19 Shocking And Unexpected TV Deaths That Changed Everything

Buzz Feed

21-02-2025

We asked the BuzzFeed Community which TV deaths were so shocking and unexpected that they changed the entire series. Here's what they said:
🚨 Warning: There are MASSIVE spoilers ahead! 🚨
This post also includes mention of suicide.
1. On Young Sheldon, when George Cooper Sr. had a heart attack at work and died.
2. On This Is Us, when Miguel died after years of taking care of Rebecca and ignoring his own declining health.
NBC
"When he passed before she did, I was sad and in a bad mood at work all day, so I won't watch anything so dramatic before work."
— jillievanilli
3. On The Last Of Us, when Henry killed himself immediately after he killed his younger brother Sam, who'd been infected.
"The real devastating shock was when Henry shot his brother after being infected and then himself."
— babybatz
"I had to take a break after that episode. I think I cried for, like, 25 minutes on the couch after. Bill and Frank's deaths devastated me but Henry and Sam's deaths broke my heart."
— katerumtruffle
4. On Killing Eve, when Villanelle was shot and killed during the series finale while protecting Eve, and only moments after she and Eve finally got together.
BBC America
"I'm heartbroken, TBH. SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE AT ALL. Villanelle and Eve finally got their happy ending. They understood each other, and I think they could've been really good together. I get that the show needed to end, but this wasn't the way. I WANT ONE FUCKING HAPPY ENDING FOR THE GAYS. STOP KILLING US."
— squid_nuggs
"I think the best thing about her was she wasn't a villain in the common sense of the word. Her character was written with such complexity that her death felt like the least interesting thing about her. It fell flat, and she deserved better."
— lanasmovingcastle
"You hated her, loved her, laughed with her. She was the best villain ever!"
— sweetpea_143
5. On You, when Love was outsmarted by Joe (her seemingly perfect match) and then framed for several other murders that he committed.
Netflix
"I thought the entire second season would lead to Joe finally finding his match with Love, someone who was like him and who understood him. Then, I thought the third season would be about Joe and Love married with a baby and working through marital problems, in order for Joe to confirm Love as his match. But, it only ended up with him killing her to turn his attention to his new obsession. I totally lost interest because the show seemed to me to be a gimmick. It didn't warrant my viewing investment anymore."
— scorow524
6. On Yellowjackets, when Jackie accidentally froze to death because she decided to sleep outside of the cabin after getting in a huge fight with Shauna and the rest of the girls.
Showtime
"My heart BROKE when Shauna found Jackie's body. Now, I may be biased because I love Ella Purnell, but I absolutely loved Jackie. I know she wasn't always the nicest and had a lot of her own issues, but I have such a soft spot for her, and she didn't deserve to die the way she did. But her death was so major that it completely changed the entire tune of the series for me."
— Lauren Garafano
7. On Arcane, when Isha loaded Jinx's pistol with a Hextech gem and sacrificed herself in order to destroy Vander and the Noxian soldiers before they could hurt Jinx.
Netflix
"Part of it was because of how it affected Jinx, and also the song that played (even though it was in Japanese) was the perfect amount of sadness, but also joy for the time we had with her. I remember watching the episode and then just feeling…empty."
— cuteking187
8. On Veronica Mars, when Logan was blown up right when he and Veronica were finally happy.
Hulu
"100000000% devastated by Logan Echolls. I don't care if they needed to get back to more mystery and less romance. He didn't have to die for them to do that. And then, they never made more of the show to top it all off!"
— pamelal4802dcefb
"How dare you traumatize Veronica over and over again?! Why can't she just be happy????"
— dropintheocean7
"The show only received a surprise Season 4 after fans crowdfunded an entire freaking movie (most of us because of Logan and Veronica's relationship)! Killing him right after they got married was horrible, and Rob Thomas acknowledging that he knew the decision would probably destroy any hope of another season was idiotic. In my head, Veronica Mars ends with the movie. Season 4 is NOT canon."
— bougieporcupine115
9. On Criminal Minds, when Hotch's ex-wife, Haley, was killed just as the FBI were on their way to save her, and the entire team listened to it happen over the phone.
CBS
"Not only was she absolutely innocent, her killer also forced her loved ones to listen to her death."
— volkihar
10. On 13 Reasons Why, when Justin had finally redeemed himself and had the best character arc on the show, only to then be diagnosed with AIDS and killed off.
