Say it isnt so! Even though Mark Harmon was definite that he was leaving NCIS hope remained as long as his image still showed up every week in the opening credits. But with the season 20 premiere all traces of Harmon who played Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs has been removed.

The new opening credits start with a quick montage of the entire new cast followed by an image of Sean Murray (Timothy McGee) who has been on the series since season 1 when he was recurring but became a series regular in season 2 then Wilmer Valderrama (Nick Torres) Katrina Law (Jessica Knight) Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer) Diona Reasonover (Kasie Hinds) David McCallum (Donald Ducky Mallard) Rocky Carroll (Leon Vance) and finally Gary Cole (Alden Parker).

Harmon left the show in the fourth episode of season 19 when Gibbs who had just wrapped up a case with McGee in Alaska decided to stay in the 49th state where he had found peace.

What has always drawn me here [to NCIS not Alaska] is the character I play and to keep it fresh and to keep it challenging Harmon said addressing his exit for the first time on the season 19 NCIS DVD Being Gibbs special feature. Plot-wise this character has taken the path that it did. I thought it was honest and OK with Im not retired. The character is living in Alaska as far as I know.