NCIS: Origins season 2 will bring back a familiar face. With a supporting cast that includes Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, Diany Rodriguez, and Caleb Foote, the first prequel in the history of NCIS focuses on the early years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, taking place at the onset of the 1990s, with Austin Stowell taking over the lead role and Mark Harmon narrating.

NCIS: Origins season 2 is just weeks away from arriving on CBS, debuting on Tuesday, October 14 at 9 PM. Although the upcoming episodes will have plenty to answer for, especially regarding the fate of Special Agent Lala Dominguez (Molino), it will also have an emotional connection to a fan-favorite actor.

CBS has revealed that NCIS: Origins season 2 will feature Adam Campbell, who will reprise his NCIS role as Young Ducky for a special episode that will serve as a tribute to the late actor David McCallum. Part of NCIS since its first year, the three-time Emmy nominee remained with the crime procedural for 20 seasons until he passed away in September 2023.

In the episode, titled “The Edge,” Ducky gets sent to Camp Pendleton. He shadows the team while they work a case, but, in the process, Ducky reconnects with Gibbs after the two crossed paths years earlier. The tribute will include McCallum’s song, also titled The Edge.

What This Means For NCIS: Origins Season 2

Executive producers and co-showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North spoke about their desire to pay tribute to McCallum in NCIS: Origins. The duo, who executive produce alongside Mark and Sean Harmon, opened up about wanting to honor the veteran actor and their excitement to bring back Campbell and feature McCallum’s song:

“We wanted to do this episode to honor the memory of our dear friend David McCallum. He was a beloved member of the NCIS family for so many years, and we’re incredibly lucky to have the talented Adam Campbell back to bring the younger version of this iconic character to life once again. We even got to feature David’s music in the episode. We’re all very excited and can’t wait for the fans to see it!”

The main NCIS series paid tribute to Ducky in a special episode of its own. It occurred as part of season 21 in an hour titled “The Stories We Leave Behind.” The team mourns Ducky’s passing and tries to find comfort by working on one of his unfinished cases. While that was more of an immediate remembrance, his inclusion in the prequel highlights McCallum’s far-reaching legacy as Ducky.

Campbell, whose television credits include the Apple TV+ comedy Loot and the short-lived sitcom Great News, appeared in four episodes of NCIS between 2014 and 2020. It’s a bit of a deep cut in the best way as it helps to demonstrate how NCIS: Origins has a strong history to pull emotional stories from.

Our Take On NCIS: Origins & Its Ducky Tribute

There is a big question around how the prequel will resolve Lala’s cliffhanger in the NCIS: Origins finale, although this casting update demonstrates how the prequel has plenty of stories to tell about Gibbs’ younger days. Along the way, it will honor an actor who is important to one of the most enduring franchises in network TV.