{"id":2442444,"date":"2026-06-03T00:25:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2442444"},"modified":"2026-06-03T00:25:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:25:41","slug":"10-tv-shows-that-dared-to-kill-off-their-main-character","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/10-tv-shows-that-dared-to-kill-off-their-main-character\/","title":{"rendered":"10 TV shows that dared to kill off their main character"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On the best TV shows, no one is safe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">One recent example is HBO&#8217;s <em>Euphoria.<\/em> The finale, which aired in May 2026, shocked fans by doing the unthinkable: <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/euphoria-season-3-finale-who-died-11987986\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:killing off its lead character;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;killing off its lead character&quot;}\" class=\"link \">killing off its lead character<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In season 3&#8217;s closing stretch, Rue Bennett (Zendaya) succumbs to an accidental fentanyl overdose. This all but <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/euphoria-ending-season-3-series-finale-11987661\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:heralded the series' conclusion;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;heralded the series'&quot;}\" class=\"link \">heralded the series&#8217; conclusion<\/a> \u2014 and creator Sam Levinson later confirmed the news.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Killing main characters can feel like a sin, but <em>Euphoria<\/em> isn\u2019t the first to capitalize on the shock of such a twist. In fact, the boldness it takes to subvert expectations and shake up an ensemble can breathe new life into an ongoing show or leave fans with a lasting impression.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Below, we&#8217;re revisiting 10 times a TV show dared to kill off its protagonist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">01 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Game of Thrones<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Sean Bean as Ned Stark on &#8216;Game of Thrones&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">As the first in what would become a long line of gut punches, Ned Stark\u2019s death in season 1 of <em>Game of Thrones<\/em> threw unsuspecting viewers for a loop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ned (Sean Bean) was positioned as the show\u2019s lead in its early stages, so his sudden death hit that much harder. Where could the series possibly go from here? (Curious fans subsequently devoured George R.R. Martin&#8217;s book series.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After the untimely death of Ned&#8217;s friend and ally Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy), Robert\u2019s deranged son Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) becomes next in line for the throne. Ned then discovers that Joffrey and his siblings were not Robert\u2019s biological heirs, but a product of incest between Robert\u2019s wife, Cersei (Lena Headey), and her brother, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ned wishes to reveal Joffrey\u2019s illegitimacy, but is instead betrayed by Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen), imprisoned by Cersei, and beheaded in a public execution on Joffrey&#8217;s orders. Ned Stark\u2019s death is now considered <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/sean-bean-game-of-thrones-death-scene\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:one of the most shocking TV scenes of all time;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;one of the most shocking TV scenes of all time&quot;}\" class=\"link \">one of the most shocking TV scenes of all time<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">02 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Big Love<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Ginnifer Goodwin as Margene Heffman, Bill Paxton as Bill Henrickson, and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Barbara Henrickson on 'Big Love'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/tUnCTMyGYaofqNEl7NzRqg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/43480e4e51f5a4a2692cdf1cffbd7e46\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Ginnifer Goodwin as Margene Heffman, Bill Paxton as Bill Henrickson, and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Barbara Henrickson on &#8216;Big Love&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Everyone\u2019s favorite show about polygamy, <em>Big Love, <\/em>concluded its five-season run in 2011 with a major character death. The series, starring Bill Paxton, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/chloe-sevigny\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Chlo\u00eb Sevigny;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Chlo\u00eb Sevigny&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Chlo\u00eb Sevigny<\/a>, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Ginnifer Goodwin, centered on a modern-day polygamist Mormon sect led by Paxton\u2019s Bill Henrickson, following their lives in a Salt Lake City suburb.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">While <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/article\/2011\/03\/20\/big-love-season-5-series-finale\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Entertainment Weekly;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Entertainment Weekly&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><em>Entertainment Weekly<\/em><\/a> had predicted Bill would go to prison ahead of the series finale \u2014 not because he was necessarily horrible, but because \u201cthat\u2019s most likely what would happen in real life&#8221; \u2014what we got took things a step further.