Will Mark Harmon Return to NCIS for Ducky Tribute Episode?

Published: November 29, 2023

Will Mark Harmon Return to NCIS for Ducky Tribute Episode?

By Movieguide® Staff

After NCIS mainstay David McCallum died earlier this year, many fans hoped a tribute episode dedicated to his character, Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, would mean the return of other fan favorites.

“McCallum played chief medical examiner-turned-NCIS Historian Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard for all 20 seasons, most recently appearing (remotely) in the final two episodes of Season 20 last spring. He had been the show’s last remaining original cast member following the exit of series lead Mark Harmon early in Season 19,” TVLine reported.

Movieguide® previously reported on McCallum’s death:

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years,” CBS said. “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 of film and television that will never go away.”

“We will miss his warmth and endearing sense of humor that lit up any room or soundstage he stepped onto, as well as the brilliant stories he often shared from a life well-lived. Our hearts go out to his wife Katherine and his entire family, and all those who knew and loved David,” the network’s statement concluded.

Since his passing, fans have clamored for the return of actors like Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo and Emily Wickersham.

However, that might be easier said than done.

TVLine’s Matt Webb Mitovich explained, “The fact is that — any scheduling/availability issues aside — you can’t simply ‘bring back’ Gibbs. Or DiNozzo. Or any of the above. No matter how much their presence might be warranted for this occasion.”

“I mean, you can absolutely bring back Gibbs — especially if Mark Harmon knows about it. But then you’ll have to commit some dialogue/screen time to coaxing updates out of the team’s taciturn former leader,” he continued, adding that some explanation for each character would be required if they returned for a memorial episode.

While Harmon hasn’t confirmed a return, he has teased the possibility.

“He’s probably sitting in a stream up in Alaska fishing,” he joked of his character. “Is he going to get out of the stream? I don’t know. But if he is, I don’t know about it.”

“We might see Gibbs again,” added Rocky Carroll, who plays Leon Vance on NCIS. “I think as long as this show stays on the air, there will always be a little bit of a tease that we might see Gibbs again.”

Whether or not previous characters make an appearance to honor Ducky, fans can rest assured that the show will continue for another season.

NCIS Season 21 will premiere on Feb. 12, 2024.

Movieguide® previously reported on Harmon:

Mark Harmon is revealing some secrets about his time on NCIS, including the name his character almost had.

“I didn’t expect to like the script as much as I did when I first read it,” Harmon told Entertainment Tonight. “I was reading other things and I was also trying to stay home — young family and I wanted to try and be home more.”

So, what changed his mind?

“I read ‘Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ and thought, ‘Huh, I like that name,’” Harmon explained. “And then for a brief second when I decided that I liked the idea of the project, the name changed. Bob Johnson or something like that. And I went, ‘No, no, it’s gotta be Leroy Jethro Gibbs.’ The creator said, ‘No, you can’t play a guy named Leroy Jethro Gibbs,’ and I said, ‘Why not?’” the actor and writer continued. “And then it went back and I was happy about it.”