Summary
It’s rare that a TV show would be better if more characters were killed off, but this has become the case for many series that have dropped the ball by shielding their characters with plot armor.The risk of death in action, fantasy, crime, and adventure shows is a vital part of the stakes,and if the audience knows the character won’t die, there’s no reason to be invested in the story. However, a careful balance must be struck to include the perfect amount of character deaths for the maximum emotional impact and story development.
Occasionally, there are shows that kill off too many characters, making it impossible for the viewer to be invested in anyone or any relationship.
Occasionally, there are shows that kill off too many characters, making it impossible for the viewer to be invested in anyone or any relationship. This can have an equally detrimental effect on the audience’s trust in the writers and their interest in the show. While someTV shows never recover from a character’s death,there’s usually good reason behind the choice to kill off a character.If it’s not a senseless killing and serves the greater thematic beats of the narrative, there’s no other option but for the writers to end the character’s arc.
10 Shocking TV Deaths That Proved No Character Was Safe
The deaths of Ned Stark, Glenn Rhee, Boone Carlyle, and other major characters established that no one is safe from death in their respective shows.
10Stranger Things (2016–Present)
The only characters that die in Stranger Things are introduced that same season.
WhileStranger Thingshas consistently been one of Netflix’s most successful shows since its premiere in 2016, the series isn’t without its problems. Watching the child actors grow up onscreen has been charming, but it’s also been jarring to see these young adults battle the same monsters over and over again when they’re aging out of their roles. Additionally,Stranger Thingshas come under fire for its formulaic approach to cost and consequenceswhen it comes to character deaths. Though the series tries to maintain high stakes, it’s easy to pick out what characters are going to die.
The show’s main cast is heavily shielded by plot armor, while secondary characters are introduced within the same season they’re killed off.
This is because the show’s main cast is heavily shielded by plot armor, while secondary characters are introduced within the same season they’re killed off. If there’s a new and compelling character caught up in the adventures of people who have been on the series since season 1, it’s safe to say that they’ll be sacrificed rather than the better-known individuals. In the upcomingStranger Thingsseason 5 conclusion,the series must buck this trend and sacrifice a character of great value for the strongest emotional impact.
Stranger Things
Cast
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
9The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)
Though the show is populated by death, few of the right characters ever meet their end.
A series might resurrect its characters, especially if it’s a fantasy show. Additionally, when the creators of a show want to be renewed for as long as possible, they might avoid killing off any main character, so they don’t limit their narrative options. In the case ofThe Umbrella Academy,the story is based on the original comic book series, so it makes sense that the recurring characters wouldn’t be the ones who die.However, the series has never been afraid to diverge from the comics, and focusing its plot on fewer characters might have helped the series.
In almost every season ofThe Umbrella Academy, the characters are attempting to stop the end of the world, but there are only so many times this hits home as a reasonable conflict.When it comes to villains or side characters,The Umbrella Academywill use its violent and graphic toneto great effect. At this point, it would be a shocking but welcome surprise for the show to include a death that dramatically shifts the series' tone. AsThe Umbrella Academyseason 4 premiere approaches, it will be interesting to see how the show wraps up.
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The Hargreeves — collectively known as The Umbrella Academy — were born with superpowers, and their adoptive father utilized their abilities. However, as they grew older, the siblings grew apart as they dealt with their trauma. They are brought back together after their father dies and Five returns from the future with grave news: The world will end, and The Umbrella Academy has to stop it before it happens.
8Shadow And Bone (2021–2023)
Though made for a YA audience, Shadow and Bone could push itself further.
One of the best thingsShadow and Bonedid to expand on the books was to make Alina biracial and explore what this means in the story’s world.
The TV series based on Leigh Bardugo’s novel trilogy,Shadow and Bone, didn’t make the impact that Netflix hoped it would on viewers. Despite the popularity of the books,Shadow and Bonefailed to capture the best parts of the story and lacked consistency in pacing and character relationships. In the books, the protagonist, Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), has plenty of plot armor.However, the show had the opportunity to change things, especially when it came to the secondary characters and increasing the dramatic tension of the story in general.
There are many great fantasy books and movies made for young adult audiences that tactfully deal with death and lossthrough nuanced portrayals. Though Alina loses a lot, there’s never any real fear that she or Mal (Archie Renaux), her best friend turned love interest, won’t make it out of the series alive. One of the best thingsShadow and Bonedid to expand on the books was to make Alina biracial and explore what this means in the story’s world. This change ultimately made the show more complex, as would the experience of more onscreen loss for Alina.
Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone is a fantasy series set in a world divided by a barrier of darkness. Released on July 29, 2025, it follows a young soldier who discovers a unique power that could reunite her country amid a backdrop of scheming forces, including thugs, thieves, and assassins.
