NCIS Star Reveals Surprising Tribute Twist for David McCallum!

Last night’s episode of NCIS delivered an incredibly emotional tribute to David McCallum, who portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the show for an extended period.

The news of Dr. Mallard’s passing wasn’t a shock to viewers, as David McCallum had passed away in September 2023. However, the episode took an unexpected turn as it began with Dr. Jimmy Palmer, portrayed by Brian Dietzen, arriving at Dr. Mallard’s home to bring him coffee, only to discover that Ducky had passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Instead of diving straight into the typical fast-paced opening, the show opted for something different. The episode gradually transitioned into the opening sequence, with the theme song played at a slower pace than usual. This deliberate decision, though challenging, was made to set the tone for the poignant episode.

Brian Dietzen, discussing the episode, revealed the difficulties they faced after the emotional opening scene. He expressed that it didn’t feel appropriate to abruptly shift into the usual high-energy opening with explosions and action given the serious nature of the episode.

Dietzen commended the decision to slow down the intro, considering it a beautiful way to commence such an emotional tribute to David McCallum and his beloved character, Ducky. He expressed satisfaction with how they honored McCallum’s legacy and encouraged others to share their sentiments if they agreed.