What’s the True Reason ‘NCIS’ Kept Mark Harmon in Opening Credits for 11 Months?

The decision to keep Mark Harmon’s name in the opening credits of ‘NCIS’ for almost a year after his departure was due to several reasons. The show’s producers didn’t want to say goodbye to the beloved character of Leroy Jethro Gibbs right away, as fans were concerned about the show’s future without him.

Gibbs left the show at the beginning of Season 19, but the showrunners decided not to update the credits mid-season. They wanted to keep Gibbs present in some capacity, and his departure had left a significant impact on the team. They opted to keep his name in the credits for over a year.

The decision not to remove Harmon’s name was also partly due to practical considerations. At the time, it wasn’t definitively decided that Gibbs would not return, and removing him from the credits would have been a complex task. It would have required further changes in an already challenging season.

When Season 20 arrived, they replaced Mark Harmon’s name with Sean Murray, who plays Timothy McGee.

Mark Harmon’s decision to leave the series after 19 seasons was primarily influenced by age and his desire to spend more time with his family. The demanding schedule of working long hours five days a week had become challenging for him, and he had passed the age of 70. He wanted to prioritize spending time with his wife, Pam Dawber, and his children. Harmon had been hinting at his departure since the 15th or 16th season, but his dedication to the show kept him on for longer than he had initially planned.