The casting of this iconic NCIS character nearly got the show canceled

NCIS has been a ratings juggernaut for CBS. It's not only maintained its popularity for two decades, but it's managed to spawn multiple successful spinoffs. The cases are part of the show's appeal, but it's the acting, and the personality of the character that truly sets NCIS apart from its peers.

Producer Don Bellisario understood this simple fact, and staked the future of the show on it during the casting process. Bellisario felt that veteran character actor David McCallum was a perfect fit for the role of Donald "Ducky" Mallard, but CBS executives were not swayed. Not even a little.

CBS didn't want David McCallum to play Ducky

The network did not feel McCallum was good fit for their procedural drama. The reason was never made clear, but former CBS Head of Casting Peter Gold theorizes that it may have had to do with McCallum being Scottish. "I think it was because David McCallum was British," he told The Hollywood Reporter. The feeling was, 'Can you do that?' This was such an American show."

Regardless of the reasoning, Bellisario stood his ground. He believed McCallum was the perfect man for the job, and was willing the scrap the entire show if CBS did not agree. James Whitmore, a former NCIS director, recounted the tense exchange during the aforementioned THR interview.

"Don said, 'If you don’t, we're not doing the show.' He was that serious about it," Whitmore recalled. "The studio went with it, and of course, David McCallum is gold." McCallum was not only gold, he was gold for twenty years. Bellisario's gut was correct, as Ducky would go on to become one of the most beloved characters in NCIS history.

McCallum became an NCIS fan favorite

McCallum, an actor who dates back to the 1960s, was also given a chance to amass a new fanbase as an older actor. There are entire generations who know him solely for his NCIS work, and it remains to many, his signature screen credit.

Bellisario has not spoken publicly on McCallum's death, but CBS did issue a statement upon news of his passing. "David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world," the official press release read. "He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away."

We can't imagine another actor playing Ducky, and we appreciate Don Bellisario for ensuring that we never had to.