Why was Mary McDonnell’s name removed from the final three episodes of Major Crimes?

Variety

“Yes,” says Maureen Ryan, “actor’s names often do get taken out of a show’s opening credits when that character has been killed off (or when producers want the audience to think that the character’s dead). But it’s rare for that to happen to the undisputed lead of a show — and certainly as the show is reaching its conclusion.” McDonnell, TNT and Warner Bros. TV all declined to comment on the name removal. But a studio spokesperson said it was common practice at The Closer and spinoff Major Crimes to not list a performer’s name if they didn’t appear in an episode. “But,” adds Ryan, “the death of Sharon Raydor before the series finale also simply felt jarring, and it’s hard not to view it as a storytelling misfire.”