David McCallum’s real reason for quitting NCIS – | TV Shows

David McCallum, the actor behind the iconic Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, has been a fan favorite since the show’s beginning. Although he never fully departed from the CBS series, David chose to reduce his role over time.

The late actor had considered leaving for good, believing Ducky’s narrative had run its course, but the producers had other plans. In an interview, David shared insights about his character’s evolution: “Now he’s retired. I sort of realized the character was becoming a little redundant,” he explained.

“I sort of decided to leave the show, and they said, ‘No, we’d like to make you the historian so you’re still a part of the show.'” This transition allowed Ducky to remain integral to the team as their historian, while Jimmy Palmer, portrayed by Brian Dietzen, took over as chief medical examiner in 2018. David expressed that the producers were keen to keep him involved with a renewed storyline.

“It meant that CBS liked that I was around,” he remarked. “So I became the historian in a great episode,” David continued, highlighting how writer Steven Binder crafted a unique twist for Ducky, including envisioning his younger self.

Ducky’s journey on NCIS concluded during season 21 when the character died peacefully in his sleep, reports the Mirror US.

Fans expressed their thoughts about the new room on social media.

One fan commented: “‘Meet me at Ducky’s Place…’ A perfect tribute to our beloved Dr Mallard.”

Another fan exclaimed: “Ducky’s office is now a multipurpose room. I love it,” while a third fan said: “They’re calling it Ducky’s! I’m obsessed.”