'NCIS' Season 16 Cast News Update: Another Original Mark Harmon Co-Star Reportedly Leaving After Pauley Perrette

“NCIS” may lose another original cast member following Pauley Perrette’s departure. Since only Mark Harmon and David McCallum are the remaining cast who have been in the show since it premiered in 2003, the latter is the actor who is rumored to leave the series.

Based on the reports, David McCallum who plays Donald “Ducky” Mallard in “NCIS” will make his exit soon and the show already prepared for his departure by having his character appear less in the episodes. While it is true that Ducky is not being seen as often as before, the show or the actor himself never confirmed the rumors.

The speculations about David McCallum’s exit from Mark Harmon’s CBS drama started when in “NCIS” season 16 episode 8, his Ducky character said that lines “I’m leaving to see some of the world.” The viewers took this as his way of saying goodbye since they also notice his sporadic appearances throughout the show’s sixteenth installment.

Moreover, fans noted that David McCallum only decided to reprise his role in “NCIS” season 16 after reaching an agreement with CBS. In May, the actor wrote on his Facebook page, “I am delighted to say that I have reached an agreement with CBS for Dr. Donald Mallard to stay with NCIS for Season 16. Once again it will be a limited schedule.”

He added, “That arrangement will allow me to spend time with Katherine, our children, six grandsons and Nickie (his cat).”

David McCallum’s apparent desire to spend more time with his family made fans to believe that his departure from “NCIS” is true. What’s more, the actor is already 85 years old so perhaps, there is also the angle of retirement as he is not as strong anymore.

In conclusion, there is no announcement that David McCallum is leaving “NCIS” so whether this rumor is true or not, fans will only know the answer when season 17 premieres.