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the series finale<em>, <\/em>Bill is shot and killed by his disturbed neighbor, Carl (Carlos Jacott). Feeling emasculated by Bill\u2019s successful life, which only reminded him of his own personal failings, Carl increasingly unraveled until he reached a breaking point in a dispute over their lawns, ultimately killing Bill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">03 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">This Is Us<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson on 'This Is Us'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Hyu2fmvYuMBOPNexSfbSrw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/6bfba63534d79b630e172e57e7691245\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson on &#8216;This Is Us&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the first few seasons of the time-hopping melodrama <em>This Is Us, <\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/milo-ventimiglia\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Milo Ventimiglia;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Milo Ventimiglia&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Milo Ventimiglia<\/a>\u2019s Jack is positioned as the patriarch of the Pearson family, yet is only shown in flashbacks to the family\u2019s early days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">While the series had spent seasons 1 and 2 overtly hinting at Jack\u2019s death, it didn\u2019t make seeing it <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2018\/02\/04\/this-is-us-super-bowl-episode-jack-death\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:any less shocking;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;any less shocking&quot;}\" class=\"link \">any less shocking<\/a> (or heartbreaking) \u2014 especially because fans didn\u2019t yet know <em>how<\/em> he died.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Well, in episode 14 of season 2, they found out. When a massive fire engulfs the Pearson family home, Jack gets his wife, Rebecca (Mandy Moore), and their three kids to safety. However, he quickly realizes that their dog is still trapped in the home. Jack goes back inside, successfully retrieves the pup, and emerges from the blazing home. Everything\u2019s peachy now, right?<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Unfortunately, Jack had inhaled a massive amount of smoke. He later dies of a heart attack in the hospital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">04 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Breaking Bad<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Bryan Cranston as Walter White on 'Breaking Bad'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.Ud2u.j6S_j7D1Fk6zrblA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/e7818acf4cf4977eef2e5d121a605e5b\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Bryan Cranston as Walter White on &#8216;Breaking Bad&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Walter White&#8217;s (Bryan Cranston) descent into corruption, ruthlessness, and moral decay is so steep that it made any kind of redemption for the teacher-turned-drug lord increasingly unlikely. That said, the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/recap\/breaking-bad-season-5-episode-16-felina\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Breaking Bad series finale;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Breaking Bad series finale&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><em>Breaking Bad<\/em> series finale<\/a> offers him a small measure of it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Having gone into hiding, Walt ultimately manages to make some things right before shuffling off the mortal coil. He secures financial stability for his estranged family and frees his former protege, Jesse (Aaron Paul), who had been kidnapped by Todd (Jesse Plemons) and his gang of white supremacists. In the resulting melee, Walt takes a bullet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Walt asks Jesse to kill him, but Jesse refuses and tells him to do it himself. Walt then bleeds out as the feds arrive. A slightly better death than succumbing to his cancer, it is still certainly deserved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In an <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/article\/2013\/09\/30\/breaking-bad-finale-vince-gilligan\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:exclusive interview with EW;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;exclusive interview with EW&quot;}\" class=\"link \">exclusive interview with EW<\/a>, series creator Vince Gilligan spoke about the choice to end the series where he and his creative team did. \u201cI guess our gut told us that it would feel satisfying for Walt to at least begin to make amends for his life and for all the sadness and misery wrought upon his family and his friends.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He continued, \u201cWalt is never going to redeem himself. He&#8217;s just too far down the road to damnation. But at least he takes a few steps along that path.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">05 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Nashville<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Connie Britton as Rayna James on 'Nashville'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/KtCLP.qBSgsHkckQHyhC8g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/fb1176c3366f7e15e3d2af34d495f376\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Connie Britton as Rayna James on &#8216;Nashville&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Hit musical drama <em>Nashville <\/em>said goodbye to one of the show\u2019s two leading ladies in a tragic season 5 episode.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Since the very beginning, <em>Friday Night Lights<\/em> alum <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/connie-britton\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Connie Britton;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Connie Britton&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Connie Britton<\/a> had played aging country singer Rayna Jaymes, whose time in the spotlight is threatened by up-and-comer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In season 5, that changed. After surviving an encounter with a stalker, Rayna was involved in a car crash that left her hospitalized. Though she initially seemed to pull through, she later succumbed to her injuries and left her family heartbroken.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2017\/02\/23\/nashville-connie-britton-rayna-dead\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Speaking with EW;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Speaking with EW&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Speaking with EW<\/a>, Britton called her character&#8217;s death &#8220;devastating,&#8221; adding, \u201cIt was very surreal and not easy. There was definitely a big part of me that was not ready to go but there we were. I wanted to make those moments as strong as possible for Rayna.