13 TV Characters Who Were Killed Off Because The Actors Wanted To Leave The Shows

Warning: This post contains mention of suicide.

Oftentimes, when TV characters are written off, the writers leave room for them to return to the show. Sometimes, however, you can't count on your fave coming back because their fate is more final.

Warning: Spoilers ahead, including MAJOR spoilers for Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2!

Here are 13 TV characters who were killed off because the actors wanted to leave their shows:

1. In 2021, Mischa Barton told E! News that she left The O.C. because she "didn't feel [she] could keep going" amidst a more demanding shooting schedule and "stuff [she thinks] people did wrong and the way they handled it."

In Season 3, Episode 25, Marissa Cooper died in a car wreck that her ex-boyfriend, Kevin Volchok, caused.

2. In 2018, The Walking Dead actor Jeffrey DeMunn told Cleveland.com, "Dale's death was my decision. I was furious about how Frank [Darabont, the showrunner] was pushed out of the show."

In Season 2, Episode 11, Dale Horvath was attacked by a walker. Because his injuries were so severe, Daryl Dixon shot him to end his suffering.

3. While making Fear the Walking Dead Season 3, Frank Dillane "asked the producers and AMC if he could leave the show, because he wanted to pursue other opportunities."

On Season 4, Episode 3, Nick was shot by Charlie, the child who was secretly working for the antagonistic Vultures as a mole.

4. In 2008, Kal Penn left House to serve as the Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs under President Obama.

In Season 5, Episode 20, Dr. Lawrence Kutner died by suicide.

5. In 2019, Game of Thrones actor Julian Glover told IGN, "I didn't want to do [Season 6] because I realized I was being completely dismissed as a character and everyone...Cersei ticked me off all the time, and I never had any comeback. So that wasn't any fun to play."

In Season 6, Episode 10, Grand Maester Pycelle was surrounded and stabbed by children.

6. In 2015, Breaking Bad actor Raymond Cruz told AMC, "I asked them to kill me. Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to coming back and doing the part."

In Season 2, Episode 2, Tuco Salamanca was shot by Drug Enforcement Administration officer Hank Schrader.

7. In 2024, Kevin Costner announced his departure from Yellowstone. He told The Hollywood Reporter, "I gave this thing five seasons. I was really happy to do it. And I don't need drama."

In the first episode of Season 5, Part 2, John Dutton's kids, Kayce and Beth, find an active crime scene in his home, where it appears he's died by suicide. However, the episode flashes back, showing that, six weeks prior, Sarah Atwood, a lawyer who's out to ruin the Duttons, ordered a hit on him.

8. In 2006, Lost actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje told Entertainment Weekly that, after Mr. Eko's initial flashback episode, he felt "the character was complete." He said, "It was such a well-written episode that I knew I would be able to sew him up in a season."

In Season 3, Episode 5, Mr. Eko was captured and killed by the Smoke Monster.

9. In 2016, Grey's Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey told People, "[The show's] given me the opportunity to do everything. But at the same time, there was a cost. I think after a certain period of time, no matter how much money you make, you want control out of your own schedule. It had been long enough."

In Season 11, Episode 22, Dr. Derek Shepherd died from brain injuries after a car accident.

10. Graham Wardle left Heartland after the Season 14 premiere. In 2021, he told The Canadian Press, "I felt in my heart it was time to move in a new direction."

In the final episode of Season 13, a trespassing poacher shot Ty Borden. Then, in the Season 14 premiere, he died from complications from his gunshot wound.

11. In a 2024 Instagram post, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power actor Nazanin Boniadi said, "I made the choice not to return for season two of 'Rings of Power.' This was unrelated to my subsequent decision to prioritize my advocacy. Throughout my career, the values I have held most dear are honesty, empathy and integrity. My character Bronwyn was committed to these same ideals in striving for a fairer world, which is why I connected so deeply with her."

In Season 1, Bronwyn recovered from being shot by an Orc's arrow. However, in Season 2, she died off-screen from the wound.

12. Aidan Turner exited Being Human (UK) because, before Season 3 wrapped, he was offered the role of Kili in the The Hobbit trilogy. However, from the moment series creator Toby Whithouse met Aidan, he "knew he was somebody [they'd] only be borrowing from movie stardom."

In Season 3, Episode 8, the vampire John Mitchell asked his best friend, the werewolf George Sands, to kill him to prevent him from killing again, fulfulling the prophecy that he'd be killed by a werewolf.

13. And finally, in 1956, Jean Hagen reportedly left The Danny Thomas Show (which was previously titled Make Room For Daddy) because she didn't get along with Danny Thomas, who played her onscreen husband, and wasn't happy with her role.

Margaret Williams died offscreen ahead of Season 4, leading her husband to consider sending their children to boarding school.