8 TV Series That Continued Without Their Lead Character

Article Overview

Some TV shows have successfully continued despite the departure of their main characters, such as

Two and a Half Men

and

The Vampire Diaries

Main characters depart from TV shows for reasons such as exhaustion, disagreements in creative vision, or new career prospects.

The departure of a main character presents a daunting task for creators to recreate the same captivating essence they brought to a series. Nevertheless, numerous shows have endeavored to endure this setback, achieving varying levels of triumph.

TV shows often face challenges when trying to continue without their main character, but some have managed to do so successfully. These shows have had to make changes to their format and focus in order to adapt to the absence of an important character. Filling in the gaps left by a departing main character can be a difficult task, but certain hit TV shows, like Two and a Half Men, have shown that it is possible to continue a successful run even without what was initially considered an essential part of the show.

As a TV show progresses through multiple seasons, it is not uncommon for some of the main cast members to move on before the series concludes. The reasons behind a main character leaving can vary, from being fired to experiencing burnout, creative differences, or pursuing other opportunities. Audiences tend to develop strong attachments to the main characters of a TV show, making it challenging for the creators to recreate the magic that these characters bring once they are gone. Regardless, many TV shows have attempted to survive the departure of their protagonist, with varying degrees of success.

10. Elena Gilbert - The Vampire Diaries

Season 1 To Season 6

Nina Dobrev displayed her versatility as an actress in The Vampire Diaries by taking on three distinct roles: Elena, Katherine, and Amara. She portrayed Elena Gilbert from season 1 to season 6 before deciding to leave the show. Dobrev believed that she had fully explored the stories of Elena, Katherine, and Amara and felt it was time to move on (via ABC). Although The Vampire Diaries continued for two more seasons after Dobrev's departure, it faced criticism for its repetitive nature.

To address Dobrev's absence while leaving the possibility for her return, the show's creators devised a clever solution. Instead of killing off Elena, they placed her under a sleeping spell that connected her life to Bonnie's. As long as Bonnie remained alive, Elena would remain in a Sleeping Beauty-like state. Dobrev made her return in the season 8 finale of The Vampire Diaries, reuniting with Damon and her family.

9. Charlie Harper - Two And A Half Men

Season 1 to Season 8

Charlie Sheen, known for his charismatic and comedic portrayal of Charlie Harper in Two and a Half Men, garnered a substantial fan base and critical acclaim. However, behind the scenes of the TV show, there was a tumultuous amount of drama. After eight seasons, Sheen was ultimately terminated due to his "dangerously self-destructive behavior" and struggles with substance abuse (via Reuters). Nevertheless, the show persevered without Sheen, continuing for an additional four seasons, as Ashton Kutcher stepped in to replace him, assuming the role of the wealthy character, Walden Schmidt.

8. Christy Plunkett - Mom

Season 1 to Season 7

The dysfunctional relationship between Bonnie and Christy Plunkett in Mom played a crucial role in the show's success. Faris portrayed Christy, a struggling single mother battling alcohol addiction while attempting to rebuild her life. Mom enjoyed immense popularity throughout its run, but after seven seasons, Faris made the decision to depart from the CBS sitcom in order to explore other opportunities. Nevertheless, Faris later disclosed that her choice to leave the show was not a deliberate one. She prioritized spending more time with her son and determined that channeling her energy into that aspect of her life was what she truly desired (via TV Insider).

7. Jill Munroe - Charlie's Angels

Following Christy's departure from Mom, the show continued for an additional season. Allison Janney, who portrayed Bonnie on the series, assumed the role of the main character in season 8. Mom lacked the essence that propelled its popularity due to the absence of the significant relationship, prompting the showrunners to make the appropriate decision of concluding it during its peak.

Season 1

The popular '70s TV show Charlie's Angels was a household favorite, captivating viewers as they watched the trio of women fight against villains. Farrah Fawcett, known as Jill Munroe, was one of the angels. Despite her immense fame, Fawcett decided to leave the show after the first season due to dissatisfaction with her character's portrayal and inadequate compensation. She shifted her focus towards other interests and her marriage. Initially, it seemed impossible to find a replacement for Fawcett. However, the perfect fit was discovered in Cheryl Ladd, who took on the role of Kris Munroe. Charlie's Angels continued for four more successful seasons, ultimately coming to an end in season 5. Although Fawcett departed after season 1, she made occasional guest appearances on the show before bidding farewell to Charlie's Angels.

