Characters come and characters go, a minimum of that’s the case for these beloved reveals. Whether or not it’s on one of many greatest sitcoms of all time, an exhilarating epic fantasy sequence, or crime dramas holding down a spot on the primetime lineup for many years, these packages all have one factor in widespread: they misplaced a fan-favorite earlier than the ultimate episode (and even remaining season).
Listed below are 32 TV reveals that misplaced their lead character throughout their run…
The Workplace (2005 – 2013)
After being the greatest character on The Workplace for the present’s first seven seasons, Steve Carell’s Michael Scott left Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton workplace again in 2011. Although he would return in a visitor capability within the remaining season, the absence of the awkward, excitable, but hilarious regional supervisor might be felt within the sequence’ remaining days.
That ‘70s Present (1998 – 2006)
That ‘70s Present had the most effective runs of any sitcom launched within the remaining years of the twentieth century, one that may keep it up till Might 2006. Nonetheless, the sitcom’s principal character, Topher Grace’s Eric Forman, wouldn’t be there for all of it. The actor, whose reputation was rising on the time, left the present after its seventh season. He would return within the sequence finale one 12 months later.
Two And A Half Males (2003 – 2015)
Amid contract negotiations and a string of controversial incidents, Charlie Sheen left Two and a Half Males and stopped enjoying fan-favorite Charlie Harper, following the hit sitcom’s eighth season in 2011. Probably the most standard reveals on TV on the time, the CBS comedy would proceed for 4 extra seasons, with Ashton Kutcher approaching to play Walden Schmidt
Cheers (1982 – 1993)
A mainstay of Cheers for the present’s first 5 seasons, Shelley Lengthy’s Diane Chambers left the pleasant Boston bar for good when she was given the chance to change into an expert author. Nonetheless, Diane would later return close to the tip of the present’s remaining season in 1993.
ER (1994 – 2009)
Whether or not it was Anthony Edwards’ Mark Greene being killed off in a spectacular means or George Clooney’s Doug Ross departing following a significant scandal, ER misplaced a number of of its principal characters all through its 15-season (and 331-episode) run on NBC. Nonetheless, the present at all times appeared to rebound from even the largest losses.
Legislation & Order (1990 – Current)
Numerous beloved characters have come and gone from Legislation & Order over time, together with NYPD detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), who was a mainstay of the authorized drama for 12 years. The sequence continues to be on right now (after being revived in 2022), however few of the detectives on the present have come near touching the greatness of the wisecracking cop.
Three’s Firm (1977 – 1984)
The late Suzanne Somers grew to become a family identify for her portrayal of Chrissy Snow on Three’s Firm again in 1977. One of many three leads by means of a lot of the present’s run, Somers departed the sequence after its fifth season. The sitcom would run for 3 further seasons after Somers left.
Scrubs (2001 – 2009)
Although Zach Braff’s Dr. John Michael “J.D.” Dorian was technically a part of the Scrubs forged till the final episode of Season 9 (he’s additionally returning for the upcoming reboot sequence), he solely confirmed up in lower than half of the ultimate run. Possibly it was for one of the best, as a result of these episodes had been of a far decrease high quality than the earlier eight seasons.
Bewitched (1964 – 1972)
That is an odd one just because the Darrin Stephens character on Bewitched was written off, however as an alternative recast close to the tip of the present’s run. Performed by Dick York for the primary few seasons, Elizabeth Montgomery’s on-screen husband was later performed by Dick Sargent within the remaining years of the landmark sitcom a few witch attempting to cover her true nature from the world round her.
Mother (2003 – 2021)
When the primary star of a present leaves partway by means of the sequence run, it may be a nightmare for his or her co-stars and crew members, and that was the case when Anna Faris departed the hit CBS comedy Mother in 2020. Although the present continued for another season after Christy Plunkett was written off, the absence of the previous lead might be felt.
One Tree Hill (2003 – 2012)
One of many largest reveals of the 2000s, One Tree Hill was a perennial favourite of The WB (and later The CW) by means of a lot of its nine-season run. Nonetheless, the nice instances didn’t final the entire time, as Chad Michael Murray, who performed lead Lucas Scott, departed after season 6 alongside Hilarie Burton’s Peyton Sawyer.
Gray’s Anatomy (2005 – Current)
One of many longest-running reveals in TV historical past, Gray’s Anatomy has at all times been recognized for its large forged of characters. And whereas there are some, like Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Gray, who’ve been there all alongside, others have come and gone. One of many largest is Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd, aka “Dr. McDreamy,” who was killed off within the present’s eleventh season.
Glee (2009 – 2015)
In the course of Glee’s profitable run on Fox, the favored musical sequence misplaced one in every of its principal characters when the actor who performed him tragically died. In July 2013, Cory Monteith, who performed Finn Hudson, died on the age of 31.
The Strolling Lifeless (2010 – 2022)
So many characters got here and went on The Strolling Lifeless, which is to be anticipated contemplating it was a present set within the zombie apocalypse. Nonetheless, one of many largest departures got here within the present’s ninth season when Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes was written off the massively profitable present.
Home Of Playing cards (2013 – 2018)
Home of Playing cards was a present with one stunning second after one other, together with the time the Netflix sequence needed to discover a method to eliminate its principal character earlier than the sixth and remaining season. After Kevin Spacey discovered himself in authorized bother, the present’s producers determined to kill him off and keep it up.
Blue’s Clues (1996 – 2006)
Steve Burns’ Steve was primarily the one human character on the hit Nick Jr. sequence, Blue’s Clues, for the present’s first 4 seasons. Nonetheless, the actor left the animated present and was changed by his character’s youthful brother, Joe (Donovan Patton). Burns would later go on to seem within the Flaming Lips’ wild 2008 sci-fi movie, Christmas on Mars.
