NCIS star Brian Dietzen shares big series milestone

NCIS favourite Brian Dietzen has shared an exciting update with fans about the show's 19th season, as the actor confirmed he's just completed a series first.

As season 19 of NCIS continues to air in the US – it will be available in the UK on Disney+ next year – Dietzen revealed that he's co-written his very first episode of the show.

The actor, who plays the Naval Criminal Investigative Service's chief medical examiner Dr Jimmy Palmer, announced the news with a sneak peek of his work on social media.

Fox

In an Instagram post shared on Thursday (November 25) to mark Thanksgiving, Brian said that he was feeling thankful for the opportunity to embark on a "great" writing "adventure".

"In a word… grateful," he began. "You guys, I got to write a script of @ncis_cbs with my pal @mostxsw and it's been a great adventure so far."

Alongside the photo of himself and the script, which sadly doesn't give away the episode's title, the NCIS favourite continued: "We jump into filming this bad boy after the Thanksgiving weekend, and I couldn't be more excited.

Instagram

"It's my first time writing for the show, and it's been a great experience. I'll keep you guys updated along the way. So pumped to share this with you all. Giving many thanks this week!"

Meanwhile, in other NCIS-related news, the long-running procedural's new lead Gary Cole opened up about a change in tone following Mark Harmon's recent exit.

mark harmon as ncis special agent leroy jethro gibbs, sean murray as ncis special agent timothy mcgee, ncis

Bill Inoshita/CBS via Getty Images

Comparing his character Alden Parker to the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Cole explained to TV Insider: "Parker isn't overly chatty, but he is more verbal. He's not as old school; he tries to get his hands on new tech gadgets and impress everybody.

"He's trying to fit in with the rest of the team. Although he may be reluctant to voice it, he admires that Gibbs breaks rules. Parker bends them."

NCIS airs on CBS in the US.