Adam Campbell Returns as Young Ducky in NCIS: A Tribute to David McCallum
The NCIS and NCIS: Origins worlds are set to intersect once more in season 2, honoring the legendary Ducky.
Adam Campbell, who portrayed Young Ducky in the flagship series, is returning to his role in an upcoming episode of NCIS: Origins, CBS confirmed on Thursday, August 28.
This fall installment will serve as a tribute to the late David McCallum, who played the beloved Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS for two decades. Campbell played the younger Ducky in four episodes of the original series from 2014 to 2020.
“We aimed to create this episode in honor of our cherished friend David McCallum. He was a treasured member of the NCIS family for so many years,” said NCIS: Origins showrunners and executive producers Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North in a joint statement.
Monreal and North added, “We’re incredibly fortunate to have the talented Adam Campbell return to bring the younger version of this iconic character back to life. We even incorporated David’s music into the episode. We can’t wait for the fans to experience it!”
In the upcoming episode titled “The Edge,” Campbell’s Ducky is “assigned to Camp Pendleton to shadow the team while they tackle a case,” as per the official logline. There, Ducky “reconnects with Gibbs [Austin Stowell] after their paths crossed years prior.”
NCIS fans were first introduced to the OG Ducky — the chief medical examiner — during the series premiere in 2003. McCallum continued portraying the esteemed doctor for 20 seasons before stepping back from the show in 2022.
Throughout his time, viewers were privy to Ducky’s profound bond with Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a relationship unlike any other in the agent’s life.
Less than a year after his departure from the series, McCallum passed away in September 2023 at age 90 from natural causes.
The NCIS family quickly paid tribute to David, who is survived by his wife, Katherine McCallum, their children—sons Paul and Peter, daughter Sophie, and many grandchildren.
“We are deeply saddened by David McCallum’s passing and privileged that CBS was his home for many years,” CBS and NCIS studio CBS Studios stated in 2023. “David was a talented actor and author, beloved worldwide. He lived an extraordinary life, and his legacy will endure through his family and the countless hours of film and television he left behind.”
The studios continued, “We will miss his warmth and the endearing sense of humor he brought to any space he entered, along with the incredible stories he often shared from a life well-lived. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Katherine, their family, and all who adored David.”
NCIS commemorated David with a mini-marathon on CBS that month, also featuring an “In memoriam” card.
Subsequently, the series orchestrated a larger tribute during a February 2024 episode of NCIS, where Ducky’s character passed away, prompting the team to grieve on-screen.
Michael Weatherly, who played Special Agent Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo for 13 seasons until 2016, made a guest appearance in this episode as a special homage to the characters who cherished Ducky.
“Are we here to celebrate a great man, or what?” DiNozzo remarked in the season 21 episode, as he joined current medical examiner Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) in the coroner’s office before the funeral. “I thought Duckman would appreciate a bit of DiNozzo magic at his celebration.”
DiNozzo then assisted Jimmy in adjusting his bowtie, a nod to Ducky’s favorite accessory. He attempted his best British accent, reminding Jimmy that, as Ducky always said, it’s not merely the “stories we leave behind” that matter but rather the lives we’ve “touched.”
NCIS: Origins, on the other hand, follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Stowell) at the beginning of his career in NIS during the ‘90s, long before he became the head of NCIS’ Washington, D.C., headquarters.
In season 1, viewers were introduced to a young Gibbs as well as his mentor, a young Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid). The season finale featured Gibbs’ future second wife, Diane Sterling (Kathleen Kenny), in a brief cameo, hinting at the continuation of their storyline. The appearance of Young Ducky will also provide insight into Gibbs’ early days.
Season 2 of NCIS: Origins premieres on CBS on Tuesday, October 14, at 9 p.m. ET.
