I Just Spoke With NCIS’ Brian Dietzen About Co-Writing The David McCallum Tribute Episode, And He Told Us How The Fans Reacted To Ducky’s Farewell

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In contrast to typical length, Season 21 of NCIS, disrupted by delays due to actors and writers strikes, consisted of only 10 episodes. However, these episodes were momentous for the show as they marked two important achievements. Coinciding with this period was the airing of the NCIS franchise’s 1,000th episode. Additionally, the second episode of Season 21, titled “The Stories We Leave Behind,” honored David McCallum, who portrayed Ducky Mallard since the original NCIS backdoor pilot from JAG. Now, as Season 22 unfolds according to the 2025 TV schedule, Brian Dietzen, the actor who plays Jimmy Palmer and co-wrote this episode, has shared his thoughts with TopMob about the audience’s reactions following its broadcast.

In my latest chat with actor Dietzen and actress Elle Graper, who plays Jimmy Palmer’s daughter Victoria on NCIS, Dietzen revealed some heartfelt responses he received about the episode where his character found out that Ducky had passed away. He began by expressing:

I always feel a sense of pride when my work resonates with others, and this time was no exception. The reception we received for the project I co-wrote with Scott Williams was beyond what we could have hoped for. It wasn’t just Scott and me contributing to it; we had an entire team of talented writers and our dedicated staff providing their valuable insights. With so many people pouring their efforts into this project, there was a collective sense of responsibility to do justice to the legacy of David, who has been not only a friend but also a colleague whose impact on us is immeasurable.

David McCallum, who was a regular cast member on NCIS until Season 20, would occasionally reappear in episodes until his last appearance in the finale. He is still listed as a series regular. An episode titled “The Stories We Leave Behind” recently aired, where the team joined forces to solve Ducky’s final case before his demise. As Brian Dietzen mentioned, this episode included new material written by Scott Williams, along with flashbacks of significant Ducky moments from previous seasons.

In essence, Ducky significantly contributed to the series, but it primarily revolved around David. It was an opportunity to honor his contributions to this show and the significant role he played in turning it into the success it became. Having him as both an on-screen guide and mentor off-set was a great privilege for me. Moreover, he was more than just a colleague; he was a good friend.

On September 25, 2023, David McCallum passed away at age 96. Exactly six days prior, he had shared his life story in the show “The Stories We Leave Behind,” which aired five months later. During our chat, Brian Dietzen mentioned that he didn’t plan to write any episodes beyond Season 19’s “The Helpers” and Season 20’s “Old Wounds.” However, McCallum’s demise influenced the decision-makers to feature his voice one last time, a choice that proved successful. As Dietzen reminisced:

When our producers asked me, “Would you consider collaborating on this piece? We believe your unique style would be a great fit,” I felt incredibly humbled. After Amy Reisenbach watched the initial edit, she sent a heartfelt message saying, “You’ve done him justice, and I think we’re moving in the right direction.” Once it was broadcasted, I was pleased with the positive response and that people truly enjoyed it.

It’s pleasing to learn that both fans and CBS executives appreciated Dietzen’s tribute to David McCallum and his character in “The Stories We Leave Behind.” The episode ended with an unexpected return by Michael Weatherly, who last played Tony DiNozzo in the Season 13 finale of NCIS. Given that Weatherly had previously acted alongside McCallum, Mark Harmon, and Pauley Perrette in the JAG episodes “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown”, it was fitting that one of the original cast members was present for this farewell.

Even though Ducky Mallard is no longer part of the NCIS universe, his spirit continues to linger. The workspace he once occupied as the NCIS historian has been transformed into a communal area, affectionately called the Dr. Donald Mallard Memorial Multi-Purpose Room, but more commonly known as Ducky’s. Meanwhile, Brian Dietzen can still be seen on NCIS every Monday night at 9 pm ET, and he shared with me why fans should look forward to the upcoming spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

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2025-03-11 16:37