7American Rust (2021–2024)
Jeff Daniel’s short-lived crime drama could have raised the stakes and fully developed its characters.
There is no shortage of crime dramas that take place in America’s heartland. There are successes likeMare of Easttownand the more middlingAmerican Rust. Based on the novel by Philipp Meyer, theAmerican Rustshow makes changes from the book. However, many of them decrease the emotional development of the characters instead of uplifting them.American Rust’s real problems began in season 2 when the show had to develop an original scriptsince Meyer only wrote one book. This could have been an exciting opportunity to play with elements that would differentiate itself from similar series.
Unfortunately, Jeff Daniels' character, Del, doesn’t improve as a character in depth or compelling storylines.All of season 1 revolves around the murder of one man and the people who are accused and responsible for his death. It ends with Del taking the law into his own hands, which could have led to a very interesting narrative for season 2, butAmerican Rustdisappoints overall. Seeing people who have committed truly terrible acts face the consequences of their actions would elevate the show.
American Rust
Set in a small Rust Belt town in Pennsylvania, “American Rust” is a gritty drama series that delves into the lives of the town’s inhabitants as they grapple with poverty, drug addiction, and the remnants of the American dream. Jeff Daniels stars as the town’s compromised chief of police, who finds himself torn between his duty and his loyalty to those he loves when a murder case emerges, threatening to unveil the community’s dark secrets.
6Outer Range (2022–2024)
This genre-bending thriller makes the audience question who should live or die.
ThoughOuter Rangehas come to an end following a cancelation in the wake of season 2,the episodes that do exist are strong examples of a series that could have hit its stride in the future.Unfortunately, thanks to the immediacy of streaming today, TV series can’t experiment and try new things before they hit their stride. Including violence and death doesn’t automatically mean a story will grip audiences. However, it can be a memorable feature of a show. In this way,Outer Rangecould have been pushed further when compared to the graphic offerings on TV today.
The Neo-Western genre has been one of the most popular in the past several years. Filmmakers use the genre as a way to redefine their position within the legacy of the American West.
The Neo-Western genre has been one of the most popular in the past several years. Filmmakers use the genre as a way to redefine their position within the legacy of the American West. It’s interesting thatOuter Rangeincludes elements of sci-fi and time travel. In addition, it has aspects of traditional thrillers, making the series stand out.Outer Rangetruly wanted to emulate the supposed lawless and volatile nature of the West. However, if this was the case,more characters should have been pushed to do things they never thought possible.
Outer Range
Created for Amazon Prime Video, Outer Range is a Sci-Fi and Western television series that began in 2022. The series was created by Brian Watkins and stars both Imogen Poots and Josh Brolin. The premise sees a Wyoming rancher trying to care for his farm and keep his land safe when a strange void shows up in one of his pastures.
5Doctor Who (1963–Present)
There’s never any doubt that the Doctor will come out of every episode unscathed.
Doctor Whois one of the longest-running and most beloved science fiction TV series of all time, and it’s maintained its audience base well throughout the years. While there are high stakes and elements of danger inDoctor Who, it made its name by being a family-friendly fantasy show that began with strong roots in education.A key feature of the character the Doctor is that they’re an alien who can regenerate their bodywhen on the brink of death, becoming a new incarnation with a new actor. This has allowedDoctor Whoto cast many different actors.
Being able to incorporate elements of death and loss while continuing the same formula of the show is one of the best parts of the show’s premise.Doctor Whois also just as defined by the Doctor’s human companionsas it is by the Doctor themselves. There have been a few instances when a companion has died, but it’s few and far between because it’s such a permanent end. There have been many times that the Doctor and their companions cheat death, which decreases the tension when they’re put in danger.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who: Doctor Who is a British sci-fi television series debuting in 1963, following The Doctor, a time-traveling alien Time Lord. The Doctor explores the universe in the TARDIS, accompanied by companions, confronting various adversaries and striving to save civilizations while addressing injustices.
4Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018–2020)
Taking a darker angle than the original series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina falls short of its promise.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrinaputs its teenage characters in terrifying positions fighting the forces of darkness, but they come out virtually unscathed time and again.
The spiritual reboot ofSabrina The Teenage Witchcouldn’t be more different from the original series.Chilling Adventuresof Sabrinaattempted to introduce dark and dangerous elements to the original premisewhile updating the story for modern audiences. Overall, the show missed the mark in most cases and turned off viewers who were attached to the first show.Chilling Adventures of Sabrinaputs its teenage characters in terrifying positions fighting the forces of darkness, but they come out virtually unscathed time and again.
