NCIS writers revealed how the beloved CBS show will pay tribute to late actor David McCallum during the upcoming season.
McCallum – who passed away of natural causes at age 90 in September – had played Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard in over 450 episodes spanning all 20 seasons of the long-running series.
Season 21 is set to kick off on February 12, with a special tribute dedicated to Ducky airing during the second episode on February 19.
On Thursday, CBS released the official synopsis of the episode, which read: ‘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.’
The network also released a gallery of photos from the episode.
NCIS writers revealed how the beloved CBS show will pay tribute to late actor David McCallum during the upcoming season
McCallum – who passed away of natural causes at age 90 in September – had played Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard in over 450 episodes spanning all 20 seasons of the long-running series
In December, showrunners Steven D Binder and David North revealed to TV Line: ‘Everyone at NCIS felt it was important to do 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,’ they added.
‘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,’ they teased.
They also added that actor Brian Dietzen, who plays Ducky’s protege Jimmy Palmer in the series, is co-writing the episode with executive producer Scott Williams.
The showrunners wouldn’t confirm any surprise cameos for the episode, though they did tease, ‘There will also be a very touching and special moment you won’t want to miss.’
The showrunners also released a touching statement after the beloved actor’s passing in September.
‘For over 20 years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard,’ they began.
‘But as much as his fans may have loved him, those who worked side by side with David loved him that much more,’ they added.
Season 21 is set to kick off on February 12, with a special tribute dedicated to Ducky airing during the second episode on February 19
On Thursday, CBS revealed the official synopsis of the episode, which read: ‘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’
The network also released a gallery of photos from the episode
In December, showrunners Steven D Binder and David North revealed to TV Line : ‘Everyone at NCIS felt it was important to do an episode that honors such a legendary actor, not to mention a dear friend’
‘From Day 1, it was an honor to work with him and he never let us down. He was, quite simply, a legend,’ they concluded.
Longtime NCIS star Mark Harmon added in a statement in September, ‘“David lived a great, full, long life. I was in awe when I first met him and all of us on the show were honored to have toed a mark opposite him. My condolences go out to Katherine and his family.’
McCallum’s career has spanned numerous decades. Even before capturing hearts as Ducky, he made his mark back in 1961 with the role of Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E TV series.
