NCIS: Why David McCallum’s Ducky Hardly Appears Now

David McCallum, who plays Donald “Ducky” Mallard, is one of the longest-standing members of the NCIS cast — but in recent seasons he has hardly appeared on the show. The original chief medical examiner for NCIS was introduced back in 2003 for the procedural drama’s pilot, “Yankee White.” Since 2018, Ducky, played by David McCallum, has appeared in fewer episodes, leading viewers to wonder whether he will be the next main character to leave. The NCIS Ducky character is well known for having a number of quirks, such as his colorful collection of bow ties and penchant for speaking to the dead while performing autopsies.