Devastating TV Character Deaths
Television has a cruel habit of breaking our hearts. Sometimes, a character’s end serves the story. Other times, it feels like an act of pure betrayal.
Every so often, though, a show delivers a loss so gut-wrenching it transcends the screen—we grieve as if we’ve lost someone real.
From the hospital halls of Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs to the brutal worlds of Orange is the New Black and Sons of Anarchy, these 20 shocking TV deaths didn’t just end storylines—they shattered viewers everywhere.
Derek Shepherd
One of the hardest TV deaths we’ve ever had to mourn was the heart-wrenching loss of Dr Derek Shepherd, who was often referred to as “McDreamy,” on Grey's Anatomy.
Derek was on his way to the airport when he witnessed a car accident. After saving multiple people’s lives, he gets back into his car and just as he pulls into the road, he becomes distracted by his phone. Seconds later, he’s struck by a truck that ultimately leaves him braindead.
Meredith’s goodbye as she takes him off of life support left viewers sobbing for days.
Poussey Washington
Poussey Washington was an inmate at Litchfield Penitentiary in Orange is the New Black. She was a well-loved character known for her peaceful demeanor.
During a protest in the cafeteria, Poussey intervenes when things get physical between her friend Susanne and one of the guards. The guard subdues Poussey, and unintentionally takes her life in the process.
Tilted Productions, Orange Is The New Black (2013-19)
Lewis Young (Lou)
In Canadian cop drama, Flashpoint, Lewis Young was a beloved member of the SRU Team One.
Lou oversaw the unit’s command truck, and during one call, the crew encountered a landmine—which Lou happened to be standing directly on top of.
After fellow team member Spike did everything he could to disarm the device, Lou calls his parents to say goodbye and sacrifices himself. Spike’s reaction is enough to melt us into a puddle, along with the moments leading up to the final explosion.
Avamar Entertainment, Flashpoint (2008-12)
Jonathan Kent
Smallville’s Jonathan Kent, Clarke Kent’s protective adoptive father, meets with a man named Lionel Luthor, who he believed would expose his son’s greatest secret.
Kent essentially beats up Luthor, but suffers a fatal heart attack in the process.
His passing was highly upsetting for viewers, leaving them in a lengthy state of shock.
Warner Bros., Smallville (2001-17)
Adriana La Cerva
On The Sopranos, moral purity is a rare currency—but Adriana La Cerva came the closest anyone could. Beneath her flashy outfits and naïve charm was a heart that beat with loyalty. Unfortunately, that loyalty became her downfall.
When the FBI cornered her, Adriana was forced into becoming their mole—a role that ate away at her conscience until she finally confessed to her fiancé, believing love would protect her. It didn’t.
Instead of helping her escape, he went to Tony Soprano. What followed remains one of television’s most haunting betrayals. Adriana’s end wasn’t just brutal—it was heartbreakingly cold, the kind of scene that leaves you stunned long after the credits roll.
Ben Sullivan
Scrubs was filled with death, but the saddest occurrence was that of Ben Sullivan.
Ben, Jordan’s silly brother, visits the hospital to treat a hand injury, only to be diagnosed with leukemia.
The famous episode in the third season shows Ben following Dr Cox around the hospital in a rather jolly and cheerful manner. But, in the episode’s twist ending, it’s revealed that Dr Cox was imaging Ben as a form of grief denial. Ben had actually passed earlier in the episode.
Bob Newby
Netflix’s Stranger Things is another show filled with captivating characters—and their untimely deaths. However, viewers claim the saddest of all was that of Bob Newby.
Bob was a beloved character who didn’t have a malicious bone in his body. But after saving the group in the Hawkins lab, Bob is fatally mauled by invading demodogs.
His brutal demise happens directly in front of Joyce, creating an intense, emotion-filled moment of horror for viewers.
Netflix, Stranger Things (2016-25)
Haley Brooks
Haley Brooks was the ex-wife of Aaron Hotchner, the head chief at Quantico in Criminal Minds.
In a sudden turn of events, Haley becomes the victim of killer George Foyet, who then forces her to say goodbye to Aaron before he takes her life.
Haley and Aaron share loving and sympathetic words, and then she gives her son Jack a heartbreaking hug knowing full well she will never see him again.
The entire episode is performed in a manner that shatters our hearts into a million pieces.
Paramount Television, Criminal Minds (2005-)
Howard Hamlin
In the Breaking Bad spinoff, Better Call Saul, Jimmy’s old boss, Howard Hamlin, visits his apartment only to meet the notorious Lalo Salamanca—who then ends his life with a shot to the head.
The act is a dramatic and sickening end to one of the show’s only moral characters.