The O.C. (2003 – 2007)
One of many principal characters by means of the present’s first few seasons, Mischa Barton’s Marissa Cooper was killed off in heartbreaking vogue in The O.C.’s Season 3 finale. Following the departure of the tortured teenager, the present lasted another season earlier than coming to an finish.
Charmed (1998 – 2006)
Prue Halliwell, performed by the late Shannen Doherty, was one of many principal characters within the first three seasons of Charmed. Although her destiny was initially left up within the air following a Season 3 cliffhanger, it was later revealed that Prue died after her run-in with a strong demonic murderer.
Laverne & Shirley (1976 – 1983)
Probably the most standard spinoffs of all time (the characters originated on Completely happy Days), Laverne & Shirley ran for eight seasons on ABC between 1976 and 1983. Nonetheless, whereas Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio stayed round for the entire run, it was a special story for Cindy Williams’s Shirley Feeney. Williams, who was pregnant on the time, departed partway by means of what would finally be the ultimate season.
Recreation Of Thrones (2011 – 2019)
Although Recreation of Thrones had quite a few “principal” characters over the course of its eight-year run, Sean Bean’s Ned Stark was one of many largest within the first season. Creating one of the vital stunning moments in TV historical past, Ned misplaced his head earlier than the tip of the primary 12 months, which set the tone for the unpredictable nature of the sequence shifting ahead.
The Vampire Diaries (2009 – 2017)
The Vampire Diaries was on the air for eight seasons between 2009 and 2017, however The CW’s standard book-to-screen adaptation misplaced its principal character, Nina Dobrev’s Elena Gilbert, two-thirds of the way in which by means of. Although her character didn’t die, Debrov left for different alternatives.
Spin Metropolis (1996 – 2002)
The favored satirical comedy sequence, Spin Metropolis, ran on ABC for six seasons between 1996 and 2002, with most of these being led by Michael J. Fox as New York Metropolis deputy mayor Mike Flaherty. Nonetheless, a few years after Fox was identified with Parkinson’s illness, the actor left the sequence after its fourth season, together with his character being written off by shifting to Washington, D.C.
The Wire (2002 – 2008)
The Wire’s forged was stuffed with unimaginable actors enjoying a number of the greatest characters to ever grace the small display screen. One of many main gamers within the landmark HBO sequence’ first three seasons was Idris Elba’s Stringer Bell, a ruthless and bold drug lord who aspired for greater than working the corners in Baltimore. Nonetheless, he made far too many enemies and he was brutally killed within the present’s Season 3 finale.
Oz (1997 – 2003)
Although Oz had a killer ensemble forged all through the HBO sequence’ run between 1997 and 2003, it misplaced one in every of its lead gamers when Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Simon Adebisi was killed off within the present’s fourth season. Think about followers’ reactions the next 12 months when he confirmed up in 2001’s The Mummy Returns.
Roseanne/The Conners (1988 – 2025)
Not lengthy after Roseanne was introduced again to TV in 2018, its star, Roseanne Barr, was fired within the fallout of a controversial tweet. The present was shortly cancelled and morphed into The Conners, which ran for seven seasons earlier than coming to an finish in 2025.
NCIS (2003 – Current)
Loads of folks have left NCIS over time, however the CBS crime drama continues to be one of the vital standard reveals on community TV. Maybe the largest character to come back and go for the reason that present’s 2003 debut is NCIS Supervisory Particular Agent and Particular Agent in Cost Leroy Gibbs, performed by Mark Harmon, who stayed on by means of the nineteenth season. Discuss longevity.
8 Easy Guidelines For Courting My Teenage Daughter (2002 – 2005)
8 Easy Guidelines for Courting My Teenage Daughter, later shortened to 8 Easy Guidelines, had a pleasant little run on ABC again within the early 2000s, and even helped launch the profession of Kaley Cuoco. The sequence was initially led by John Ritter, however his character, Paul Hennessy, was written off after the Three’s Firm and Downside Little one star immediately died on the age of 54 whereas taking pictures the second season.
Misplaced (2004 – 2010)
Very like the present’s story, speaking about principal characters dying on Misplaced is a bit complicated, contemplating the non-linear construction of the long-running ABC drama sequence. Quite a few characters like Shannon Rutherford (Maggie Grace), Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau), and Charlie Tempo (Dominic Monaghan) had been written off and introduced again in a while within the sequence.
Homeland (2011 – 2020)
A once-great present that went on means too lengthy, Homeland had its fair proportion of stunning moments and remaining episodes for main characters. On the high of that checklist is Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a former prisoner of conflict whose true alliances are ambiguous by means of a lot of the present’s first three seasons. Nonetheless, his time would come to an finish a number of years into the run when Brody was hanged in a public execution in Iran.
Boardwalk Empire (2010 – 2014)
Michael Pitt’s Jimmy Darmody was just about the 1B result in Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson within the first two seasons of Boardwalk Empire, however the up-and-coming gangster wouldn’t survive the 2011 season finale. The sequence would run for an additional three seasons earlier than coming to an finish in 2014.
Downton Abbey (2010 – 2015)
Dan Stevens’ Matthew Crawley was simply one in every of a number of fan-favorite characters to be killed off throughout Downton Abbey throughout the present’s unique run. The third-cousin, as soon as eliminated of the Earl of Grantham, the character didn’t make all of it that lengthy within the grand scheme of issues earlier than dying in a automotive accident throughout the present’s third season.
Sons Of Anarchy (2008 – 2014)
Sons of Anarchy had an epic run on FX within the latter a part of the 2000s by means of the early 2010s, and in that point, so many fan-favorites received killed off. Probably the most horrifying got here within the present’s fifth season when the beloved Opie (Ryan Hurst) was brutally murdered in jail. Some by no means got here again after that.