32 TV Shows That Lost Their Lead Character Mid-Run

Over time, characters enter and exit from popular TV shows. From iconic sitcoms to gripping fantasy epics, long-running crime dramas, or series that have dominated prime-time television for years, these programs share a common trait: they bid farewell to a beloved character before the final episode (or even the final season).

Here are 32 TV shows that lost their lead character during their run…

The Office (2005 – 2013)

For seven seasons, Steve Carell’s character Michael Scott was the standout on “The Office.” In 2011, however, he bid farewell to Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch. Although he made a guest appearance in the last season, the void left by the eccentric, energetic, and side-splitting regional manager was palpable as the show reached its conclusion.

That ‘70s Show (1998 – 2006)

In the last few years of the 20th century, That ‘70s Show stood out among sitcoms for its exceptional run, which continued until May 2006. However, the show’s leading character, Eric Forman played by Topher Grace, didn’t appear in every episode. As his fame was growing during this time, the actor decided to leave the series after the seventh season. He made a comeback for the final episode, exactly one year later.

Two And A Half Men (2003 – 2015)

In the midst of contract discussions and a series of contentious events, Charlie Sheen departed from the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men, relinquishing his role as beloved character Charlie Harper. This decision came after the show’s eighth season in 2011. At that time, it was one of the most watched TV shows, and the CBS comedy continued for another four seasons, with Ashton Kutcher joining the cast to play Walden Schmidt.

Cheers (1982 – 1993)

For the initial five seasons of “Cheers”, Shelley Long’s character Diane Chambers was a regular fixture at the welcoming Boston bar. But when an offer to become a professional writer came her way, she decided to leave for good. However, towards the end of the show in 1993, Diane made a comeback and appeared once more on the series.

ER (1994 – 2009)

On NBC, over the course of its 15 seasons and 331 episodes, the medical drama ER experienced significant character departures – whether it was Mark Greene, played by Anthony Edwards, meeting a dramatic end or George Clooney’s Doug Ross leaving after a major scandal. Yet, despite these major exits, the show managed to recover and continue strong.

Law & Order (1990 – Present)

For more than two decades, many cherished characters have graced the screen in Law & Order, with NYPD detective Lennie Briscoe (played by Jerry Orbach) standing out among them for 12 years. This long-running series continues to air today, following a revival in 2022, but it’s rare to find detectives who could match the brilliance of the witty police officer.

Three’s Company (1977 – 1984)

Suzanne Somers gained widespread recognition as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, a role she played in 1977 that remained popular throughout much of the show’s duration. However, following the series’ fifth season, Somers decided to leave the show. Despite her departure, the sitcom continued for another three seasons.

Scrubs (2001 – 2009)

Despite being an integral part of the Scrubs cast until the final episode of Season 9 and returning for the upcoming reboot, Zach Braff’s character Dr. John Michael “J.D.” Dorian appeared in less than half of the subsequent episodes. It might have been advantageous since those later episodes seemed to lack the quality that characterized the first eight seasons.

Bewitched (1964 – 1972)

In an unusual twist, the Darrin Stevens character from the show “Bewitched” was originally portrayed by Dick York but was replaced by Dick Sargent towards the end of the series. For the early seasons, York played the on-screen spouse of Elizabeth Montgomery’s character, but in the later years of this iconic sitcom about a witch concealing her magical identity, Sargent stepped into the role.

Mom (2003 – 2021)

If a leading actor or actress exits a television series during its broadcast, it can create difficulties for their fellow cast members and production team. This was evident when Anna Faris left the popular CBS comedy “Mom” in 2020. Although the show carried on for one more season following Christy Plunkett’s departure, the void left by the former star was palpable.

One Tree Hill (2003 – 2012)

Among the most popular series during the 2000s, “One Tree Hill” held a special place on The WB (and later The CW) for a significant part of its nine-season span. Yet, not every part of its journey was filled with joy as Chad Michael Murray, portraying the main character Lucas Scott, and Hilarie Burton’s Peyton Sawyer bid farewell after season 6.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005 – Present)

For over two decades, the popular television series “Grey’s Anatomy” has captivated audiences with its rich ensemble of characters. Although some, such as Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey, have remained constant throughout the years, others, like Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd, also known as “Dr. McDreamy,” have joined and eventually departed. In the series’ 11th season, Derek Shepherd was written out of the show by being killed off.

Glee (2009 – 2015)

During the peak popularity of the TV show Glee on Fox, the beloved musical series suffered a significant loss when the actor portraying one of its main characters, Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson), tragically passed away at the age of 31 in July 2013.

The Walking Dead (2010 – 2022)

On the hit series The Walking Dead, numerous characters constantly joined and left due to its setting during a zombie apocalypse. But one of the most significant exits took place in the ninth season when the much-loved character Rick Grimes, portrayed by Andrew Lincoln, was written out from the popular show.

House Of Cards (2013 – 2018)

The TV series “House of Cards” was filled with one surprising event following another, culminating in the need for the Netflix production team to write out their leading character before the sixth and concluding season. As Kevin Spacey faced legal issues, the show’s creators opted to offscreen his character and continue the storyline.

Blue’s Clues (1996 – 2006)

For four seasons on the popular Nick Jr. series “Blue’s Clues,” Steve Burns was the main human character. But after he left the animated show, his younger onscreen brother, Joe (played by Donovan Patton), took over. Later, Steve made an appearance in the eccentric 2008 sci-fi film “Christmas on Mars” produced by The Flaming Lips.

