NCIS: Why David McCallum's Ducky Hardly Appears Now
In recent NCIS seasons, Ducky has appeared in fewer and fewer episodes, leading viewers to wonder if he will be the next character to leave the show.
Donald "Ducky" Mallard is one of the longest-standing members of the NCIS cast—but in recent seasons he has hardly appeared on the show. The original chief medical examiner for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service was introduced back in 2003 for the procedural drama’s pilot, “Yankee White.” Since 2018, Ducky, played by David McCallum, has appeared in fewer episodes, leading viewers to wonder whether he will be the next main character to leave NCIS after Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon).
Ducky is well known for having a number of quirks, such as his colorful collection of bow ties and penchant for speaking to the dead while performing autopsies. During his time as NCIS' M.E., these one-sided conversations, sprinkled heavily with nostalgia, were amusingly interrupted when Gibbs walked through the autopsy door unannounced. The development of his character has been at times surprising. As the seasons progress, the polite and eccentric scientist’s backstory is revealed, with certain episodes proving that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Dr. Donald Mallard—so much so, it is hard to imagine that NCIS could survive without both Gibbs and Ducky. An example of Ducky's arc in season 6, episode 16, “Broken Bird,” goes back to when Ducky was working for the Royal Army Medical Corps. The story follows his 1980 trip to an Afghanistan refugee camp where, due to his inadvertent association with a torturous CIA interrogator, Ducky was later charged with war crimes.
As it stands, Ducky is here to stay at NCIS—albeit in a limited capacity. In season 15, Ducky retired from the role of M.E. to become NCIS historian, with his autopsy colleague Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) taking his place. Since then, Ducky's appearances have waned, leading to speculation about whether he will appear in future seasons, and how his exit might look when it does happen—a proper retirement or a shocking on-screen death, like Caitlin Todd's. To other characters, Ducky is a father figure. 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.
Speaking of Ducky's role change, David explained that appearing in fewer episodes will allow him to see more of his family, which includes his wife, children, six grandsons, and their cat, Nickie. He said, “I am delighted to say that I have reached an agreement with CBS for Dr. Donald Mallard to stay with NCIS for Season 16. Once again it will be a limited schedule. That arrangement will allow me to spend time with Katherine, our children, six grandsons, and Nickie” (via Facebook). It is unsurprising that he would want to slow down his pace a little and take a back seat from all the on-screen NCIS autopsy dead bodies.
At 88 years old, David—who became a household name in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E.—is not as youthful as he once was. 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. When the day comes that Ducky finally hangs up his NCIS hat, his exit will surely be suitably marked, along with a guest appearance from Gibbs. The pair's history goes back a long way, and it would be fitting for the show to give Ducky his perfect legacy, just like Gibbs.
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