Is David McCallum’s Final NCIS Episode an Emotional Rollercoaster?

The world mourned the loss of “NCIS” star David McCallum, who passed away at the age of 90. McCallum, known for his roles in TV shows like “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “Colditz,” and “Sapphire & Steel,” achieved iconic status through his portrayal of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on “NCIS.”

Regrettably, McCallum did not receive a grand farewell from “NCIS” like his co-star Mark Harmon, who left the show in 2021. McCallum made sporadic appearances in the most recent season, with his final performance as Ducky Mallard in the Season 20 finale, “Black Sky.”

While his last role was brief, it’s important to note that Ducky’s presence on “NCIS” had already diminished in the years leading up to McCallum’s final appearance. During “NCIS” Season 20, he appeared in only four episodes, consistent with the previous season, and his regular appearances became less frequent each year.

In a November 2022 interview, McCallum expressed his sense of disconnect on the set of “NCIS,” especially after many of his co-stars had left the show. Executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson acknowledged McCallum’s reduced presence on the show in a prior interview.

While it’s uncertain whether McCallum had plans to return, fans can celebrate the significant number of episodes in which Ducky appeared during his 20-year tenure on the show.