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">06 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Roseanne and The Conners<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner on 'Roseanne'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/unK167vkXkKmSEi.B2BWnA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/af7bbdd4c338e821752c947c3bbff0b0\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner on &#8216;Roseanne&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">ABC <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2018\/05\/29\/abc-cancels-roseanne\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:canceled;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;canceled&quot;}\" class=\"link \">canceled<\/a> its 2018 reboot of <em>Roseanne<\/em> after its star, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/roseanne-barr\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Roseanne Barr;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Roseanne Barr&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Roseanne Barr<\/a>, caused controversy with a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2018\/05\/29\/roseanne-tweet-apology-obama\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:racist tweet;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;racist tweet&quot;}\" class=\"link \">racist tweet<\/a>. It was subsequently retooled into <em>The Conners, <\/em>which carried on without its former namesake.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When <em>The Conners<\/em> premiered, it revealed that Roseanne had <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2018\/10\/16\/the-conners-premiere-how-roseanne-killed-off\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:died of a opioid overdose offscreen;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;died of a opioid overdose offscreen&quot;}\" class=\"link \">died of a opioid overdose offscreen<\/a>. The episode didn\u2019t treat the death lightly; it featured the family reckoning with Roseanne\u2019s passing and working to understand how it could have occurred.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The series&#8217; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/the-conners-ending-series-finale-saying-goodbye-roseanne-11720812\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:seventh and final season;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;seventh and final season&quot;}\" class=\"link \">seventh and final season<\/a> revisited Roseanne&#8217;s death a storyline in which the widowed Dan (John Goodman) sues \u2014 and receives a measly payout \u2014 the pharmaceutical company that was linked to Roseanne\u2019s overdose.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">07 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">House of Cards<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood on 'House of Cards'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/ph_RQDPEZyFbv1qm3akAeg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/c080cdc9237a003aa5f25f110487c9da\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood on &#8216;House of Cards&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Toward the end of the Netflix political thriller, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) succeeds her husband Frank (Kevin Spacey) as the leader of the free world. <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2018\/10\/23\/netflix-house-of-cards-season-6-ew-review\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:This was a big pivot;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;This was a big pivot&quot;}\" class=\"link \">This was a big pivot<\/a>, as up to this moment the focal point had been Frank himself. (And if you&#8217;re curious why Spacey left the show, that&#8217;s a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2017\/11\/03\/netflix-dumps-kevin-spacey-house-of-cards\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:whole story unto itself;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;whole story unto itself&quot;}\" class=\"link \">whole story unto itself<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">At the end of season 5, Frank resigned as president amid his many scandals and was thus written off at the start of season 6. Claire announces to the public in the first episode that Frank died of an accidental overdose.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><em>Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/ew-dispatch-newsletter-11812417\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:EW Dispatch newsletter;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;EW Dispatch newsletter&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><strong><em>EW Dispatch newsletter<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, the series finale reveals how Frank actually died. In the end, he was poisoned by his right-hand man, Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly), who did so because Frank was planning to kill Claire.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">08 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">The Last of Us<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller on 'The Last of Us'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/e4NNN3w90jHcnuoC_QlH2Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/1a6e5d4278eb324254aa935f631e1d9b\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller on &#8216;The Last of Us&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Killing off one of your lead characters in the second episode of a new season is certainly a bold move, and that\u2019s exactly what <em>The Last of Us<\/em> did.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Based on the video game series of the same name, <em>The Last of Us<\/em> stars <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/pedro-pascal\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Pedro Pascal;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Pedro Pascal&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Pedro Pascal<\/a> and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie, survivors of a cordyceps pandemic, as they navigate a postapocalyptic society.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the second episode of season 2, titled \u201cThrough the Valley,\u201d fans of the show were shocked when Joel was brutally killed by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), a woman seeking revenge for the death of her father at Joel&#8217;s hands. Fans of the video game series the show is based on, however, were prepared.