NCIS: Is David McCallum’s Ducky leaving after Season 16?

David McCallum has had a limited role in NCIS Season 16. Will Ducky leave the series after this current season?

We know that an original character from a long-running TV show is going to exit. That exit is going to play out over the next few weeks/couple of months. It may be that David McCallum is the exit that’s been hinted at for a while. Is Ducky leaving NCIS after Season 16?

Episode 16, titled “Bears and Cubs,” certainly suggests that he will. After an initial question of it being McGee who would leave, this week feels like it’s certainly going to be Ducky instead. At the very end of the episode, our favorite medical examiner who has been with the show from the very first episode made it clear to Gibbs that his future wouldn’t involve NCIS.

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That made it sound like it was McCallum who was saying his future wouldn’t involve NCIS. It would be sad — and Ducky even says that he is going to miss the team/family — but if this is the case, it’s understandable. McCallum has already stepped back from the show over the last couple of years, opted for a limited time to spend his time with his family.

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While we’ve not had Ducky on the show that much in Season 16, he’s certainly been missed. Every time he pops back up, we’re reminded just why we love him so much. NCIS has certainly done an excellent job in bringing Jimmy into this lead role, being a second Ducky, almost, but that doesn’t mean we’re ready to say goodbye to David McCallum.

There will likely be more episodes to follow with Ducky in them. The next new episode will hopefully give us more information but, for now, it looks like Ducky is leaving NCIS.

Will you still watch if Ducky leaves permanently? What have been your favorite moments with David McCallum? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.