When original episodes of the popular CBS series NCIS resume in February, it will also be the 90th anniversary of the death of David McCallum, the last remaining original cast member of NCIS. McCallum passed away on September 25 from natural causes at the age of 90. McCallum played the role of chief medical examiner and NCIS historian Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.
Steven D. Binder and David North, co-showrunners and executive producers of NCIS, provided TVLine with an exclusive statement. They said, “Everyone at NCIS felt it was important to do an episode that honors such a legendary actor, not to mention a dear friend.”
The crew will find out about Ducky’s passing in the episode and grieve while thinking back on their memories of him. And in keeping with his thorough and kind attitude, Ducky continues to work with the team to solve one final case after his passing.
When is the David McCallum tribute on NCIS?
Along with executive producer Scott Williams, Brian Dietzen, who started in a recurring role as Ducky’s assistant Jimmy Palmer before joining the permanent cast in Season 10, will appropriately co-write the special tribute episode. Ducky moved on to become the historian, and Jimmy—who had been quietly completing his medical degree—took over.
The tribute show is slated to premiere on February 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Will Mark Harmon return for Ducky’s memorial episode on NCIS?
It is presently unknown whether or if past cast members like Mark Harmon or Michael Weatherly will make a cameo appearance in an episode of NCIS. The show stars Gary Cole, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Kristina Law, Dietzen, Rocky Carroll, and Diona Reasonover.
In their remarks to TVLine, Binder and North did allude to something unique: “There will also be a very touching and special moment you won’t want to miss.”
Following McCallum’s passing in September of last year, Binder and North released the following statement:
David McCallum won over people all over the world for more than two decades as the perceptive, eccentric, and occasionally mysterious Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. Even if David’s admirers may have loved him, people who collaborated with him liked him even more. Working with him was an honor from the beginning, and he never let us down. He was a legend, to put it simply.
The 21st season of NCIS premieres on February 12; the tribute episode airs on CBS on February 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
