NCIS cast warn fans of possible death in finale: 'No character is safe'

On Monday night, NCIS season 21 comes to a close with an episode that could very well be curtain call for one member of the NCIS team. 

From the moment CBS dropped the promo for the season 21 finale, “Reed Madness,” last Monday night fans have been on edge and worrying about the fate of both Agent Parker and Agent Knight, who both found themselves in less-than-ideal situations within the promo.

In the promo, Parker is knocked to the ground and trapped under what appears to be a tall pole or pipe of some kind while Knight is seen trapped underwater and drowning. Needless to say, fans are extremely worried about the fate of the two characters and it sounds like we have reason to be. 

Brian Dietzen hints that someone might die in the NCIS season 21 finale

While its Knight and Parker who find themselves in grave danger within the promo, it seems they might not be the only two agents fans should worry about when watching the season 21 finale on Monday night. During an interview with Deadline, longtime cast member Brian Dietzen, who plays Jimmy Palmer on the series, hinted that audiences should worry about “a lot of characters” adding that no one is ever safe on the show. 

“They shouldn’t just be worried about Gary Cole, they should worry about a lot of characters. No character is safe, that’s what NCIS stands for,” Dietzen told Deadline. 

While it’s hard to tell just how seriously we should take Dietzen’s warning, this is NCIS and character deaths are not uncommon as we’ve bid farewell to many characters over the years. Whatever dangers are lurking around the corner in the season 21 finale, it does seem that no matter what happens, the events of the finale are going to bring a lot of changes to the show via shifts in the dynamics of several characters. 

“There are a lot of things that are going to be happening, not just the danger that our characters are put through, but also dynamics that are going to be shifting. Potentially even between Jimmy and Jess, this couple that has been fantastic for the last two years. I have to say, it’s my favorite finale script that we’ve had in years. It’s so good,” Diezten teased of the episode.

It doesn’t sound like Parker is in danger or that Gary Cole is leaving NCIS

While Brian Dietzen has teased that there could be a death coming in the season finale of NCIS, it sounds like Agent Parker should be safe. 

When speaking with Deadline, Gary Cole seemed to all but confirm that he is not leaving the show at the end of this season and that we shouldn’t be saying goodbye to Parker in the finale episode of season 21. As Cole teased, “Nobody told me if I am. You’ll have to watch to find out but, no.”

It’s, of course, possible that Cole was simply looking to avoid giving away any spoilers about a possible exit from the show. However, given the way in which he responded to Deadline’s question about departing the show, we have a good feeling Cole will be sticking around next season and won’t be leaving the series.

Don't miss the NCIS season 21 finale, Monday, May 6, at 9/8c on CBS!