Plot details have been revealed for the NCIS episode addressing the loss of David McCallum’s Ducky.
A new look has been unveiled at the David McCallum tribute episode of NCIS.
In Sept. 2023, David McCallum passed away at the age of 90. The actor was known for playing Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in NCIS, and his death will be addressed in a Season 21 episode of the show set to air on Feb. 19. Per TVLine, new images and plot details have also been revealed for the episode, which is titled, “The Stories We Leave Behind.” The episode will simultaneously serve as a tribute for McCallum while honoring the Ducky character by having the other NCIS characters speak about the fond memories they share of their late friend.
The official synopsis of the episode reads, “As NCIS mourns the loss of Ducky, the agents find comfort in working on one of his unfinished cases involving a woman whose father was dishonorably discharged from the Marines.”
“Everyone at NCIS felt it was important to do an episode that honors such a legendary actor, not to mention a dear friend,” series showrunners Steven D. Binder and David North also said about the episode in a statement. “In the episode, the team will learn of Ducky’s passing and reflect on their memories of him as they grieve. 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. There will also be a very touching and special moment you won’t want to miss.”
David McCallum’s Ducky Will Be Very Missed
David McCallum played Ducky in all previous 20 seasons of NCIS, and he was one of the longest-serving original cast members following Mark Harmon’s exit from the show in Season 19. His tribute episode is co-written by Scott Williams and cast member Brian Dietzen, whose Dr. Jimmy Palmer character had been a protégé of McCallum’s Ducky. At the time of the actor’s passing, a statement shared by the NCIS showrunners said of McCallum, “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.”
NCIS will return with the premiere of Season 21 on Monday, Feb. 12. The David McCallum tribute episode, titled “The Stories We Leave Behind,” will air the following week on Feb. 19.