Forever in viewers’ hearts. Whether it’s drama, comedy or something in between, TV show writers have never been afraid to surprise audiences with a memorable character death.
Back in March 1975 M*A*S*HIn the season 3 finale, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson), died making him a TV death pioneer. The character was about to return home after being discharged honorably from the army. However, he was hit by enemy fire and killed.
The sudden death of Larry Gelbart and Gene Reynolds was so shocking that they received over 1,000 letters from angry fans. CBS, the network that broadcast it, and 20th Century Fox which produced it were also dissatisfied. M*A*S*HBosses for praising a fan favorite.
“Naturally, CBS did not want us to ‘kill’ the Henry Blake character,” Gelbart recalled in his 1998 book, Laughing Matters. “They were most upset about that, and so was sentimental, dear old Twentieth Century-Fox. Killing a character in a half-hour show had never been done before.”
However, some 21st century shows make exceptions. M*A*S*H‘s surprise death look tame. LostFrom 2004 to 2010,, became famous for its shocking twists well before the first season had even been finished. In the April 2005 episode “Do No Harm,” viewers were devastated when Boone (Ian SomerhalderAfter a plane crashed on him in the jungle, he was killed.
Though audience members were startled to find that a main character could meet their end so early in a show’s run, executive producer Carlton CuseHe said that he and his show cocreator Damon Lindelof always knew Boone wouldn’t make it far.
“It was a narrative imperative that we kill Boone,” Cuse told Entertainment WeeklyAfter the episode aired. “It sets in motion a chain of events leading to the season finale.”
Boone’s death was only the first of many Lost exits to shock viewers. Fans later said goodbye to Boone’s stepsister, Shannon (Maggie Grace), as well as Libby (Cynthia Watros), Ana Lucia (Michelle Rodriguez), Mr. Eko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), Michael (Harold Perrineau), Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) and many more.
Even Lindelof wasn’t unaffected by some of his show’s more tragic moments. “Charlie is the [death]That was what got me. It got me,” the World War ZCo-writer E! NewsSeptember 2014. “When we actually got in the editing room and saw for the first time Dom underwater pressing his hand up against the glass, resigned to it, I just started sobbing.” So did LostViewers all over the world
Keep scrolling for a look back at some of the most shocking deaths in TV history — and remember, spoilers ahead!
