Adam Campbell, portraying a young Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard in NCIS: Origins, expressed excitement about reprising the role in an upcoming episode. The episode centers on Ducky assisting the team to prove Dr. Tango's innocence after an arrest for stealing human remains from a national park. Campbell described the return as a treat for fans, offering deeper insights into key characters.
In Tuesday's episode of NCIS: Origins, Dr. Tango, played by Julian Black Antelope, faces arrest for allegedly stealing human remains from a national park. Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard steps in to help the team at Camp Pendleton clear his name, as revealed in an exclusive sneak peek from TVLine. The storyline also uncovers skeletons—literally—in an old van trunk, adding tension to the investigation led by young Gibbs and his colleagues. Campbell, who first appeared as young Ducky in season 2, episode 3, called being summoned back by the NCIS team 'the best feeling in the world.' He credited the character's enduring appeal to David McCallum's original portrayal, saying, 'I've been really welcomed... That's all because of what David did with the character.' Campbell added that it is a 'real privilege and honor' to continue McCallum's legacy. The actor promised viewers more background on Ducky's emotional state, Tango's family heritage, and even Gibbs' childhood boat-building hobby, which Ducky reacts to. 'It's a treat for the fans to learn a bit more about these characters,' Campbell said. Campbell's debut episode, titled 'The Edge,' paid tribute to McCallum, who died in September 2023 at age 90 after two decades as Ducky on NCIS. That installment featured Ducky aiding Lala with a brain injury, treating Franks' wounds, and gifting Gibbs a ship in a bottle, sparking the agent's return to his old hobby. It ended with an 'In Memoriam' card dedicated to McCallum, incorporating his 1966 song.