After nearly two decades as the endearing Chief Medical Examiner on NCIS, Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard’s character seemed to fade into background. But unlike typical character write-offs, Ducky’s retirement reflects a deeper, respectful transformation—rooted in actor David McCallum’s own feelings and life changes.
Feeling “Redundant” After 20 Seasons
In 2018, McCallum confided that he sensed his character had become “a little redundant.” He realized Ducky’s role in the autopsy lab no longer offered new storylines or character growthapnews.com+15fandomwire.com+15curiousworld.net+15express.co.uk. Recognizing this, he approached the series with the idea of stepping back, paving the way for his assistant, Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen), to take over.
A Soft Exit—Passing the Torch to Jimmy Palmer
Ducky officially stepped down as Chief Medical Examiner, allowing Jimmy Palmer to rise to the roleen.wikipedia.org+7sportskeeda.com+7curiousworld.net+7. Instead of disappearing, he embraced a new position: NCIS Historian. This retained his presence while refreshing his on-screen purpose . Showrunner Steven D. Binder praised McCallum’s enduring presence, calling him “magical pixie dust” that enhances every sceneinterviews.televisionacademy.com+15curiousworld.net+15thecinemaholic.com+15.
Slowing Down to Spend Time with Family
In real life, McCallum was nearing 85 when he expressed a need to reduce his workload. He openly discussed wanting to spend more time with his wife Katherine, their children, six grandsons, and beloved cat, Nickiereddit.com+3screenrant.com+3thecinemaholic.com+3. His decision wasn’t age-driven—more a desire to shift into a pace that respected both his life and the show’s integrity.
Becoming the NCIS Historian
The transition to historian allowed Ducky to continue contributing meaningfully. Positioned as the keeper of the agency’s institutional memory, he provided mentorship and narrative context for the team—especially Jimmy Palmerfandomwire.com+6screenrant.com+6thecinemaholic.com+6reddit.com+15sportskeeda.com+15fandomwire.com+15. The shift wasn’t forced—it was an elegant, character-driven evolution.
Creative Resolution Without Loss
Producers countered McCallum’s plan to exit by giving his character a new direction. Binder noted they could still bring Ducky into episodes meaningfully, without overwhelming McCallumreddit.com+11curiousworld.net+11thecinemaholic.com+11. This balanced approach preserved the character’s legacy while respecting the actor’s limits.
Legacy Honored in Tribute
Following McCallum’s passing in 2023, NCIS honored his memory with a moving tribute episode, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” written by Brian Dietzen and aired in Season 21 curiousworld.net+12ew.com+12fandomwire.com+12. The team worked through one last case connected to Ducky’s records and shared heartfelt remembrances—an authentic goodbye to both character and actor.
The Impact of His Role Reduction
Less Screen Time, More Significance
Ducky’s appearances dwindled to a few episodes per season, but each one remained impactful and meaningful .
Fans Felt the Change
NCIS viewers noted the wise absence, attributing it both to McCallum’s age and the workload of the production .
Institutional Memory Preserved
Ducky’s historian role filled a timeless niche, framing NCIS’s history and values even off-camera .
✅ Final Take
Ducky’s retirement was never abrupt—it was a thoughtful evolution influenced by McCallum’s intuition and needs. Feeling redundant, desiring more family time, and still wishing to serve the team’s narrative, he became NCIS’s conscious memory. In the end, this ensured his character remained beloved—and deeply missed.
❓ FAQs
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Why did Ducky stop being the Medical Examiner?
McCallum felt the role had become redundant and creatively limited after 20 yearsew.com+8fandomwire.com+8reddit.com+8. -
Did David McCallum retire from NCIS?
He didn’t retire outright—he withdrew from full-time duty and moved into a part-time historian roleapnews.com+15fandomwire.com+15sportskeeda.com+15looper.com. -
How did the show handle his reduced role?
By transitioning his character to historian—mentoring Jimmy and appearing selectivelyexpress.co.uk+2express.co.uk+2reddit.com+2fandomwire.com+1express.co.uk+1. -
When did Ducky officially retire?
Around Season 16 (2018), he announced his retirement and new narrator duties beganimdb.com+15sportskeeda.com+15reddit.com+15. -
How was his legacy honored?
In Season 21’s tribute episode, the team celebrated Ducky’s life and impact in a heartfelt, emotional send-offexpress.co.uk+3ew.com+3fandomwire.com+3.
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Ducky’s journey reminds us: sometimes stepping back isn’t stepping away—it’s making space for lasting impact and legacy.