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">For his part, Pascal knew it was going down this way too. \u201cIt&#8217;s not like they said, &#8216;Hey, we kill you at the beginning of season 2,&#8217;\u201d he said <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/the-last-of-us-season-2-pedro-pascal-shocker-kaitlyn-dever-bella-ramsey-on-set-exclusive-11717893\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:in an EW cover story;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;in an EW cover story&quot;}\" class=\"link \">in an EW cover story<\/a>. \u201cBut it was always an understanding that it would stay true to the source material in a specific way and that the, let&#8217;s say, practical and exclusive obligation would be for season 1. It was just a matter of how and when.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">09 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Boardwalk Empire<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson on 'Boardwalk Empire'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/lZndYO9xcpAQvqqAB54t4Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/f4d3d324eeec82768e1d17f7d50c9fe4\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson on &#8216;Boardwalk Empire&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The HBO crime drama <em>Boardwalk Empire<\/em> starred <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/steve-buscemi\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Steve Buscemi;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Steve Buscemi&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Steve Buscemi<\/a> as corrupt politician Enoch &#8220;Nucky&#8221; Thompson.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Nucky was far from perfect, and the same goes for the show&#8217;s vast ensemble of criminals and antiheroes. But Nucky\u2019s most egregious sin comes back to bite him in the series finale, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/recap\/boardwalk-empire-season-5-episode-8\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:in which he is killed;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;in which he is killed&quot;}\" class=\"link \">in which he is killed<\/a> in an act of revenge by Tommy Darmody (Travis Tope).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tommy Darmody is the son of Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt), Nucky\u2019s former prot\u00e9g\u00e9 whose life and family were deeply entangled with and ultimately destroyed by Nucky\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It\u2019s a fitting end to a wretched man, and gives a satisfying conclusion to an underrated show from the prestige TV era.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">10 of 10<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Charmed \u2014 Prue Halliwell<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell on 'Chaarmed'Credit: Everett\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Q0bH0EIUpoTNjJejCHJZ5A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/96c0e941b9554ae4a1e569e2febde276\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell on &#8216;Chaarmed&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Fittingly, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/person\/shannen-doherty\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Shannen Doherty;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Shannen Doherty&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Shannen Doherty<\/a> ended up <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/charmed-stars-explain-how-shannen-doherty-salvaged-her-final-episode-11816673\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:directing the episode of Charmed;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;directing the episode of Charmed&quot;}\" class=\"link \">directing the episode of <em>Charmed<\/em><\/a> in which her own character was killed off. The WB series starred Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, and Alyssa Milano as a group of powerful witch sisters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the season 3 finale, \u201cAll Hell Breaks Loose,\u201d Piper (Combs) is gravely injured by a Wiccan fanatic after the sisters\u2019 powers are revealed to the public. While Doherty\u2019s Prue gets Piper to a hospital, Piper dies in her arms, and Prue vows to bring her back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Prue gets Phoebe (Milano) to make a deal with the Source to reset time so Piper can be saved. However, the Source double-crosses her, and Phoebe is left stuck in the Underworld, unable to warn her sisters of the initial attack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Prue is left for dead, and Doherty was replaced by Rose McGowan beginning in season 4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv-shows-killed-off-main-character-deaths-11989337\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Entertainment Weekly;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Entertainment Weekly&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Entertainment Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On the best TV shows, no one is safe. One recent example is HBO&#8217;s Euphoria. The finale, which aired in May 2026, shocked fans by doing the unthinkable: killing off its lead character. In season 3&#8217;s closing stretch, Rue Bennett (Zendaya) succumbs to an accidental fentanyl overdose. This all but heralded the series&#8217; conclusion \u2014 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2442445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[479500,358135,479503,330562,364239,381291,350537,479502,479501,390826,344622,366433],"class_list":["post-2442444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-big-love","tag-bill-paxton","tag-carlos-jacott","tag-game-of-thrones","tag-george-r-r-martin","tag-jack-gleeson","tag-jesse-plemons","tag-lead-character","tag-rayna-jaymes","tag-robert-baratheon","tag-roseanne-barr","tag-untimely-death"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/10-TV-shows-that-dared-to-kill-off-their-main.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2442444"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2442446,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442444\/revisions\/2442446"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2442445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2442444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2442444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2442444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}