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Just like\u00a0NCIS<\/a><\/em> did in Season 21, the prequel\u00a0Origins<\/em><\/a> will be paying tribute<\/a> to the late David McCallum<\/a>, who played Dr. Donald \u201cDucky\u201d Mallard on the mothership and died in 2023.<\/p>\n Adam Campbell<\/a> will reprise his role as young Ducky in NCIS: Origins<\/em>\u2018 tribute episode airing this fall. In the episode, \u201cThe Edge,\u201d CBS reveals, \u201cDucky is sent to Camp Pendleton to shadow the team while they work a case and, in the process, he reconnects with Gibbs [Austin Stowell] after the two crossed paths years earlier.\u201d An exact air date and episode number have yet to be revealed. The title of the episode comes from the iconic song by McCallum, and it will be featured in it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanted to do this episode to honor the memory of our dear friend David McCallum. He was a beloved member of the NCIS<\/em> family for so many years and we\u2019re incredibly lucky to have the talented Adam Campbell back to bring the younger version of this iconic character to life once again,\u201d co-showrunners and executive producers Gina Lucita Monreal<\/a> and David J. North<\/a> said in a statement. \u201cWe even got to feature David\u2019s music in the episode. We\u2019re all very excited and can\u2019t wait for the fans to see it!\u201d<\/p>\n Campbell played young Ducky in four episodes of\u00a0NCIS<\/em>, with his last appearance coming in Season 18\u2019s \u201cEverything Starts Somewhere\u201d<\/a> (the show\u2019s 400th episode). It was in that episode that flashbacks revealed how Gibbs (then played by Sean Harmon<\/a>, Mark Harmon<\/a>\u2018s son) and Ducky (Campbell) met, in 1980.<\/p>\n Following the Season 1 finale, North told TV Insider<\/a> that the producers were open to bringing in younger versions of characters we know from the franchise. \u201cWe\u2019re always open to that. We know how exciting that is for the fans and Gina and I as NCIS<\/em> fans ourselves, it\u2019s exciting for us. So we\u2019re always looking at that and it\u2019s definitely possible. People can stop writing me and asking for Jenny Shepard. I\u2019m aware that she\u2019s out there, and Gina. I know the young Fornell [Lucas Dixon] and that actor was incredible, so we have a lot of fun with that as well. So we\u2019re looking forward to seeing what we come up with.\u201d<\/p>\n NCIS: Origins<\/em> follows Gibbs in the early \u201990s, as he\u2019s just joined NIS. Now, in Season 2, as Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid<\/a>) continues to lead the team, Gibbs is still early in his career as a special agent. The premiere<\/a> will reveal Lala\u2019s (Mariel Molino<\/a>) fate after last finale\u2019s car crash. \u201cFacing new threats, higher stakes and defining moments that shape their professional and personal lives, one fact is certain: This team always has each other\u2019s backs,\u201d CBS\u2019s description teases.<\/p>\n NCIS: Origins<\/em> is produced\u00a0by CBS Studios. Gina Lucita Monreal, David J. North, Mark Harmon, and Sean Harmon are executive producers.<\/p>\n What are you hoping to see with young Ducky alongside this Gibbs? Let us know in the comments section below.<\/p>\n