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‘NCIS’: Is David McCallum No Longer a Series Regular?

David McCallum’s character, Ducky, has been an NCIS mainstay for a long time. Despite that, he may not be returning as a series regular, according to a few signs.

While it’s confirmed McCallum will be returning in Season 19 of NCIS, the capacity is currently a question mark. CBS released the first press release today for the upcoming premiere on September 20. Curiously, McCallum is listed under the recurring cast and not regular. Even though he made a limited number of appearances last season, he was listed as a regular cast member.

This could mean he isn’t technically a regular on the show now. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll be seeing less of the iconic character. This change could merely be a formality, which makes sense considering Ducky doesn’t appear as often.

At the very least, Ducky should be present at the season premiere. Earlier this week Brian Dietzen posted a photo of the two working together on Instagram.

Regardless of his official status on the show, hopefully, McCallum will frequently reprise his role of Ducky in the new season.

David McCallum Reflects On Starring In ‘The Great Escape’

David McCallum has been a huge part of NCIS during its time on television. Ducky was hardly his first role though, with one of his most notable being in The Great Escape.

Knowing he’d be acting beside a star-studded cast such as James Garner, Steve McQueen, and Donald Pleasence, he still managed to keep his composure.

“Well, thankfully, life has never been able to overwhelm me,” he revealed in a 2013 interview with Media Mikes.

“I tend to enjoy and take great pleasure in all of the work that I do. And back then it was no different. When you’ve decided that your whole life is going to be as an actor, when you get opportunities to do a wonderful thing, like The Great Escape, it’s just a colossal pleasure that you look forward to with great anticipation.”

McCallum also revealed he already knew co-star Donald Pleasence before filming with him in the movie. “We had been very good friends for some time. And you can imagine how it was for the young actors. Being able to work with all of those people. I’m not usually star-struck. I’m fascinated by the number of people I’ve met working in this profession over the years. That film was a great beginning.”

And what a beginning it was. Since his appearance in The Great Escape in 1963 he’s had at least one television or movie appearance almost every single year afterward. Still acting at 87 years old as the loveable Ducky, McCallum has had quite an impressive career.