NCIS has never shied away from emotional storylines, but few have been as heartbreaking as the death of Breena Palmer. She was the beloved wife of chief medical examiner Jimmy Palmer. Introduced in season 7, Breena, played by Michelle Pierce, quickly earned viewers' love because of her kind nature and love for her husband. However, in NCIS season 18, the series shocked us all by revealing that Breena had died off-screen, leaving Jimmy a grieving widower.
Rather than a dramatic on-screen farewell, her passing was quietly introduced in season 18, leaving both characters and viewers grappling with the weight of her loss. While NCIS has killed off multiple characters in its long run, this particular storyline hit close to home for many viewers who were faced with a global pandemic in 2020. Breena’s death on NCIS was not driven by typical behind-the-scenes reasons like cast departures or contract negotiations, making it a standout on the long-running procedural series.
NCIS' Breena Died Of COVID-19 Offscreen
Jimmy Was Devastated
In NCIS season 18, episode 7, "The First Day", we learn that Breena Palmer, wife of Dr. Jimmy Palmer, died from COVID-19 complications in December 2020. This revelation came as a surprise, as Breena's death happened offscreen and was not previously mentioned. After her death, Jimmy grappled with his loss while maintaining his professional responsibilities, highlighting the pandemic's profound personal impact.
The decision to incorporate Breena's death into the storyline was part of a conscious effort by the show's creators to reflect the real-life ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brian Dietzen, who plays Jimmy, explained that the producers told him about Breena’s death beforehand, emphasizing their intent to have the pandemic affect the team, as it affected the rest of the world. Dietzen said (via People),
The producers let me know that we want the advent of COVID to hit our team. And yet, we don't want to lose a team member.
Breena's death allowed NCIS to address the pandemic's impact without depicting the harrowing details of her illness. This approach mirrored the experiences of many who lost loved ones during the pandemic, unable to be by their side due to health protocols. Jimmy acknowledging that he couldn't be with Breena in her final moments added a poignant layer to his grief, resonating with viewers who faced similar situations during the pandemic.
Breena Returned In An NCIS Season 19 Episode
It Was A Beautiful Moment For Jimmy
In NCIS season 19, episode 13, "The Helpers", Breena made an emotional return, though not in the way viewers might have expected. Breena appears in a heart-wrenching vision experienced by her widowed husband, Jimmy, as he fights for his life. The episode saw Jimmy and Kasie Hines exposed to a deadly biotoxin. As Jimmy struggled to stay alive, he hallucinated Breena, who appeared to comfort and guide him through his near-death experience. Their conversation was bittersweet, filled with love, longing, and the pain of their relationship ending too soon.
But Breena reassured Jimmy, encouraging him to keep fighting and to embrace the love he still had in his life, especially for their daughter, Victoria. This episode offered a deeply sentimental moment for both Jimmy and the audience, providing long-awaited closure while also reinforcing his resilience. Seeing Breena again, even in a vision, was a powerful way to honor her memory and showcase the lasting impact of love and loss.
Breena's return episode also reminded fans of the emotional depth the series can deliver, making it one of NCIS' best episodes, especially within season 19. Jimmy seems to have moved forward with his love life after Breena's tragic death, and in recent seasons, Palmer has developed a complex relationship with Jessica Knight.
Where You've Seen Breena Actress Michelle Pierce Before
She's Been Acting For Over A Decade
While Michelle Pierce is best known for her role as Breena Palmer on NCIS, she has also appeared in several other TV shows and movies throughout her career. Her television credits include guest-starring roles on popular series such as CSI: NY, Criminal Minds, Days of Our Lives, and Rules of Engagement. In these roles, Pierce showcased her versatility, portraying various characters from crime victims to love interests.
In addition to television, Pierce has also appeared on the big screen. She appeared in the 2013 drama Brother's Keeper, starring alongside Michael Rooker and Ray Wise. Pierce also acted in the first film of the Transformers series, and the horror thriller, The Monkey's Paw in 2013. The actress' 2022 NCIS episode is her last acting credit, but hopefully, Michelle Pierce returns to our screens very soon.
