Because the long-running CBS franchise returns this week, star Brian Dietzen tells Navy.com why now was the precise time to launch a behind-the-scenes podcast and replicate on NCIS’ legacy.
After greater than twenty years on tv, the NCIS franchise is coming into one other main milestone.
The long-running CBS procedural returns with its midseason premiere because the franchise prepares to have fun its five hundredth episode later this month—a uncommon achievement in trendy tv. On the identical time, the community is launching a brand new behind-the-scenes podcast hosted by sequence veterans Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover, which can take followers deeper into the world of NCIS.
For Dietzen, who has performed Dr. Jimmy Palmer for greater than 20 years, the timing felt proper to replicate on the present’s legacy whereas the franchise continues to develop. With three sequence now airing on Tuesday nights and the flagship present nearing its five hundredth episode, NCIS is experiencing a uncommon second for a tv drama: celebrating its previous whereas persevering with to increase its universe.
That momentum, Dietzen mentioned in an unique interview with Navy.com, made now the best time to launch a companion podcast for followers.
It felt like the precise time as a result of we’ve acquired the NCIS night time again once more. We will have fun a present that has such a legacy however remains to be on the air.
The Tuesday night time lineup now consists of NCIS, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney, placing the franchise again on the heart of CBS’s primetime schedule.
The brand new podcast, NCIS: Companions & Probies, goals to provide followers a more in-depth take a look at how the sequence has stayed on the air for greater than 23 seasons.
NCIS Returns With Its Midseason Premiere
When NCIS first premiered in 2003 as a by-product of JAG, few have predicted it will change into probably the most sturdy procedural dramas in tv historical past.
Greater than 20 years later, the present continues to attract thousands and thousands of viewers weekly and has expanded into a world franchise, now together with a number of spinoffs and an enormous worldwide viewers.
The midseason premiere marks the start of a busy stretch for the present because it approaches episode 500—a milestone reached by solely a handful of scripted tv sequence.
For Dietzen, who joined the present in its first season and ultimately turned a sequence common, the longevity of NCIS remains to be one thing he doesn’t take with no consideration.
A part of the present’s attraction, he mentioned, comes from its deal with the characters reasonably than merely the instances. He mirrored on the present’s storytelling method.
Our exhibits usually are not ripped from the headlines, they’re ripped from the characters.
That character-driven storytelling has helped the sequence keep its viewers by main solid adjustments, evolving storylines and shifting viewing habits throughout the TV panorama.
New Podcast Takes Followers Behind the Scenes
Launching alongside the present’s return is NCIS: Companions & Probies, a brand new weekly podcast that can discover the historical past and behind-the-scenes tales of the franchise.
Hosted by Dietzen and Reasonover, who performs forensic scientist Kasie Hines, the podcast will characteristic conversations with actors, producers, writers and different artistic forces who’ve helped form the NCIS universe over the previous twenty years.
Somewhat than merely recapping episodes, the podcast takes an interview-driven method, diving deeper into how the present is made and the folks behind it. Friends will embrace solid members from throughout the broader NCIS franchise in addition to administrators, producers and technical consultants who assist make sure the present precisely portrays the work of investigators and navy personnel.
Picture: Gaye Ann Bruno/Heidi Rubin/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Dietzen mentioned the format may even give followers the prospect to submit questions for visitors, permitting the viewers to take part immediately within the conversations.
For longtime viewers, the podcast presents a uncommon alternative to listen to from the folks answerable for creating one in all tv’s longest-running franchises.
The Street to Episode 500
The upcoming five hundredth episode of NCIS, airing March 24, represents a serious milestone not only for the present however for community tv as a complete.
In an period when many streaming sequence battle to achieve even a number of seasons, hitting 500 episodes locations NCIS in uncommon firm amongst tv dramas. The present has constructed its longevity by a mixture of procedural storytelling, evolving character relationships, and a tone that balances drama, humor and emotional moments.
Over time, the sequence has adopted brokers of the Naval Legal Investigative Service as they examine crimes involving members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps—starting from espionage and terrorism to homicide instances that influence navy households.
The system has confirmed remarkably resilient, permitting the present to stay related at the same time as the tv business continues to evolve.
Now, with three separate NCIS exhibits airing and a brand new podcast increasing the franchise, the model seems stronger than ever.
Why the Present Resonates With Navy Audiences
For a lot of viewers, notably these related to the navy neighborhood, NCIS has lengthy provided a mixture of leisure and familiarity.
The present incessantly works with real-life navy advisers and consultants to make sure that its depictions of investigations involving the Navy and Marine Corps stay grounded in actuality.
Over time, Dietzen mentioned he has heard numerous tales from service members who watched the sequence whereas deployed abroad or throughout downtime between missions. In reality, he recalled sending DVDs of the present to a relative serving overseas earlier than streaming providers turned frequent.
These experiences have made the present’s connection to navy audiences particularly significant for the solid and crew.
We really feel so honored that we get to entertain our troops in any manner.
Because the franchise prepares to hit its five hundredth episode and launch a brand new podcast exploring its historical past, Dietzen hopes the present continues to supply viewers—together with service members stationed around the globe—an opportunity to loosen up and join with characters who’ve change into acquainted faces over time.
“I’m hoping this podcast serves to entertain and inform the those that assist us each single day,” Dietzen mentioned.
Skip navigation Search Create 9+ Avatar picture Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover Set the Stage for NCIS Companions & Probies
After greater than twenty years on the air, NCIS exhibits no indicators of slowing down. And with episode 500 on the horizon, the franchise seems poised to continue to grow. For followers who’ve adopted the crew because the starting, the following chapter of the franchise is simply getting began.
All three sequence within the NCIS universe—NCIS, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney—returned to CBS on March 3, bringing the franchise again to a full night time of programming for followers.
New episodes air on CBS and are additionally out there to stream on Paramount+ after broadcast.
The companion podcast, NCIS: Companions & Probies, hosted by Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover, is on the market on YouTube and main podcast platforms. You possibly can watch the very first episode within the video above.
Upcoming visitors embrace:
- March 3: Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover (launch episode)
- March 10: Wilmer Valderrama (NCIS)
- March 17: Mariel Molino (NCIS: Origins)
- March 24: Frank Cardea and Steve Binder (showrunner roundtable)
