NCIS Executives Discuss Surprise Ruling Out Mark Harmon: ‘Not Just for a 2-Minute Return’

The creative minds behind NCIS briefly entertained the idea of orchestrating a grand gathering akin to Avengers: Endgame for the funeral of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in a special episode paying homage to Ducky and actor David McCallum.

In a conversation with TVLine during a January 19 event that marked the NCIS franchise’s milestone of 1,000 episodes, co-showrunner Steven D. Binder revealed their initial vision: to emulate the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s poignant send-off for Tony Stark by assembling the entire NCIS cast. “Initially, we wondered, ‘Is it possible to bring everyone back?'” Binder shared.

However, the logistics of gathering all significant characters from NCIS’s extensive history quickly surfaced as a formidable challenge, far exceeding the show’s budgetary and scheduling capabilities, the executive producers acknowledged.

Moving away from the ambitious Endgame-inspired concept, Binder explained that the focus shifted to Ducky’s most meaningful relationships. While Leroy Jethro Gibbs, portrayed by executive producer Mark Harmon, would be an obvious choice due to his long-standing connection to Ducky, it was ultimately decided to highlight Jimmy Palmer’s relationship with Ducky. This decision led to the inclusion of Michael Weatherly, who reprised his role as the beloved former team member Tony DiNozzo. “It was a straightforward decision,” Binder remarked.

Weatherly’s return to the role of Tony DiNozzo was seamless, defying the nearly eight-year hiatus. “He effortlessly became DiNozzo once more, with no sign of rust,” co-showrunner North observed. “The moment he stepped into the autopsy room, it was clear: DiNozzo had returned.”

This prompts the question: if not during a tribute to a distinguished original cast member like Dr. Mallard, then when might Mark Harmon’s Gibbs make his much-anticipated return?

“Of course the door is always open,” said Binder. But, the EP pointed out, “When we bring him back, we’re not going to bring him back for two minutes” a la Weatherly’s cameo. “It’s got to be something special.”