Moviefone santa logo
Trending
New 'Avatar: Fire & Ash' Trailer
'The Mandalorian and Grogu' Trailer
'Wicked: For Good' Trailer
'Zootopia 2' Teaser Trailer
Buy TicketsHighlightsNew MoviesTV ShowsStreamingMovie ChartsVideosWhat to WatchIn TheatersMovie TheatersComing SoonMovie ReviewsMoviefone TVMade In HollywoodNewsCelebritiesNetflixPrime Video
The SubstanceThe SubstanceConclaveConclaveThe AccountantThe AccountantA Real PainA Real PainFlowFlowZero DayZero DayThe White LotusThe White LotusParadiseParadiseSeveranceSeveranceYellowjacketsYellowjackets
Don’t Miss Out! Sign Up for the Moviefone Newsletter Today.
Highlights
  1. News
  2. ›Best TV Shows Ever

We Still Can't Get Over These Deaths of Our Favorite TV Characters

Jesse Schedeen
November 15, 2018 - 1 min read

When you spend hours and hours with a group of TV characters, it can be hard to deal when one of your favorites is killed off. From "Battlestar Galactica's" Dualla to Charlie on "Lost," these are the deaths that still haunt us years after the fact.

Dualla on 'Battlestar Galactica'

"Battlestar" sure knew how to throw out a shocking twist or two, and not always revolving around the question of whether "Character X" is a Cylon. Dualla's unexpected death was made all the more shocking by its abrupt nature. Midway through the show's final season, she just gave up and put a gun to her head.

Sarah Lynn on 'BoJack Horseman'

Many of the main characters in this surprisingly grim animated sitcom are former Hollywood stars dealing with the crushing loneliness that comes after fame has departed. No episode explored that better than the one where BoJack reunites with former costar Sarah Lynn. After a night of drunken debauchery, Sarah Lynn passes away peacefully inside a planetarium, one more victim drawn into BoJack's destructive orbit.

Hank on 'Breaking Bad'

One of the driving questions throughout "Breaking Bad" was whether DEA agent Hank would ever realize his own brother-in-law is the notorious drug kingpin Heisenberg. Hank finally did learn the truth, but not in time to save himself. Hank's murder stands out as one of the most chilling moments in the series, because it signified that Walt was finally beyond all hope of redemption. The end had arrived, and the rest was just details.

Joyce on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'

Buffy Summers and her allies deal with death and the supernatural on a weekly basis. That's what made the death of her mother Joyce in "The Body" such a gut-punch. This stripped-down episode explored Buffy's inability to deal with death when it occurs as a random, matter-of-fact part of life and not an epic clash between good and evil.

Jadzia Daz on 'Star Trek: Deep Space 9'

The DS9 crew had to deal with plenty of heartache in the final couple seasons of the series. Seeing Worf and Dax finally get married felt like the happy development our heroes deserved. So of course that wedding was shortly followed by Dax's tragic death. The fact that she effectively returned with a new human host (and actress) only rubbed salt in that particular wound.

Dr. Greene on 'ER'

Dr. Greene was generally considered to be the de facto main character of "ER" in its first eight seasons, as he was the only original member of the cast to stick around that whole time. But even that couldn't last, and he was eventually killed off via brain cancer. His death was not only intensely emotional, it signaled the end of an era for this beloved medical drama.

Yancy Fry on 'Futurama'

Considering that viewers had never met Fry's older brother prior to "Luck of the Fryrish," it's pretty amazing that his death managed to elicit such a strong reaction. But that's why this episode is cherished above almost all others. Fry's bitter rivalry with his long-dead brother is instantly transformed when he realized just how much Yancy mourned his absence back in the 21st Century.

George on 'Grey's Anatomy'

We have to cringe whenever it's announced that an actor is leaving "Grey's Anatomy," as this usually means they're about to be written off in gruesome fashion. That was certainly the case with the lovable George O'Malley. In his final episode, George's friends didn't even realize the John Doe patient on their operating table was poor George until it was too late to say goodbye.

Charlie on 'Lost'

Perhaps no character on "Lost" underwent such a dramatic and uplifting character arc asCharlie. That trend contineud right up to the end, as Charlie faced an inevitable death by drowning. In his final moments, rather than struggle to save himself, he passed on one final, vital message to his friends before sacrificing himself.

