NCIS pays tribute to late solid member David McCallum in early 2024.
McCallum, who performed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, handed away in September at 90.
There was each indication the present would discover a approach to honor the late actor, and now, particulars are starting to trickle out.
NCIS Season 21 Episode 2 pays homage to the actor and his character, TVLine stories.
David McCallum Deserves a Fitting NCIS Tribute: Who Should Return?
If you watch NCIS on-line, you realize Ducky was an integral a part of the staff. He had been part of the CBS hit since 2003.
To assist make the episode additional particular, longtime costar Brian Dietzen, who performs Dr. Jimmy Palmer, a personality integral to McCallum’s storyline, is co-writing alongside NCIS EP Scott Williams.
The highly-anticipated hour will premiere on Tuesday, February 12, at 9/8c.
NCIS co-showrunners/govt producers Steven D. Binder and David North advised the outlet, “Everyone at NCIS felt it was important to dedicate an episode that honors such a legendary actor, not to mention a dear friend.”
“In the episode, the team will learn of Ducky’s passing and reflect on their memories of him as they grieve,” the pair teased.
“And true to Ducky’s meticulous and compassionate nature, even after he’s gone, he still manages to solve one last crime with the team.”
Saying goodbye to such a legendary actor and iconic character will not be straightforward, however realizing the present is creating one thing to commemorate McCallum and Ducky helps to heal the wound.
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In September, Binder and North launched feedback that spoke about McCallum’s connection to the viewers and the story as a complete.
“For over 20 years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.”
“But as much as his fans may have loved him, those who worked side by side with David loved him that much more.”
“He was a scholar and a gentleman, always gracious, a consummate professional, and never one to pass up a joke,” Binder and North shared.
“From day one, it was an honor to work with him, and he by no means allow us to down. He was, fairly merely, a legend.
“He was also family and will be deeply missed.”
The sequence has not revealed whether or not there might be any returning faces for the episode, but it surely’d be a shock if there weren’t at the very least one comeback.
And, for a present that is spent 20 years on the air, there are many faces to select from.
Fans will undoubtedly be pulling for a cameo from Mark Harmon, who departed because the sequence lead throughout NCIS Season 19.
But there are much more cherished characters and those that portrayed them that we might like to return for this important episode, together with Cote de Pablo, Michael Weatherley, and Pauley Perrette.
While it is unlikely lots of the long-gone solid members would return, there’s all the time an opportunity they could seem by way of video tributes.
That’s all the time a great way to honor a legacy character when the actor can not in any other case commit to the time vital to be on set for filming.
NCIS Season 21: Everything We Know
We’ll hold you up to pace on any casting information for the episode because it turns into obtainable.
What are your ideas on the present confirming it is urgent on with a tribute?
Which characters with a big connection to Ducky ought to be featured in a roundabout way?
If we’re feeling the ache of McCallum’s loss, we will solely think about the way it should be for individuals who labored with him for thus lengthy and beloved him like household.
Share your ideas within the feedback beneath.
NCIS Season 21 premieres on Tuesday, February 12, 2024.
Paul Dailly is the Associate Editor for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
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