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Summary
majuscule TV evidence that killed main characters earlyunderscore the tale impact of a well - written dying . After a show has established a character to be important to the plot of land , that somebody ’s sudden death early in the series can be especially captivating . These deaths serve to jumpstart the plot of land in an unexpected manner , drive crucial evolution in surviving plaster bandage member , or highlight the TV show ’s overarching radical or message .
Indeed , TV role deaths that no one saw comingaren’t just for surprising hearing - they typically also serve a big purpose in the overall narrative . Whether it happens in the pilot episode or the early seasons of a series , the occurrence of an early principal character ’s dying reverberates across long - run shows . Long after they ’re gone , these events cue audience that no one is truly safe in the world of fiction - especially characters who are beloved by audiences . Contrary to popular impression , killing off beloved character early is in reality not a young phenomenon is serial or television set storytelling .
10Lee Dutton (Dave Annable)
Yellowstone (2018-present)
Cast
The son of John Dutton , Lee was set up to be a master theatrical role in thepilot episode ofYellowstone , Taylor Sheridan ’s flagship Neo - Western serial publication . In the show ’s very first episode , however , Lee dies after he gets shot - the result of a territorial dispute between the Dutton ranch and the Broken Rock reservation . A dark point inYellowstone Dutton Ranch history , Lee ’s death is the catalyst of the primary conflict that drivesYellowstone . This made it clear from the root how the come through events would play out inYellowstone , which is known for its dark twists , sudden violence , and modernistic exploration of frontier Justice Department .
9Jim Taggart (Mark McManus)
Taggart (1983-2010)
The iconic Scottish police detective Jim Taggart last appeared in " Prayer for the Dead , " while his last is confirmed in the undermentioned episode , Taggartseries 11 , episode 2 , " Black Orchid . “Taggartdidn’t show how the titular character die because the actor who played him , Mark McManus , died on June 6 , 1994 , after McManus succumb to pneumonia and liver failure . Despite the show being key out after McManus ' persona , whose incumbency on the show last from 1983 to 1995 , it continued by focalise on the life sentence of other detective instead . Taggartis also known as one of the longest - running crime dramas of all prison term .
Related:10 Of The Longest Running Crime Dramas On TV , Ranked By Duration
8Paul (John Ritter)
8 Simple Rules (2002-2005)
The show ’s dad Paul Hennessy , played by John Ritter , communicate away unexpectedly early in8 Simple Rulesseason 2 , episodes 4 to 5 , " Goodbye " . The real - aliveness death of John Ritter in 2003 prompted the show ’s God Almighty to address the expiration within the storyline . Paul ’s character perish of a affection attack in the show , mirroring Ritter ’s cause of death . The series harness the challenges face by the Hennessy kinfolk in coping with this sudden loss , adding layer of worked up depth to the sitcom . The modulation from a comedic flavour to more poignant bit showcased the resilience of the home while paying tribute to John Ritter ’s substantial contribution to the show .
7Alisson Argent (Crystal Reed)
Teen Wolf (2011-2017)
bring by Crystal Reed , series conduce Alisson Argent met a tragical end inTeen Wolfseason 3 , installment 23 , " Insatiable . “She was fatally stabbed by an Oni , a supernatural entity control by the Nogitsune . Allison ’s demise pass in the heat of battle , an excited and scandalous turn of event that marked a turn point in the series . Alisson die because Reed decide to give the show in 2013 to pursue other task , and the show focus on other hero until it terminate inTeen Wolfseason 6 . Notably , however , Crystal Reed ’s return inTeen Wolf : The Moviecontinues Alisson ’s story .
6Boone Carlyle (Ian Somerhalder)
Lost (2004-2010)
Lostseason 1 , episode 20 , " Do No Harm"sees Ian Somerhalder ’s Boone Carlyle yield to injuries that he suffered one episode originally , during which he was unable to get off a crashed airplane that slither off the border of a cliff . Jack Shephard , the group ’s doctor , deemed Boone ’s condition to be decisive . Despite efforts to save him , Boone ’s injuries proved fateful . This was the first major end in the series , intensifying the mystery story surrounding the island and impacting the characters ' relationships . grant to showrunners , Boone ’s demise was imperative to the narrative ofLostseason 1 , particularly in terms of escalating the tension between contend group leader Jack and Locke .
Related : Lost : Why Ian Somerhalder ’s Boone Was The First Major Character To Die
5Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis)
Homeland (2011-2022)
Nicolas Brody , play by Damian Lewis , was publicly fulfill by hanging in Iran as part of a CIA delegacy gone amiss . The circumstances lead to his death were complex , involving political machination and personal sacrifice . Although it has been heavily foreshadowed in the show , Brody ’s dying inHomelandseason 3 , sequence 12 , " The Star"was largely unexpected due to how the show for the most part revolved around his character electric arc . At the same time , however , Brody ’s fate is a crucial part of how the fictitious character subverts traditional notions of patriotism and heroic verse , which are the central overarching themes ofHomeland .
4Bob Newby (Sean Astin)
Stranger Things (2016-present)
The dim-witted reasonwhy Bob Newby croak ahead of time inStranger Thingsis that it was part of the show ’s story plan from the outset . InStranger Thingsseason 2 , episode 8 , " The Mind Flayer,“Bob heroically helped Joyce Byers and others escape the Hawkins Lab by navigating through a tunnel filled with young demogorgons . However , just as they reached base hit , Bob was get by the beast . Despite a moment of promise , he ultimately buckle under to his accidental injury . His sacrifice had excited backlash on the mold and audience likewise , as the underdog Bob was a beloved character in the come - of - age fantasy adventure serial .
3Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins)
Westworld (2016-2022)
The disgraceful death of Anthony Hopkins ' Dr. Robert Ford - the carbon monoxide - founder of the android green - occurs inWestworldseason 1 , episode 10 , " The Bicameral Mind . “The death of Ford was a crucial beat in the acclaimed sci - fi series ' debut season stopping point , as he was felled by a heater pip by the malcontent host Dolores . This heralded the starting time of the host rotation that the show had set up in season 1 . Notably , however , Westworldseason 2 brought back Robert Ford in an unexpected way - an lesson of how the fickleness of death in fabrication can make it a hefty plot gadget .
Related : Westworld : Ford ’s Shocking Return explicate
2Ned Stark (Sean Bean)
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
It was inGame of Thronesseason 1 , episode 9 " Baelor"when the series made its first large splash in modern-day TV - by killing off Sean Bean ’s Ned Stark - the debut season ’s main part . After Ned unravels and jeopardise to break Joffrey Baratheon as a false king for being a product of Lannister incest , the Starks get a capitulum - twist lesson in how politics work in King ’s Landing . Ned ’s execution arrange the stage not only for his children ’s fiber spark , but also for the show ’s first monolithic conflict . Years later , viewers continue to discuss how the consequence influenced television , and evenhowGame of Thronesforeshadowed Ned Stark ’s demise .
1Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt)
Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)
The touching death of series co - lead Jimmy Darmody - spiel by Michael Pitt - blurs the phone line between war and the criminal Hades . A warfare veteran endue with tearing efficiency , Jimmy was the consummate right - hand valet to Steve Buscemi ’s Nucky . Even when Jimmy betrayed Nucky and knew that he would never be forgive , Jimmy all the same walk into his own execution of instrument inBoardwalk Empireseason 2 , instalment 12 , " To The Lost . “With Nucky delivering the fatal shots and Jimmy having long accepted his death during his time in the warfare , the prospect roleplay out simultaneously as a roughshod capital punishment and a long - expect release for a torture soul .
