Who plays Ducky on 'NCIS'?

For now, viewers can enjoy the occasional appearance from Ducky, but just like any of the cast members his future at NCIS is anything but certain
PUBLISHED SEP 16, 2022
David McCallum in 'NCIS' as Ducky (IMDb)
David McCallum in 'NCIS' as Ducky (IMDb)

'NCIS' is a police procedural television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service combining elements of the military drama and police procedural genres. The concept and characters were initially introduced in two episodes of the CBS series JAG. 

In 2011, 'NCIS' was voted America's favorite television show in an online Harris Poll. The series finished its tenth season as the most-watched television series in the US during the 2012-13 network television season. On April 15, 2021, 'NCIS' was renewed for a nineteenth season, which premiered on September 20, 2021, with its next spin-off, 'NCIS: Hawaiʻi'. On March 31, 2022, NCIS was renewed for the twentieth season, which is scheduled to premiere on September 19, 2022. However, let's find out more about who plays Ducky on 'NCIS'.

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In recent years, McCallum has gained renewed international recognition and popularity for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the television series 'NCIS'. In season 15, Ducky retired from the role of ME to become an 'NCIS' historian, with his autopsy colleague Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) taking his place. In season 19, episode 5, “Face the Strange,” Ducky returned to autopsy to assist Palmer shortly after Gibbs’ exit, leading to a poignant scene where Palmer begs Ducky to stay a little longer. Sadly, with the series lead Mark Harmon's departure from the show in the fall of 2021 (Season 19), McCallum became the last remaining member of the original NCIS cast. 

David McCallum first gained recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E'. Anyhow, it is unlikely that he will increase his appearances on 'NCIS' again. For now, viewers can enjoy the occasional appearance from Ducky, but just like any of the cast members his future at 'NCIS' is anything but certain.

As of late April 2012, it was announced that McCallum had reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension with CBS-TV. The move meant that he would remain an 'NCIS' regular past his eightieth birthday. In May 2014 he signed another two-year contract. He signed an extension in 2016, beginning a limited schedule in 2017 and since then has renewed his contract for each season separately.

However, 'NCIS' in its 20th year is ready to serve up a “Season of Love.” It is all set to premiere on Monday, September 19, 2022, at 9/8c.

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