The Ultimate TV Shows Doomed by the Departure of Key Characters

The departure of a main character in a television show can be a devastating moment, particularly when it leads to the downfall of the series. Saying goodbye to beloved fictional characters is never easy. However, sometimes these exits are unavoidable, while other times they result from regrettable creative decisions made by the writers and producers.

Whether these character exits result in tragic deaths or job opportunities in other locations, the pain is equally felt. Nonetheless, when a crucial piece is removed from a television production, it can have a disappointing ripple effect that ultimately ruins the show. Numerous series have experienced the loss of their main characters, but these ten shows in particular were never able to recover after their departures.

10 The Walking Dead (Glenn Rhee)

After Glenn's shocking death, The Walking Dead faced a decline. The ratings and viewership numbers of the AMC series steadily dropped, with nearly five million fewer viewers tuning in for the second episode of season 7 compared to the premiere. This decline was not only due to fans boycotting the show following Glenn's brutal murder, but also because of the repetitive and uninteresting storylines that seemed to recycle previous plot points. By the time season 11 concluded, The Walking Dead had become a mere shadow of its former self.

9 The Office (Michael Scott)

Whether viewers adored or despised him, Michael Scott was the heart and face of The Office. Therefore, when Steve Carell announced his departure from the comedy series during its seventh season, it became evident that the show would forever lack the presence of his iconic character. Despite the introduction of actors like Will Ferrell and James Spader as new Regional Managers, the NBC mockumentary struggled to find a consistent replacement for Michael. Even when Dwight and Andy took turns as the boss, no one could ever fill the void left by Michael's departure from the series.

8 The Vampire Diaries (Elena Gilbert)

As frustrating as Elena Gilbert could be, it was disheartening to learn of Nina Dobrev's departure from The Vampire Diaries after season 6. Elena, Stefan, and Damon were the faces of the CW teen drama, and the absence of any of them would drastically alter the show. Despite this setback, the writers and producers of The Vampire Diaries attempted to move forward with only Stefan and Damon taking center stage in the series. However, the storylines in seasons 7 and 8 became convoluted and uninteresting. Fortunately, Dobrev made a return for the series finale, ultimately providing a satisfying ending for the beloved show.

7 The OC (Marissa Cooper)

Marissa Cooper's death on the teen drama television series The OC is often regarded as one of the most tragic and unnecessary. Despite being a prominent character since the beginning, actress Mischa Barton expressed her desire to leave the show, leading creator Josh Schwartz to devise a dramatic exit for Marissa. In the season 3 finale, Marissa's ex-boyfriend, Kevin, consumed by anger after being rejected, deliberately crashed his car into Ryan and Marissa's vehicle, resulting in a fatal outcome for Marissa. Although Ryan managed to survive the accident, the loss of Marissa left viewers devastated and dissatisfied. Subsequently, The OC struggled to maintain its viewership, leading to its cancellation by FOX after just one more season. The decision to kill off such a central character proved to be a fatal blow to the series, and even years later, it is often easier to imagine the show ending prior to the season 3 finale.

6 One Tree Hill (Lucas Scott & Peyton Sawyer)

The presence of Lucas Scott, Nathan Scott, Peyton Sawyer, Brooke Davis, and Haley James Scott was what made One Tree Hill shine, and without them, the show inevitably declined. Fortunately, the WB/CW series experienced six remarkable seasons with this core group, and fans only had to endure three seasons without two of them. Nevertheless, it was still heart-wrenching when Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton departed from the series.

Lucas and Peyton received their well-deserved happy ending, riding off into the sunset together with their baby, Sawyer. Arguably, this should have been the perfect finale for One Tree Hill. Despite the efforts of the writers and producers to continue without them, it became evident in the season 7 premiere that the show could never be the same without Lucas and Peyton. Although Lucas made a brief return in one episode during season 9, it failed to fully satisfy viewers. Eventually, One Tree Hill came to an end after its ninth season, but it is undeniable that the earlier seasons, featuring Lucas, Nathan, Peyton, Brooke, and Haley, will always be the best.

5 Two And A Half Men (Charlie Harper)

After the departure of one of its title namesakes, it would seemingly be a challenging task for any television series to continue. In the case of the beloved CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men, the show revolved around the lives of brothers Charlie and Alan Harper, along with Alan's son Jake. With these three characters at its core, the show enjoyed almost eight successful seasons. However, amidst production, CBS made the decision to part ways with Charlie Sheen following a tumultuous dispute between the actor and the show's producers.

To fill the void left by Charlie's exit, the ninth season premiere of Two and a Half Men introduced a new character named Walden, portrayed by Ashton Kutcher. Initially, the show experienced a surge in ratings due to the behind-the-scenes drama. However, over time, viewership began to decline. Much like the character of Michael Scott in The Office, Charlie was a controversial figure, but his presence played a significant role in the show's success. Despite this setback, the comedy series managed to continue for four more seasons before ultimately concluding its run in 2015 with the twelfth season.

4 Glee (Finn Hudson)

After the majority of the Glee Club members graduated in the season 3 finale, Glee faced the challenge of continuing the series with them as adults while also maintaining the narrative focus on the remaining characters still in high school. However, in season 4, the show began to show signs of decline. The tragic death of Cory Monteith, followed by the writers' decision to kill off Finn in season 5, marked a turning point where it became evident that Glee had reached a point of no return. Finn, who was arguably the heart of the show, was irreplaceable, and his absence left a void that the FOX series could never truly fill.

3 That '70s Show (Eric Forman)

Like many other television shows on this list, That '70s Show relies heavily on its core group of characters. However, when Topher Grace decided to leave the series after season 7, it was only a matter of time before the show concluded. The writers attempted to fill the void left by Eric Forman with a new character named Randy, but the dynamic between Randy and the rest of the friend group never quite clicked. Furthermore, viewers were taken aback when the writers paired Randy with Donna, as it felt like a betrayal to the iconic relationship between Eric and Donna. Ultimately, That '70s Show came to an end after season 8, but luckily, Eric made a return for the series finale, bringing a sense of closure to the fans.

2 Superstore (Amy Sosa)

Right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, America Ferrera made the announcement that she would be departing from Superstore at the end of its fifth season. However, due to production delays, the talented actor ultimately made the decision to return at the start of season 6 in order to provide a sense of closure to Amy Sosa's storyline. As the undeniable main character of the show, Amy's departure left a void that was difficult to fill. Despite the best efforts of the writers to adapt to her absence, the series never quite regained its momentum, ultimately leading to NBC's decision to cancel it. Fortunately, Ferrera made a triumphant return for the final episodes of season 6, allowing Amy and Jonah to have the happy ending they deserved.

1 Teen Wolf (Stiles Stilinski)

Teen Wolf struggled to recover after the departure of Dylan O'Brien's beloved character, Stiles Stilinski. Stiles, known for his wit, relatability, and close friendship with Scott, was sorely missed by fans. Despite being credited as a series regular for most of season 6, O'Brien took a step back from the show, resulting in Stiles' limited presence in the episodes. While his absence initially drove the plot forward, it ultimately contributed to a lackluster storyline in the latter half of the season.

Sometimes, television shows are better off concluding rather than attempting to carry on after the departure of a central character. The creators of Teen Wolf even made an effort to produce a movie without Stiles, but unfortunately, it proved unsuccessful. It should be evident to them now that Teen Wolf lacks its essence without Stiles, and the franchise cannot sustain itself if O'Brien chooses not to reprise his role.