Mark Harmon is gearing up to reprise his iconic role as Gibbs in “NCIS: Origins,” diving into his character’s early days within the organization. However, fans might not have to wait long to see Harmon back as Gibbs in NCIS season 21, especially in an episode dedicated to bidding farewell to David McCallum’s character, Ducky Mallard. Following McCallum’s passing, the CBS procedural plans to pay tribute to the beloved medical examiner-turned-historian with a dedicated episode, where the team solves a case Ducky was working on before his demise.
Given Gibbs’ long-standing friendship with Ducky predating the series, it’s only natural for him to attend the planned funeral. Fortunately, NCIS season 21 won’t need to heavily emphasize Harmon’s return, given his integral role in the franchise’s history. Instead, Gibbs can respectfully pay his respects at Ducky’s funeral without much fanfare.
Interactions with other characters, including Tim McGee, won’t be necessary despite their long-standing professional relationship. Gibbs’ main focus is to honor his old friend and bid him a fitting farewell.