6. Jennifer Worth - Call The Midwife

Season 1 to Season 3

Jessica Raine wasn't the sole cast member to depart from Call the Midwife. Known for portraying Jennifer Worth, the show's leading character, Raine's absence created a significant void that couldn't be easily filled. This was particularly challenging as Worth's character served as the foundation for the Jennifer Worth diaries. The exact reason behind Raine's departure from the show after three seasons remains unclear, although it is rumored that she left to pursue an acting career in the United States.

With no other option, the creators of Call the Midwife had to adapt by altering the source material and introducing original stories inspired by historical references. Worth's departure was addressed by explaining that she ventured off to work at the Marie Curie Hospice. Despite Worth's exit, Call the Midwife has successfully aired for 12 seasons and counting, maintaining its status as one of the finest British drama series on television.

After Jessica Raine left Call the Midwife, she went on to star in several TV shows and movies, including Benjamin, Camilla, Jericho, and The Devil's Hour.

5. Frank Underwood - House Of Cards

Season 1 to Season 5

Several political dramas are available for viewers to indulge in, but the intricate storyline of House of Cards solidified its position as one of the best. With five seasons worth of Frank Underwood's cunning, scheming, and treachery, it provided endless entertainment. However, behind the scenes, the situation was far from perfect for actor Kevin Spacey, who was dismissed following allegations of sexual misconduct (via NBC News). Despite the integral role played by the dynamic between Frank and his wife, House of Cards carried on for an additional season with Claire Underwood leading the way.

4. Rayna Jaymes - Nashville

Season 1 to Season 5

Blending country music with the ups and downs of both professional and personal life, Nashville proved to be an incredibly engaging series. However, during season 5, the show experienced a significant change when one of its central figures, Rayna Jaymes (played by Connie Britton), departed due to creative differences (as reported by Variety). In order to account for her absence, the decision was made to have Rayna's character meet a tragic demise. Despite this unexpected turn of events, Nashville managed to continue for another season, shifting its focus onto the remaining characters in the show.

3. John Dorian - Scrubs

Season 1 to Season 8

Of all the medical TV shows available, none have captured the humor that made Scrubs such a beloved series. Zach Braff portrayed John Dorian, the main protagonist in the show. Although he was part of Scrubs for eight seasons, JD was only a central character in six out of the 13 episodes of season 9. This is because Zach Braff was exhausted and needed a break from television (via Collider). JD made a few more appearances on Scrubs to facilitate the show's transition after his departure, ultimately leading to the series finale after season 9.

2. Fox Mulder - The X Files

Season 1 to Season 7

The impact of The X-Files on science fiction dramas cannot be overstated. David Duchovny portrayed Fox Mulder, a character dedicated to investigating peculiar and unresolved cases alongside his partner Dana Scully. The exceptional chemistry between Mulder and Scully greatly contributed to the enchantment of The X-Files. Therefore, the departure of Duchovny from the show after seven seasons, due to the expiration of his contract, was a significant setback (via International Business Times). Although The X-Files continued for four more seasons, replacing Mulder with John Doggett, it failed to recapture the magic that Mulder brought to the series.

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprised their roles as Mulder and Scully after X-Files was revived for its 10th season.

1. Michael Scott - The Office

Season 1 to Season 7

During the course of its runtime, The Office experienced the departure of several characters. Notably, Steve Carell's portrayal of Michael Scott contributed significantly to the sitcom's immense popularity. Michael's comedic wit, penchant for misquotes, and propensity for assuming alter egos established him as an outstanding character within The Office. However, following a span of seven seasons, Carell made the decision to leave the highly acclaimed show. In an enlightening interview on The Office Ladies podcast, Carrel elaborated on his departure, explaining that it was time for other characters to take center stage and explore new storylines.

Despite the attempts by The Office's creators to extend the show by two additional seasons and bring in new characters such as Will Ferrell's Deangelo Vickers, the absence of the main protagonist noticeably changed the dynamic. The subsequent seasons placed greater emphasis on Jim and Pam's romance, while introducing controversial figures as the Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Nevertheless, the ninth and final season of The Office delivered a gratifying ending, as Carell made a cameo appearance in the show's finale.

Editor's P/S

The departure of a main character from a TV show can be a devastating blow to fans. After all, these characters have become like family to us, and it's hard to imagine the show without them. However, as the article points out, there are a number of TV shows that have successfully continued on without their lead character.

In some cases, the show has been able to reinvent itself and find new ways to engage viewers. In other cases, the show has simply limped along until its inevitable cancellation.

It will be interesting to see how these shows fare in the long run. Will they be able to maintain their popularity without their lead characters? Only time will tell.