NCIS star David McCallum is the show’s last surviving original cast member. He has played Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard since the pilot episode aired in 2003. In fact, he created the character in a JAG episode that later served as the NCIS backdoor pilot. Ducky has appeared less and less on the show over the years, and he’s even changed jobs. Now, in season 20, McCallum has hinted that his beloved character may be on his way out.
Why has David McCallum’s role on ‘NCIS’ been reduced?
Ducky was the chief medical examiner for the Naval Cr1minal Investigative Service when NCIS first aired nearly two decades ago. He was a valuable member of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) team and appeared in nearly every episode.
For the next 15 years, McCallum was a full-time cast member, and his interactions with Gibbs were at the heart of NCIS. However, in 2018, he decided to make some significant changes. Because the actor requested a reduced role due to his advancing age and desire to spend more time with his family, they began reducing his number of appearances each season.
Ducky retired as a medical examiner in season 15 and was replaced by his assistant Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen). They also gave Ducky the new part-time job of NCIS historian so he could appear on the show on occasion. However, at the age of 89, McCallum appears to be ready to retire completely. That means Ducky could be done after season 20.
Ducky’s end could be near, according to David McCallum.
According to Express, McCallum confirmed in his most recent interview that he only has two episodes left on his current contract. He’s only appeared in two episodes of season 20 so far: “Unearth” and “Leave No Trace.” With filming continuing until the spring, those final two episodes are likely to be included in the season’s second half.
“If and when they need me, I’ll be going out to shoot it, health permitting,” he said. “To put it mildly, retirement is a work in progress!”
This does not mean that McCallum will leave NCIS after season 20. Every season, the actor negotiates a new contract, and it’s possible he’ll agree to a few more in season 21 if CBS renews the show.
‘NCIS’ showrunner Steven D. Binder explains why Ducky was absent for the majority of season 19
It was McCallum’s decision a few years ago to take on a reduced role, but the pand3mic made it even more difficult for him to work. The C0V1D restrictions kept him away from the set even more in season 19, and the writers were preoccupied with Gibbs’ departure from the show.
After all of that, showrunner Steven D. Binder hoped that fans would see more of Ducky in season 20.
“One of the challenges last season was that there was no regular season,” Binder explained.
“It began with all of our energies focused on how to get Gibbs off the show.” How do we get him out for the time being? And that requires a lot of energy, a lot of time, and a lot of oxygen.”
Fans will have to wait and see if NCIS gives Ducky a fitting send-off at the end of this season, as they did for Gibbs in season 19.
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