When NCIS bid farewell to Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard and paid tribute to the late actor David McCallum, fans were left wondering about the absence of Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
In an interview with TVLine, coshowrunner Steven D. Binder addressed Harmon’s absence, assuring fans that when Gibbs returns, it will be for something significant. He emphasized that the door is always open for Harmon to reprise his role as Gibbs, despite his departure from the series after 19 seasons in 2022.
During the tribute episode, Gibbs was notably absent in person but made his presence felt through a package sent to Agent Timothy McGee, containing a Polaroid capturing a moment with Gibbs, McGee, and Ducky from seasons past. Flashback clips showcased Gibbs and Ducky’s past collaborations at NCIS.
While Ducky’s character didn’t pass away on the show until the episode, McCallum, who portrayed him since NCIS’ debut in 2003, passed away in September 2023 at the age of 90. CBS had promised to honor the late star during season 21, which was delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Although Harmon didn’t return for the farewell episode, Michael Weatherly, another NCIS icon, made a brief cameo. Weatherly, who left the series in 2016 after 13 seasons as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, brought his trademark charm to the scene, offering words of wisdom to Jimmy Palmer, Ducky’s protégé.
Binder and coshowrunner David J. North explained the decision to bring back Weatherly’s character, citing his close connection to Jimmy and his ability to inject levity into the episode seamlessly.
As fans eagerly await Gibbs’ potential return and continue to mourn the loss of Ducky and McCallum, NCIS continues to captivate audiences with its compelling storytelling and beloved characters. Tune in to CBS Mondays at 9 p.m. ET to catch the latest episodes.
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