http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/major-crimes-finale-mary-mcdonnell-sharon-raydor-1202659890/

“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.”

Mary McDonnell Speaks Out on "Major Crimes" Death and Backlash
by David Canfield
Jan. 15, 2018


Sharon Raydor’s sudden and tragic death on "Major Crimes" sparked intense debate among ardent fans — and it hasn’t waned since the show concluded earlier this month. Now, Raydor’s portrayer, Mary McDonnell, has spoken out on the matter.

In an essay for Variety, McDonnell acknowledged the backlash against the show as well as the widespread support she received from fans, calling viewers’ reactions to Raydor’s death “sharply illuminating.”





Some "Major Crimes" viewers disliked the way the show’s protagonist was killed off several episodes before ending, not allowing her the chance to be a part of the final story line.

“I have been watching, reading, and listening to the fans’ reactions to Sharon’s death, and it’s taken me a while to find the essence of my experience,” McDonnell wrote. “I have been approached by several journalists, but in truth, I was not ready to speak until now.”





McDonnell said she had hoped “we would be able to both announce the end of the series and give a gentle warning as to the death that was coming.” Instead, the character’s death was an utter shock to viewers — and one that took on a deeper meaning in the current political context,” McDonnell wrote.

“Many fans were truly saddened, angry, and overwhelmingly frustrated,” she wrote. “I knew how much Sharon was loved. I knew she was a role model. What I hadn’t totally comprehended was how much importance she held as a symbol. And how her importance had grown since the election last year.”





In a move that outraged many viewers, McDonnell’s name was removed from the credits sequence in the episodes after Raydor was killed off.

The actress explained in her essay that she was “shocked” to see her name cut from the final episodes, adding, “Neither I nor my representatives knew this was going to happen.”



McDonnell endorsed the social media campaign in which fans replaced their online profile pictures with a shot of the actress’ name as it appeared in the series’ credits, calling it “amazing.”

“I joined the fans and changed my picture online for a few days, frankly because I was as shocked that my name was removed as they were,” she said. “I honestly felt the fans’ response to be galvanizing. My Twitter feed turned almost completely black with my name in the starring position. It was actually energizing. A lively protest. Genius!”





Nonetheless, McDonnell said in the essay that she’s “grateful” to Duff for giving her the chance to play the character, and that ongoing discussions around the controversy continue to teach her new things.

“I’ve never experienced anything quite like this in my career,” she said. “I will be studying it for a long time to come.”

http://ew.com/tv/2018/01/15/mary-mcdonnell-major-crimes/