15 times an important character left a popular show

The moment the most popular characters of a TV show leave, the entire series takes a different turn, leaving the fans in shock. The reasons for their leaving are either contract disputes, creative differences, or actors pursuing new opportunities. From Steve Carell's emotional exit from The Office to Kal Penn's shocking leave from House, important character exits can really knock a storyline off its direction. We explore 15 significant ones where key characters left some of the most iconic television shows ever.

1) Leroy Jethro Gibbs played by Mark Harmon (NCIS)

Mark Harmon's exit from NCIS after Season 19 was a goodbye to an era of the long-running series. He had played Leroy Jethro Gibbs for 18 years and chose not to return as the show's lead character. It was due to personal time and other creative pursuits that led him to that decision. Gibbs was written out of the storyline when he had to leave the team after the crucial mission and had new leadership instituted in the unit.

2) Lawrence Kutner played by Kal Penn (House)

Kal Penn left the House in Season 5 when his character, Dr. Lawrence Kutner, was killed in a terrible and unexpected turn of events. Kal Penn left, mainly because he chose to become an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement for the Obama administration. This was a shocking surprise for fans, coming as it did in the midst of Kutner's unexpected exit as a suicide. His was a jarring turn of the storyline. Penn actually left in real to go into teaching, leaving behind a hole in the series, and his death was one of House's most shocking deaths.

3) Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce played by Alan Alda (M*A*S*H*)

Alan Alda left M*A*S*H* in 1979 at the end of the series. A star, as well as an important creative force on the show, Alan Alda as Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce not only made it to stardom but also gave color and depth to the humor with emotional depth. It was the 11th season when his character left to go home after suffering from the trauma of the Korean War. Alda left a big hole, and things were different when the rest of the cast continued on without him. His exit is still one of the most famous in TV history.

4) Marissa Cooper played by Mischa Barton (The O.C.)

Mischa Barton's exit from The O.C. in Season 3 was a turning point for the series. She played Marissa Cooper, the most iconic character of the show, who died suddenly at the end of the season finale. She had become tired of the role, and the creators of the show decided to write her out in the most dramatic way possible. Marissa's death had an emotional impact on the characters and the audience, and it really changed the direction of the show. Without her, The O.C. could not regain the same magic.

5) Kat Hernandez played by Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria)

One of the biggest and most surprising moments on the show occurred when Barbie Ferreira left after Season 2 of Euphoria. She played Kat Hernandez, one of the first characters of the show who had received all the accolades for telling a body image and self-acceptance story. Still, by Season 2, Kat was not exactly the focal point, and her character development was incomplete. She had an underwhelming exit. According to later reports, she left due to creative differences with the writers. Her exit was bittersweet to fans because many were looking forward to more development for Kat.

6) Rachel Zane played by Meghan Markle (Suits)

Meghan Markle left the show Suits after season 7. That was one of the significant moments of change for the show, as Markle played Rachel Zane, whom the fans loved dearly, and she left to pursue royal duties with Prince Harry. The loss of Rachel led to the void in the legal drama in which her relationship with Mike Ross, played by Patrick J. Adams, had dominated. Although the show ran for two more seasons, it never regained the same dynamic, and fans are still wondering how Rachel's career in law would have unfolded.

7) Jackson Avery played by Jesse Williams (Grey's Anatomy)

Jesse Williams left Grey's Anatomy after Season 17 to close the book on the long and important run of Dr. Jackson Avery. He had been a part of the show since Season 6, but he announced he was leaving to focus on new creative pursuits. His emotional departure was with Jackson, leaving Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital behind for a new life where he will carry on the social justice work of his family. Williams's leaving marked Jackson's transition from a charming surgeon to a socially conscious advocate.

8) Jessica Pearson played by Gina Torres (Suits)

Gina Torres' exit from Suits in season 6 was a shocker to fans, as her character, Jessica Pearson, was the backbone of the firm. Her exit came at the right time before the plot shift that would be pivotal for the firm in a new phase without her. Torres' decision to leave was due to personal reasons and other projects she wanted to pursue. The character had left a hole that seemed impossible to fill. There was a change in direction for the show, and many other characters took the lead.

9) Simon Basset played by Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton)

Regé-Jean Page's decision to leave Bridgerton after Season 1 stunned many fans, especially with his breakout success as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. The audience praised his on-screen chemistry with Phoebe Dynevor, playing Daphne Bridgerton, so his exit was a hot topic. He pointed out that his contract had always been a one-season deal, and Simon's story would be over after Season 1. Viewers were left with the hope that he'll be back, but the other storyline, involving other characters, went on until they finished their own story in the following seasons.

10) William Mason played by Thomas Howes (Downton Abbey)

Thomas Howes left Downton Abbey in Season 3. His character, William Mason, died during World War I. It was an emotional moment for the audience and the characters because it symbolized how the war affected families and communities. William's love story with his fiancée, Daisy, remained unwritten, and his leaving left a gap in the series that spoke of the brutal facts of the time. Howes's performance as a faithful servant is still dear to the hearts of the audience.

11) Charlie Harper played by Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)

Charlie Sheen's abrupt walkout from Two and a Half Men in 2011 shocked everyone and took the show in an entirely different direction. Chuck Lorre, the creator of the show, fired him after years of erratic behavior and public outbursts. His character, Charlie Harper, was given a very unexpected death; the show brought in the new character, Walden Schmidt, portrayed by Ashton Kutcher. The show continued with four more seasons, although it lost the magic touch it once had.

12) Amy Sosa played by America Ferrara (Superstore)

The dramatic moment: America Ferrera's Season 6 departure from Superstore. As the talented and ambitious yet relatable Amy Sosa, she left the series to pursue new creative ventures. Amy, it was written, leaves the company to take up an offer from a company wanting to clean up their act. She left Cloud 9 to do just that. Ferrera's leaving the ensemble left a huge hole, as many of the storylines centered around Amy. The show still went on without her, but the dynamic and tone of the show did change significantly.

13) Elena Gilbert played by Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries)

Nina Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries at the very end of Season 6; she portrayed the character Elena Gilbert. In the story, her reason for leaving was how a curse forced her to take a deep sleep for decades, thus making time advance for the people in love with her while time stays still for her. Dobrev was strangely absent in Season 7, but the show compensated with other characters. She came in the final season to close up Elena's storyline.

14) Michael Scott played by Steve Carell (The Office)

The departure of Steve Carell from the series The Office after Season 7 marked the final curtain call for the series. Carell, who played the quirky, inappropriate Michael Scott, needed to leave the show to explore other horizons and felt that was the right time for him to leave. It was emotional as Michael, the character, was saying goodbye to Dunder Mifflin and headed out to begin a life with his fiancée, Holly. Carell was missing from the show, and Michael was at the center of its humor and heart, but The Office continued for two more seasons with fresh dynamics of leadership.

15) Donna Gable played by Erinn Hayes (Kevin Can Wait)

An unexpected turn for Kevin Can Wait came with the exit of Erinn Hayes at the end of Season 1. Erinn Hayes played Donna Gable, Kevin's wife (Kevin James). Donna was dramatically written out off-camera, dead between seasons. It came after the show's writers decided to change focus and bring in a new character, Leah Remini, who happens to be Kevin's former police partner. The departure of Hayes drew a negative reaction from viewers, as they felt her character left the series quite abruptly and without a good exit.