Mark Harmon removed from NCIS season 20 opening credits

Mark Harmon is completely out of NCIS.

Mark Harmon has been removed from the NCIS opening credits over a year after leaving.

Four episodes into the 19th season of the venerable CBS procedural, Harmon announced his departure last fall. His final hour will air on October 11, 2021.

Although that was Harmon's final NCIS episode, he remained to appear in the opening credits for the rest of the season.

That all changed on Monday's season 20 premiere, which launched a two-hour crossover event with NCIS: Hawaii, signaling the end of an era.

The show's opening credits now feature Sean Murray, who plays McGee, in the lead position, followed by Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover, David McCallum, Rocky Carroll, and Gary Cole.

Harmon disclosed his exit from the franchise for the first time months after leaving in a special featurette honoring Gibbs' legacy.

"What has always drawn me here is the character I play and to keep it fresh and to keep it challenging," the 70-year-old actor remarked before hinting that it was time to move on from this stage of his career. "Plot-wise, this character has taken the path that it did. I thought it was honest and OK with."