Each season attempted to raise the stakes, but this became increasingly difficult as there were terrifying conflicts from the beginning. Of all the best series about witchcraft and dark fantasy,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinais one of the weakest as it veers away from emotional realism.In fantasy worlds, it’s of utmost importance to create emotional realismwithin unfamiliar plots and settings as it anchors the story and makes it easy for the audience to connect with it. Though the death of a character is upsetting, it’s relatable and transcends genre.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Based on the Archie comic series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a Netflix supernatural horror series that follows Sabrina Spellman, a young half-witch, half-human that is coming into her powers in her teenage years. To protect her friends, family, and the world itself, Sabrina will have to harness her powers and ignore the calls from her darker side to embrace her evil potential fully and instead use her powers for good. Despite the series cancellation in 2020, the show’s story was continued in The Occult World of Sabrina, a comic book serial.You can buy the seasons for just $9.99 for Prime Day.
3Riverdale (2017–2023)
While often accused of being silly and nonsensical, Riverdale doesn’t include some shocking deaths.
There’s little to say aboutRiverdalethat hasn’t already been fully discussed, as the long-running CW show evolved more times over its seven seasons than most TV shows ever do.Riverdaleslowly drifted further and further from reality throughout the episodes, and by the end,it had resurrected and killed off many characters in alternate realities.However, none of these consequences bleed into the next phase of the show, meaningRiverdalecould enact all kinds of violence and misery upon its characters with no lasting effects.
It makes sense thatRiverdalewas hesitant to kill off any of the central characters, as their outlandish behavior and intricate relationship dynamics were what kept audiences coming backfor more. However, one of the biggest aspects of melodrama thatRiverdalemissed out on was serious loss within the core group.Riverdale’s legacy will likely be defined by the truly unbelievable plot developments that occur throughout the show and also the fact that so many original characters made it to the final season.
Riverdale
A darker take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends from the Archie Comics series, Riverdale is a CW supernatural mystery series that sees the group trying to illuminate the truth surrounding various strange occurrences and murders in the titular town. When a teenage girl is found dead in the once-quiet town, the event starts a series of ever-growing mysteries that ultimately lead to darker secrets in the town’s history. Led by Archie, the Riverdale gang will attempt to navigate their new normal while dealing with all of the drama that comes with being high school teenagers.
2The Wilds (2020–2022)
This survival show includes plenty of twists and turns but doesn’t go far enough.
The Wildsseason 1 showed promise and could have had a longer run if the series stuck with the characters from season 1 instead of pivoting to a new cast. Part of the reason somany audience members connected toThe Wildswas because it centered on the experiences and development of a group of young womenand took their feelings seriously. Unfortunately, season 2 switched to the perspective of a group of young men. While their lives and character arcs are just as important, pulling focus from season 1’s central characters undermines the defining thematic elements of the show.
Much of season 1 revolves around the women’s fight for survival, and there’s one key character death in one of the early episodes.
Much of season 1 revolves around the women’s fight for survival, and there’s one key character death in one of the early episodes. However,it’s immediately clear that this character was always meant to be expendable.Additionally, the people who turn out to be pulling the strings behind the survivor’s plane crash should face far worse fates. There was still room for growth hadThe Wildscontinued into season 3, and if the story had moved forward, greater sacrifice would have been required.
The Wilds
The Wilds is a drama series created for Amazon Prime Video. After a plane crash strands them on a deserted island, a group of teenage girls from different areas of life and the world must find a way to work together to survive. As they fight the elements and each other, they remain unaware that their arrival on the island has been planned - and the entire experience is under a shadowy figure’s control.
11 TV Actors That Asked For Their Characters To Be Killed Off
No matter how popular a TV character might be, sometimes the actors ask for them to be killed off, but not all of them get what they ask for.
1The Society (2019)
The short-lived teen drama with a Lord of the Flies-esque twist.
It’s a shame thatThe Societyonly ran for one season, as the series never had the chance to fully develop or transform into the best series it could be.The show’s premise is similar toLord of the Fliesin that a group of teenagers find themselves isolatedfrom the outside world after all the adults suddenly disappear. This leaves the young people to their own devices and requires them to form their own society with laws to maintain order. Starting strong,The Societybegins with a mysterious murder of the young woman who becomes the de facto leader.
The hunt to discover who her killer is remains one of the biggest thrusts of the season. However, a surprisingly low number of deaths occur in the episodes following the inciting incident.In reality, it would be likely that the teens would turn on each other much more quicklyand that there would be more accidental deaths. Additionally, because the show revolves around all the remaining kids in the town, there are a few too many characters to keep track of. IfThe Societyhad been renewed, it’s likely that many more character deaths would have happened.
The Society
One day in West Ham, Connecticut, the students of the local high school return from a field trip to find the rest of the town’s population gone. With a dense forest surrounding the town and no way to contact the outside world via phone or internet, the teenagers must formulate their own rules to maintain their own society and survival.
