10 Great TV Shows That Killed Main Characters Early

Great TV shows that killed main characters early underscore the narrative impact of a well-written demise. After a show has established a character to be important to the plot, that person’s sudden death early in the series can be especially captivating. These deaths serve to jumpstart the plot in an unexpected manner, drive crucial developments in surviving cast members, or highlight the TV show’s overarching themes or messages.

Indeed, TV character deaths that no one saw coming aren’t just for surprising audiences – they typically also serve a larger purpose in the overall narrative. Whether it happens in the pilot episode or the earlier seasons of a series, the occurrence of an early main character’s death reverberates across long-running shows. Long after they’re gone, these events remind audiences that no one is truly safe in the world of fiction – especially characters who are beloved by audiences. Contrary to popular belief, killing off beloved characters early is actually not a new phenomenon is series or television storytelling.

10 Lee Dutton (Dave Annable)

Yellowstone (2018-present)

The son of John Dutton, Lee was set up to be a main character in the pilot episode of Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan’s flagship Neo-Western series. 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 in Yellowstone Dutton Ranch history, Lee’s death is the catalyst of the primary conflict that drives Yellowstone. This made it clear from the beginning how the succeeding events would play out in Yellowstone, which is known for its dark twists, sudden violence, and modern exploration of frontier justice.

9 Jim Taggart (Mark McManus)

Taggart (1983-2010)

The iconic Scottish detective Jim Taggart last appeared in “Prayer for the Dead,” while his death is confirmed in the following episode, Taggart series 11, episode 2, “Black Orchid.” Taggart didn’t show how the titular character died because the actor who played him, Mark McManus, died on June 6, 1994, after McManus succumbed to pneumonia and liver failure. Despite the show being named after McManus’ character, whose tenure on the show lasted from 1983 to 1995, it continued by focusing on the lives of other detectives instead. Taggart is also known as one of the longest-running crime dramas of all time.

Related: 10 Of The Longest Running Crime Dramas On TV, Ranked By Duration

8 Paul (John Ritter)

8 Simple Rules (2002-2005)

The show’s dad Paul Hennessy, played by John Ritter, passed away unexpectedly early in 8 Simple Rules season 2, episodes 4 to 5, “Goodbye”. The real-life death of John Ritter in 2003 prompted the show’s creators to address the loss within the storyline. Paul’s character died of a heart attack in the show, mirroring Ritter’s cause of death. The series tackled the challenges faced by the Hennessy family in coping with this sudden loss, adding layers of emotional depth to the sitcom. The transition from a comedic tone to more poignant moments showcased the resilience of the family while paying tribute to John Ritter’s significant contribution to the show.

7 Alisson Argent (Crystal Reed)

Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Played by Crystal Reed, series lead Alisson Argent met a tragic end in Teen Wolf season 3, episode 23, “Insatiable.” She was fatally stabbed by an Oni, a supernatural entity controlled by the Nogitsune. Allison’s death occurred in the heat of battle, an emotional and shocking turn of events that marked a turning point in the series. Alisson died because Reed decided to leave the show in 2013 to pursue other projects, and the show focused on other heroes until it ended in Teen Wolf season 6. Notably, however, Crystal Reed’s return in Teen Wolf: The Movie continues Alisson’s story.

6 Boone Carlyle (Ian Somerhalder)

Lost (2004-2010)

Lost season 1, episode 20, “Do No Harm” sees Ian Somerhalder’s Boone Carlyle succumbing to injuries that he suffered one episode earlier, during which he was unable to get off a crashed plane that slid off the edge of a cliff. Jack Shephard, the group’s doctor, deemed Boone’s condition to be critical. Despite efforts to save him, Boone’s injuries proved fatal. This was the first major death in the series, intensifying the mysteries surrounding the island and impacting the characters’ relationships. According to showrunners, Boone’s death was imperative to the narrative of Lost season 1, particularly in terms of escalating the tension between vying group leaders Jack and Locke.

Related: Lost: Why Ian Somerhalder’s Boone Was The First Major Character To Die

5 Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis)

Homeland (2011-2022)

Nicolas Brody, played by Damian Lewis, was publicly executed by hanging in Iran as part of a CIA mission gone awry. The circumstances leading to his death were complex, involving political intrigue and personal sacrifice. Although it has been heavily foreshadowed in the show, Brody’s death in Homeland season 3, episode 12, “The Star” was largely unexpected due to how the show largely revolved around his character arc. At the same time, however, Brody’s fate is a crucial part of how the character subverts traditional notions of patriotism and heroics, which are the central overarching themes of Homeland.

4 Bob Newby (Sean Astin)

Stranger Things (2016-present)

The simple reason why Bob Newby died early in Stranger Things is that it was part of the show’s narrative plan from the start. In Stranger Things season 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 safety, Bob was caught by the beasts. Despite a moment of hope, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. His sacrifice had emotional repercussions on the cast and audiences alike, as the underdog Bob was a beloved character in the coming-of-age fantasy adventure series.

3 Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins)

Westworld (2016-2022)

The shocking death of Anthony Hopkins’ Dr. Robert Ford – the co-founder of the android park – occurs in Westworld season 1, episode 10, “The Bicameral Mind.” The death of Ford was a crucial beat in the acclaimed sci-fi series’ debut season finale, as he was felled by a bullet shot by the rebellious host Dolores. This heralded the beginning of the host revolution that the show had set up in season 1. Notably, however, Westworld season 2 brought back Robert Ford in an unexpected way – an example of how the fickleness of death in fiction can make it a powerful plot device.

Related: Westworld: Ford’s Shocking Return Explained

2 Ned Stark (Sean Bean)

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

It was in Game of Thrones season 1, episode 9 “Baelor” when the series made its first big splash in contemporary TV – by killing off Sean Bean’s Ned Stark – the debut season’s main character. After Ned unravels and threatens to expose Joffrey Baratheon as a false king for being a product of Lannister incest, the Starks get a head-turning lesson in how politics work in King’s Landing. Ned’s execution set the stage not only for his children’s character arcs, but also for the show’s first massive conflicts. Years later, viewers continue to discuss how the event influenced television, and even how Game of Thrones foreshadowed Ned Stark’s death.

1 Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt)

Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)

The poignant death of series co-lead Jimmy Darmody – played by Michael Pitt – blurs the lines between war and the criminal underworld. A war veteran gifted with violent efficiency, Jimmy was the perfect right-hand man to Steve Buscemi’s Nucky. Even when Jimmy betrayed Nucky and knew that he would never be forgiven, Jimmy nonetheless walks into his own execution in Boardwalk Empire season 2, episode 12, “To The Lost.” With Nucky delivering the fatal shots and Jimmy having long accepted his death during his time in the war, the scene plays out simultaneously as a brutal execution and a long-awaited release for a tortured soul.