Fans of the hit crime procedural series ‘NCIS’ will soon say their final goodbyes to a beloved character, as David McCallum’s au revoir is set to be marked with a much-awaited farewell episode.
The absence of an iconic role like Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in the beloved series set since its inception within the NCIS media franchise will undoubtedly leave a void in the hearts of viewers. Over the seasons, McCallum’s portrayal of the chief medical examiner at NCIS became an integral part of the show’s success, due to which this upcoming special has grabbed the attention of the fandom, making it even more crucial for them to set a reminder in advance.
The details were released as per a report by TVLine, which confirmed that after playing Mallard for 20 seasons, the actor’s departure from the show caused by his sudden death, six days after his 90th birthday on September 25, 2023, will be addressed in a tribute episode scheduled to air next year on Monday, February 19, 2024, on CBS. The episode will be co-written by Brian Dietzen, who plays Dr. Jimmy Palmer on the drama, and executive producer Scott Williams also helped to pen the episode.
In an exclusive statement to the outlet, NCIS co-showrunners/executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North said:
“Everyone at NCIS felt it was important to do an episode that honors such a legendary actor, not to mention a dear friend. In the episode, the team will learn of Ducky’s passing and reflect on their memories of him as they grieve. And true to Ducky’s meticulous and compassionate nature, even after he’s gone, he still manages to solve one last crime with the team.”
The showrunners also added, “there will also be a very touching and special moment you won’t want to miss.”
McCallum died of natural causes at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City on Monday, September 25, 2023.
The actor’s family also shared a statement by recalling Mr McCallum as a “true renaissance man.” His son Peter McCallum said, “He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before self.” Further adding, “He was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge. For example, he was capable of conducting a symphony orchestra and (if needed) could actually perform an autopsy, based on his decades-long studies for his role on NCIS,” Peter McCallum added.
Additionally, CBS also shared their condolences in a statement, quote:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years. 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. 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.”
We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years. 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… pic.twitter.com/1UgOz7pQ8g
— The NCISverse (@ncisverse) September 25, 2023
NCIS Season 21 Official Release Date and Time Slot
After months of waiting, the network has finally confirmed the official release date of NCIS Season 21, which has been set to premiere next year on Monday, February 12, 2024, from 9 to 10 p.m. on CBS. The season premiere will be followed by its sister show, NCIS: Hawai’i Season 3, which has also been set to air on the same day in the time slot of 10 to 11 PM on the same broadcasting network. Later, all the brand-new episodes will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount Plus.
You can watch all the earlier episodes of NCIS exclusively on the CBS official website or the CBS app, depending on the user’s location, which will also later be available to watch on the official website. The viewers may also watch as it airs live through platforms like YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV. In order to receive updates on when the show premieres, interested viewers can also enable notifications on the streaming services.
The series is also available on FuboTV, and Netflix, along with all the prior seasons. The viewers can also stream it by renting or purchasing it on Vudu, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, and Google Play, with a vast number of membership plans. Moreover, the series is also available to watch exclusively on Pluto for free based on the viewer’s location. If you don’t have access to the content because of geo-blocking, we recommend trying out any suitable VPN to stream the series.
At last, take a look at the official release date announcement, quoting, “The countdown starts now—#NCIS Season 21 and #NCISHawaii Season 3 premiere February 12 on CBS. We can’t wait to see you there! #NCISverse”
The countdown starts NOW — #NCIS Season 21 and #NCISHawaii Season 3 premiere February 12 on CBS. 🎉 We can’t wait to see you there! #NCISverse pic.twitter.com/wH5qndvpR7
— The NCISverse (@ncisverse) November 13, 2023