Adam Campbell returned to the NCIS franchise to play young Dr. Ducky Mallard after a five-year absence. NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 3 paid tribute to the late David McCallum, and after the episode wrapped, Campbell discussed being back after so long and the possibility that we might see more of his version of Ducky.
Such a fan-favorite shouldn't be let go so quickly, and it seems Campbell feels the same. He's also developed a great working relationship with Austin Stowell. Neither Campbell nor the NCIS: Origins showrunners have made anything official, but there’s still room for hope.
Adam Campbell reflects on what it was like to play Ducky again on NCIS: Origins
The actor admitted he was nervous about returning to the role, especially since it was such an emotional moment and all eyes were on him, both on and off camera. Regarding the possibility of more episodes featuring him being in the works, Campbell joked with TheWrap that he's "wearing a shock collar in case I say the wrong thing."
But in his characteristic way, he teased that there's a real opportunity for Ducky to come back more. This might not be a one-time appearance, and fans can hope Campbell's Ducky becomes a recurring character — if not a permanent one.
NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 3 explored whether there’s a need for an in-house M.E.
Campbell's Ducky is welcomed with skepticism by most of the Camp Pendleton team. But as we saw in the episode, he managed to win them over one by one, even Mike Franks. He's "such a charming, disarming character", as Campbell said himself. Ducky is a comfort to everyone around him.
He also found his way to becoming the Ducky fans know and love from the original NCIS. He starts treating the bodies as patients — talking to them, listening to them. It's clear he is the extraordinary medical examiner Gibbs always believed him to be.
If headquarters decides that the Pendleton office needs its own full-time M.E., there'd be no one more fitting than Ducky, especially after how he bonded with the team during this episode.
Campbell’s return isn’t just a nostalgic callback; it’s proof that Ducky’s legacy still has stories left to tell. Whether his time at Camp Pendleton expands or not, his presence enriches NCIS: Origins with the same compassion and intellect that defined the original series, and fans are eager for more.
NCIS: Origins airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS.
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