By Michaela Gordoni
Adam Campbell, who appeared in NCIS in flashbacks as young Donald “Ducky” Mallard, will reprise his role in NCIS: ORIGINS Season 2 in a tribute to the main Ducky actor, the late David McCallum.
“We wanted to do this episode to honor the memory of our dear friend David McCallum,” NCIS: ORIGINS co-showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North said. “He was a beloved member of the NCIS family for so many years, and we’re incredibly lucky to have the talented Adam Campbell back to bring the younger version of this iconic character to life once again. We even got to feature David’s music in the episode. We’re all very excited and can’t wait for the fans to see it!”
The episode is named after McCallum’s 1966 release, “The Edge.”
“Ducky is sent to Camp Pendleton to shadow the team while they work a case,” the logline reads. “In the process, he reconnects with Gibbs after the two crossed paths years earlier.”
Related: Will Mark Harmon Return to NCIS for Ducky Tribute Episode?
This will be Campbell’s first appearance in the ORIGINS series.
McCallum died at age 90 from “natural causes” in 2023.
CBS said in a statement, “David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world. He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away.”
“He was a scholar and a gentleman, always gracious, a consummate professional, and never one to pass up a joke. From day one, it was an honor to work with him and he never let us down. He was quite simply, a legend,” said NCIS executive producers North and Steven D. Binder.
McCallum starred as Ducky for 20 seasons, from 2003 to 2023. NCIS previously gave McCallum a tribute episode in 2024, titled “The Stories We Leave Behind,” Entertainment Weekly reported.
The episode features Ducky’s mentee, Jimmy Palmer, who finds Ducky deceased in his home. Palmer, who’s played by Brien Dietzen, actually wrote the episode.
The team works to solve Ducky’s final case with a single clue he left: “Our answer lies with the team, however cluttered it might be.” As they work together, they all recall their best moments with the chief medical examiner.
The Hollywood Reporter said NCIS: ORIGINS Season 2 will premiere on Oct. 14 on CBS. Monreal and North executive produce with Mark Harmon, who played Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, and Harmon’s son, Sean Harmon.
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