Netflix
"No TV death got me the way Justin Foley's did. Four seasons of some of the best character growth I've ever seen, only for the writers to give him HIV and to die surrounded by his friends and family. And the speech between him and Clay...ugh! Heartbreaking! I've never cried so hard at a TV death."
— megsmcg07
11. On Dead Boy Detectives, when Niko was killed while protecting Crystal from a dagger thrown at her by Esther.
"She was such a fun, sweet character throughout the entire series. I loved watching her come out of her shell after her dad's death, finally make friends, and come to terms with being able to see the supernatural. And then she's killed by the antagonist, the witch Esther Finch, in the final episode. Having to watch her friend Edwin being forcibly dragged away from her body was just... oof. And then the shot of her apartment, just as she had left it that morning, really got to me. I cried nonstop. And then, on top of that, the show was canceled! Such a sad way to end an amazing show."
— crispyhero236
12. On Sons of Anarchy, when Opie was beaten to death by a prison gang as his friends watched helplessly from the next room.
FX
"I have never cried so hard over a fictional character in my life. I cried uncontrollably for about 30 minutes. If I even hear the words 'I got this,' I tear up immediately."
— klynn214
"After his death, I literally turned off the show and couldn't continue watching it for three months. I was devastated! He was my favorite character, and the way they brutally killed him off was just heart-wrenching!"
— acidictoaster75
13. On Power, when Ghost was shot and killed by his son Tariq.
Starz
"An intriguing and central character, the manner in which Ghost died was questionable because there was no body found and it happened so quickly. Ghost loved Angela and tried so hard to do the right thing by getting out of the drug game. When Book 2 started, Tariq followed in his footsteps. We were hoping Ghost would return from the dead. Had Starz not canceled Book 2, I believe Ghost would've come back."
— smellytortoise841
14. On The Resident, when Nic got into a car accident and was declared brain dead and so Conrad decided to take her off life support.
Fox
"I understand why Emily VanCamp wanted to leave the series but I loved watching Nic and Conrad's relationship from the beginning. I rarely cry at shows but the scene where everybody watches her body being rolled in when they donate her organs was brutal. The flashbacks of her with everybody at the hospital broke me."
— ecgm720
15. On House, when Kutner died by suicide, and House was so caught off guard he couldn't believe that was what really happened.
NBC
"Kutner was always the nice and upbeat guy, so it was a huge shock. I know that's the point, but it really came out of nowhere. The worst part is House's adamant refusal to believe it could have been suicide. House always expects the unexpected and expects the worst from people, so it's hard to see him so caught off guard."
— lauryn7091
16. On Jane the Virgin, when Michael collapsed and stopped breathing because of complications from his gunshot wound.
The CW
"Even though his character came back, his 'death' ruined me. Gina Rodriguez's performance was one of the most heart-wrenching things I've ever seen. I'd tear up every time they mentioned his name later on."
— alyssag46001af5b
"When Jane finds out about Michael's (fake) death in Jane the Virgin. When she gets the phone call and just immediately screams and falls to the ground? So devastating. Regardless of whether you like Michael or not, it is such a sad scene because of how distraught Jane is."
— furryknight14
17. On The 100, when Lexa was accidentally shot by someone who actually meant to shoot Clarke.
The CW
"She was unexpectedly killed by a stray bullet. It ruined the show for me after that."
— pantherfan22
18. On Degrassi: The Next Generation, when J.T. was stabbed outside a friend's party and Liberty found him after it was too late to save him.
CTV
"His death was quite possibly my first heartbreak. To this day it still hurts."
— biancab4fef94982
19. Finally, on The Good Wife, when Will was shot and killed by his client in the middle of the courtroom.
CBS
"Will's death was so violent, and graphic, and unexpected, and unnecessary. If the actor wanted to leave the show, so be it. But the graphic nature of the death and giving no warning to fans was shocking in the worst way."
— lisawinston
"It was so shocking and unexpected. I still remember feeling the trauma/grief shock the day after that episode aired. The emotional repercussions and disbelief of the characters were so realistic it made me feel like I'd lost someone too."
— jealousghost1122
What other TV character deaths changed the entire show for you? Let us know in the comments.
Dial 988 in the United States to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org. The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386.