Ned Stark on 'Game of Thrones'

"Game of Thrones" is a series notorious for killing off anyone and everyone when the mood strikes. Back in Season 1, we weren't fully prepared for that fact. That is, not until kindly, noble Ned Stark had his head lopped off by that little s*** Joffrey. It was a stunning reminder that the usual rules don't apply in this fantasy universe. Unless the rule is, "Sean Bean's character always dies sooner or later."

Adriana on 'The Sopranos'

The body count really swelled in the final season of "The Sopranos," but no death hit quite as hard as Adriana. Her death scene acted as a huge dramatic swerve, with both Adriana and viewers slowly coming to the realization that she was being driven not to visit her husband in the hospital, but to face the ultimate punishment for cooperating with the FBI.

ERbojack horsemanGame of Thronesthe sopranosfuturamastar trek deep space ninebattlestar galacticabreaking badLost
Best TV Shows EverStreaming Movies & TV
Jesse Schedeen
Article by Jesse Schedeen
Freelance Writer

From Our Partners

The ‘Harlem’ Season 3 Trailer Brings Romance, Drama And Eye CandyHello Beautiful
The ‘Harlem’ Season 3 Trailer Brings Romance, Drama And Eye Candy
Wicked’s New Lion: Colman Domingo’s Most Powerful Films & TV ShowsGlobal Grind
Wicked’s New Lion: Colman Domingo’s Most Powerful Films & TV Shows
‘Sinners’: Black Horror Scholars Discuss The Blockbuster FilmNewsOne
‘Sinners’: Black Horror Scholars Discuss The Blockbuster Film

Related News

'This Is Us' Adds 'ER' Alum Goran Višnjić for Beth Backstory Arc
'This Is Us' Adds 'ER' Alum Goran Višnjić for Beth Backstory Arc
'ER,' 'Stand and Deliver' Actress Vanessa Marquez Shot and Killed by Police
'ER,' 'Stand and Deliver' Actress Vanessa Marquez Shot and Killed by Police
15 Hot TV Doctors That Get Our Pulses Racing
15 Hot TV Doctors That Get Our Pulses Racing
The 9 Best Emergency Room TV Shows, Ranked
The 9 Best Emergency Room TV Shows, Ranked

More News on Moviefone

Movie Review: ‘Eternity’
Movie Review: ‘Eternity’
Best Thanksgiving Movies of All Time, Ranked
Best Thanksgiving Movies of All Time, Ranked
Cult Cinema Icon Udo Kier Dies at 81
Cult Cinema Icon Udo Kier Dies at 81
Movie Review: 'Zootopia 2'
Movie Review: 'Zootopia 2'
‘Wicked: For Good’ Enjoys Strong Opening Box Office
‘Wicked: For Good’ Enjoys Strong Opening Box Office
Movie Review: ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’
Movie Review: ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’
  • New Movies
  • Movies In Theaters
  • Movies Coming Soon
  • Movies Streaming Now
  • TV Shows
  • Best Movies
  • Best TV Shows

Follow Moviefone

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSSNewsletterWidgets

Movie and TV Reviews

Top Movies

The Substance poster
The Substance
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
71
Conclave poster
Conclave
What happens behind these walls will change everything.
72
The Accountant poster
The Accountant
Calculate your choices.
71

Top Series

Zero Day poster
Zero Day
Truth has been weaponized.
70
The White Lotus poster
The White Lotus
Same luxury. New reservations.
76
Paradise poster
Paradise
Read between the lies.
76

Latest Trailers

'How to Make a Killing' Trailer2:27'How to Make a Killing' Trailer
'Dead Man's Wire' Trailer2:29'Dead Man's Wire' Trailer
'The Night My Dad Saved Christmas 2' Trailer1:52'The Night My Dad Saved Christmas 2' Trailer
'The Moment' Teaser1:29'The Moment' Teaser
'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Teaser2:11'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Teaser
'Train Dreams' Trailer1:09'Train Dreams' Trailer
Moviefone xmas logo
MoviesTV ShowsStreamingShowtimesWhat to WatchVideosNews
AboutContact UsSitemapTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSSNewsletterWidgets
Copyright © 2025 Moviefone Media LLC
Asset 1This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.
Moviefone Weekly

Moviefone is your ultimate guide to what's new in theaters and streaming on any screen. Each week, we'll help you discover the biggest releases & hidden gems. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter. Moviefone: find it. watch it.

No spam, unsubscribe anytime.