On Monday, “NCIS” fans were sh0cked to learn that longtime series star David McCallum had d1ed at the age of 90. McCallum’s career included a number of memorable movie roles, including his breakout role as Illya Kuryakin in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” in the 1960s.
In the years since that TV show ended, McCallum has garnered more notice for his roles as Flight Lieutenant Simon Carter on “Colditz” and Steel on “Sapphire and Steel.”
Despite his popularity in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, McCallum is likely best recognized now for his 20-year role as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the long-running CBS procedural series “NCIS.”
McCallum, one of the show’s main cast members, left nearly as lengthy a mark on “NCIS” as the series’ longtime star, Mark Harmon. It’s no surprise, then, that some fans are already asking if McCallum got to film any scenes as Ducky for “NCIS” Season 21 before his d3ath this week.
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is no. Because of this year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, zero episodes of “NCIS” Season 21 have been filmed thus far. No WGA members have been permitted to write new scripts for any strike productions or firms since May 2.
Meanwhile, no SAG-AFTRA members have been permitted to film or promote any strike-related projects since the guild’s strike began on July 14.
As a result, McCallum did not get to film any additional scenes as Ducky this fall or summer.
David McCallum was not expected to play a significant role in NCIS Season 21
Several former and present “NCIS” stars have reacted to David McCallum’s passing in the hours since it was reported. Indeed, there appears to be a sense of shared sadness among the show’s creative team members and viewers.
Those same fans will almost certainly have to contend with the reality that McCallum’s performance as Ducky in the “NCIS” Season 20 finale has now been retrospectively transformed into his final appearance as the character.
Having said that, it appears unlikely that the longstanding “NCIS” star would play an active role in the series’ upcoming 21st season.
In a recent 20th-anniversary interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “NCIS” executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson confirmed as much. Johnson stated during the interview, which took place prior to McCallum’s d3ath, that “David McCallum doesn’t do that much in the series anymore.”
David is 90 years old and resides in New York. He could return for four or five episodes. It’s become far too difficult for him, and I believe he’s ready to retire.”
All of this is to say that, aside from a possible memorial to the actor, fans shouldn’t expect to see any new sequences involving McCallum in “NCIS” Season 21.
While heartbreaking, it appears that the actor had his final performance as Ducky when he reprised his role in the “NCIS” Season 20 finale earlier this year.
As unfortunate as this is, it does not detract from McCallum’s efforts on “NCIS,” nor does it affect how fans regard his influence on the show. Johnson stated in an interview with THR that “[David] was amazing from the day he came on.”
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