The O.C. (2003 – 2007)

In the initial stages of the series, Mischa Barton’s character Marissa Cooper was a significant figure. Tragically, she met her end in a poignant manner during the final episode of Season 3 on The O.C.. After this heart-wrenching exit of the troubled teen, the show persisted for another season before concluding its run.

Charmed (1998 – 2006)

In the hit series “Charmed”, Shannen Doherty’s character, Prue Halliwell, was a central figure during the first three seasons. Although her future was unclear following a Season 3 cliffhanger, it eventually came to light that Prue perished after encountering a formidable demonic assassin.

Laverne & Shirley (1976 – 1983)

Among the most enduring spin-offs ever made (the characters were first introduced on “Happy Days”), “Laverne & Shirley” aired for eight seasons on ABC from 1976 to 1983. Interestingly, while Penny Marshall’s character Laverne DeFazio stayed until the very end, Cindy Williams’ Shirley Feeney had a different fate. At the time, Williams was pregnant and decided to leave before the final season concluded.

Game Of Thrones (2011 – 2019)

In its eight-year run, the character portrayed by Sean Bean, Ned Stark, was a significant figure in “Game of Thrones” during the initial season. His shocking beheading at the end of the first year, one of TV’s most memorable moments, set the stage for the unpredictable twists that characterized the series as it progressed.

The Vampire Diaries (2009 – 2017)

For eight seasons, from 2009 to 2017, the series “The Vampire Diaries” was broadcasted on The CW. However, halfway through its run, the show’s central character, Elena Gilbert played by Nina Dobrev, departed. Despite her character not meeting an untimely end, Dobrev chose to pursue other projects instead.

Spin City (1996 – 2002)

The long-running satirical sitcom, “Spin City,” aired on ABC from 1996 to 2002 over six seasons. For the majority of this time, Michael J. Fox portrayed New York City deputy mayor Mike Flaherty. However, following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, Fox departed the series after its fourth season, and his character was written out by being transferred to Washington, D.C.

The Wire (2002 – 2008)

In “The Wire”, an impressive ensemble of actors brought to life remarkable characters that truly shone on television screens. Among the key figures in the groundbreaking HBO show’s first three seasons was Idris Elba’s character, Stringer Bell – a cold-hearted and ambitious drug kingpin who sought something beyond managing Baltimore’s street corners. However, his relentless pursuit of power led him to make countless enemies, ultimately resulting in a violent end for him in the Season 3 finale.

Oz (1997 – 2003)

Despite boasting a stellar cast throughout its HBO run from 1997 to 2003, the show “Oz” suffered a significant loss when main character Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Simon Adebisi was written out in the fourth season. Fans were surprised and delighted to see him reappear in the 2001 film, “The Mummy Returns”.

Roseanne/The Conners (1988 – 2025)

Shortly following the revival of the TV series “Roseanne” in 2018, its lead actress, Roseanne Barr, was let go due to a contentious tweet’s repercussions. The show was promptly axed and transformed into “The Conners,” which ran for seven seasons until it concluded in 2025.

NCIS (2003 – Present)

Over time, many characters have exited the TV show NCIS, but it remains one of the most widely watched dramas on traditional television networks. Among the cast changes since its premiere in 2003, none have been as significant as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the NCIS Supervisory Special Agent and Special Agent in Charge portrayed by Mark Harmon, who continued his role up until the 19th season – a testament to enduring talent.

8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter (2002 – 2005)

In the early 2000s, the TV show “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter,” often shortened to “8 Simple Rules,” enjoyed a successful run on ABC. This sitcom played a significant role in kick-starting Kaley Cuoco’s acting career. The series was initially headed by John Ritter, portraying Paul Hennessy. Tragically, Ritter passed away at the age of 54 during the filming of the second season due to complications from an aortic dissection, a role that was later written off from the show.

Lost (2004 – 2010)

Discussing character deaths on Lost can be a bit puzzling, given the show’s complex narrative structure that often loops back on itself. For instance, characters such as Shannon Rutherford (played by Maggie Grace), Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau), and Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan) were initially written off but later reappeared in the series at certain points.

Homeland (2011 – 2020)

The long-running series, _Homeland_, had its share of surprising twists and farewell episodes for key characters. Among these significant events, the demise of Nicholas Brody (played by Damian Lewis) stands out. Initially a former POW with questionable loyalties, Brody’s storyline was intriguing throughout the show’s first three seasons. However, his arc eventually concluded when he was publicly executed in Iran several years into the series.

Boardwalk Empire (2010 – 2014)

In the initial two seasons of “Boardwalk Empire,” Michael Pitt’s character, Jimmy Darmody, played a significant second-in-command role to Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson. However, the rising gangster met his untimely end in the season finale of 2011. The series continued for three more seasons until it concluded in 2014.

Downton Abbey (2010 – 2015)

Among several beloved characters, Dan Stevens’ character Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey met an untimely end during the series. He was a third cousin, once removed of the Earl of Grantham and unfortunately didn’t live long on-screen; he perished in a car accident in the show’s third season.

Sons Of Anarchy (2008 – 2014)

In the latter part of the 2000s and the early 2010s, the TV series Sons of Anarchy enjoyed a long and successful run on FX. During this period, numerous beloved characters met their untimely end, with the most shocking being the brutal murder of fan-favorite Opie (played by Ryan Hurst), which occurred in season 5 while he was in prison. Some characters never returned after that tragic event.

2025-06-28 19:40