NCIS has stated goodbye to many beloved characters through the years.
Sadly, the collection should say goodbye to Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard following David McCallum’s loss of life in September.
CBS and people near the present have but to disclose whether or not a tribute episode is within the works, however there isn’t any means the collection will proceed and not using a becoming tribute to an actor who introduced a lot to the present.
For a collection that is been on the air for 20 years, there was numerous solid turnover, which means the present has a wonderful alternative to deliver again some individuals who have been lengthy gone to assist say goodbye to Ducky.
However who ought to return for the large occasion?
Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Harmon’s time on the wheel concluded with NCIS Season 19, however Gibbs appeared pleased along with his new outlook on life.
He left his crew within the trusty fingers of Gary Cole’s Agent Alden Parker, nevertheless it at all times appeared like a short lived hiatus to maintain Gibbs within the groups’ orbit if one thing occurred.
Gibbs and Ducky have had an excellent relationship since NCIS Season 1, so we think about that Harmon shall be excessive on producers’ want lists to stage a comeback.
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For his half, Harmon hasn’t dominated out returning, and we think about it will be enjoyable to return for an episode right here and there versus being locked into 20+ episode seasons.
Broadcast TV has the tightest manufacturing schedules, and it have to be exhausting.
Cote de Pablo as Ziva David
There is a motive why followers clamored for de Pablo’s return once we have been led to imagine that Ziva had been killed off-screen: She’s probably the greatest characters within the franchise.
Ziva additionally had many memorable encounters with Ducky whereas on the crew.
It might make excellent sense for her to wish to pay her respects to such a cherished member of her former crew.
The excellent news? We all know Ziva’s alive and nicely after de Pablo staged a short-term comeback as a part of one of the vital surprising storylines in NCIS historical past.
Michael Weatherley as Tony DiNozzo
Weatherley was one of the vital standard actors on the present for 13 seasons, and even years later, followers have been bellowing for his return.
For his half, Weatherley has been teasing a comeback left, proper, and middle, however we can’t imagine it is taking place till CBS confirms it.
There’s nonetheless some uncharted territory for Tony and Ziva, so it would not shock us if Weatherley returned alongside de Pablo to pay tribute to Ducky.
Within the course of, followers can study what the couple has been as much as within the years since their supposed reunion.
Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto
Abby had a unbelievable bond with Ducky, however there is a excessive probability Perette is not going to be thinking about returning to the collection.
Perrette departed throughout NCIS Season 15 and has been vocal numerous occasions about not being thinking about returning.
Perrette and Harmon had an enormous falling out, and it does not look like one thing they’ve labored by.
The one probability I see of the actress returning is that if Harmon declines to return for the episode, as nicely.
One other risk entails Abby showing by way of a video message.
We’ll want to attend for some updates on NCIS Season 21 to seek out out what’s taking place on that entrance.
Emily Wickersham as Ellie
Wickersham’s departure from NCIS Season 18 stays one of many collection’ largest mysteries.
It got here out of nowhere and left us with extra questions than solutions.
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Ellie getting back from her top-secret mission would undoubtedly go away followers begging for her to share the display screen with Wilmer Valderamma’s Nick Torres.
The collection appeared to set us up for an additional NCIS romance for the ages, nevertheless it wasn’t meant to be.
Sadly, we do not assume a one-episode stint would deliver that storyline to a detailed.
However Ellie was a giant a part of the crew for a number of seasons, so bringing her again can be a good suggestion.
Whether or not Wickersham is able to return is unclear, however we’ll eagerly await solutions.
Maria Bello as Dr. Jack Sloane
Maria Bello’s three-season run on the collection wrapped in March 2021.
Followers linked with Jack Sloane in a giant means, so a return as she pays tribute to Ducky, a person with whom she had a storied historical past, can be fascinating.
It is also price noting that Sloane had fairly the reference to Gibbs, and we would not thoughts seeing them revisit it.
Many different faces may very well be seen once more, however the above six are the individuals whose returns we imagine would have probably the most vital affect.
These six returning and their myriad of connections to different characters may go away newer crew members out within the chilly, or it might present a cherished bridge between the outdated and the brand new that viewers will always remember.
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Provided that the collection has been on the air for twenty years, there are a lot of connections between numerous crew members, however the stars would wish to align to deliver them to life once more.
Schedules are an element, and on condition that NCIS and most different broadcast reveals have been delayed because of the twin Hollywood strikes, the collection is going through an accelerated manufacturing schedule to get new episodes on the air early subsequent yr.
That signifies that schedules will not be as malleable as earlier than, and a few people who find themselves thinking about revisiting NCIS might not be capable of stage a comeback.
The necessary factor is that the inevitable tribute to Ducky is befitting of the character, the actor who portrayed him, and his many contributions; the present won’t ever be the identical with out him.
What are your ideas on who ought to return for a tribute episode?
Hit the feedback under.
NCIS Season 21 is ready to premiere on Monday, February 12, 2024.
Paul Dailly is the Affiliate Editor for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