High Bridge Productions, Better Call Saul (2015-22)
Wallace
In The Wire, young Wallace was never a villain—just a kid trying to survive in a world that chewed people up. He wasn’t cruel or calculating, just caught in the wrong business with the wrong people.
When rumors swirl that he’s been talking to the cops, Wallace is branded a snitch—and the streets show no mercy. What follows is one of television’s most gut-wrenching moments, as two of his own friends are ordered to take him out.
It’s a scene that broke hearts everywhere. Wallace’s end wasn’t just tragic—it was a cruel reminder of how innocence doesn’t stand a chance in the game.
Glenn Rhee
Popular zombie show The Walking Dead is another series that's notorious for killing off beloved characters. But the demise of Glenn rocked fans the hardest.
He was a major character since the very beginning, and his youthful kindness easily made him a fan favorite.
However, in the seventh season premiere, we watch Negan brutally dispose of Glenn—leaving viewers with horrendous nightmares.
AMC, The Walking Dead (2010-22)
Opie Winston
Another wholesome character lost, Opie Winston from Sons of Anarchy was a kind and loving family man who got mixed up with a motorcycle group. He ended up behind bars with his fellow Sons and sacrificed himself to save the others.
In a horrific scene, Opie is viciously beaten and dies after sharing a touching goodbye with Jax.
SutterInk, Sons of Anarchy (2008-14)
Mark Greene
ER’s Mark Greene was the series' main protagonist. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in the series’ eighth season and dies with his daughter Rachel by his side.
The scene includes a touching moment when Rachel plays “Over the Rainbow” for him, a song he used to sing to her as a baby.
John Wells Productions, ER (1994-2009)
Rita Morgan
Dexter’s Trinity Killer is arguably one of the greatest villains in television history. He is responsible for the demise of Rita Morgan, Dexter's wife, who seemed untouchable.
The ending of the episode creates genuine shock and despair with haunting visuals, and the thematic resonance of Dexter carrying away his baby.
Showtime Networks, Dexter (2006-13)
George O’Malley
Another Grey's Anatomy passing that shook the world was that of George O’Malley. George was easily one of the most lovable characters of the show, so his passing was gut-wrenching.
As Dr George O’Malley is preparing to leave the hospital to join the Army, he is brought in as a “John Doe” who was struck by a bus just outside the doors.
His injuries are so severe that he is unrecognizable. As he teeters on the brink of death, we learn that his accident came as a result of pushing a stranger out of the way—a heroic act that just adds to the tragedy.
Barely hanging on, George writes his old nickname, “007”, on Meredith’s palm, and she suddenly realizes who he is.
Sadly, George succumbs to his injuries, leaving the world in a shocking despair.
Jack Pearson
This Is Us never pretended to be gentle—it warned us from the start that tears were coming. Still, no one was ready for the gut punch that was Jack Pearson’s passing.
When a fire engulfs the family home, Jack does what any devoted father would: he saves everyone, guiding them to safety through the smoke and flames. But when he runs back inside to rescue the family dog, fate seals his tragic end.
He makes it out alive—just long enough to break our hearts. Hours later, Jack quietly succumbs to cardiac arrest from smoke inhalation, dying offscreen while his wife fetches a soda. It’s not just sad—it’s cruelly ordinary, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Warner Bros., This Is Us (2016-22)
Seymour
Apparently, this episode of Futurama is one that people often skip, unless they happen to be in a really dark place at the time.
The show is based around Fry, who is inadvertently frozen only to be thawed 1,000 years in the future.
One episode, though, tells the heartbreaking tale of Fry’s dog Seymour, who waited every single day for his master’s return until dying at the age of 15.
For many, dog deaths hurt more than human deaths—even when they take place on animated TV shows.
Fox Television Animation, Futurama (1999-)
Will Gardner
Will Gardner’s passing on The Good Wife was shocking and unexpected—making it extremely sad.
In the fifth season, Will is gunned down by his own client who was on trial for taking someone else’s life. The client grabbed a court officer’s piece and shot Will, leaving him bleeding out on the courtroom floor—and shattering the hearts of viewers everywhere.
Scott Free Productions, The Good Wife (2009-16)
Henry Blake
MASH was a dark Army comedy that managed to deliver a dramatic punch every once in a while. One of those punches came in the death of Colonel Henry Blake—one of the most likable characters in the show.
While Henry initially survived active duty, his plane back to the US was shot down and he was slain.
His friends and colleagues are unable to properly mourn his loss as they are instantly tasked with saving the lives of those who somehow survived.
20Th Century Fox, Mash (1972-83)
Glenn
Glenn is one of the original survivors of The Walking Dead, and a character who has been around since the very first episode.
He quickly became a fan favorite over the course of the series, so his demise in the sixth season rocked viewers.
Glenn was slain when his band of survivors ran into Negan.
Amc, The Walking Dead (2010-22)
