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Television can create worlds, form deep emotional connections, and most agonizingly shatter them in an instant. Few things hurt as much as the death of a favorite TV character. It's not the loss of a fictional character; it's the loss of an arc we've emotionally invested in, someone we laughed with, cried with, and cheered on through every twist and turn. Whether their departures were heroic, abrupt, unfair, or believably lifelike, their deaths made the fans cry and writers receive hate mail.
What makes a TV death heart-wrenching isn't necessarily how it occurs, but how it sticks with you. It's in the silence after the last words, the sadness on the faces of the characters left behind, and the impact that ripples across seasons or even spin-offs. Over the past few years, with more character-centric storytelling and representation, TV deaths have transcended being a plot device; they symbolize societal change, loss, and resilience.
This roundup revisits ten of TV's most memorable and heartbreaking deaths. From fantasy sagas to realistic dramas, these characters remind us just how much a fictional farewell can sting. Get the tissues ready.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
Most heartbreaking death in TV shows
1) Ned Stark – Game of Thrones
Ned Stark's death in Season 1 wasn't only surprising, it was revolutionary. Fans were lulled into believing he was the show's inviolable hero, only to see him beheaded in King's Landing. It was a brutal narrative turn, one that indicated no one was safe. By 2025, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will still invoke his legacy, maintaining Ned's moral compass alive in a world that is chaotic. His beheading torments the Starks and viewers, serving as a sign of the show's merciless capriciousness. It was not just a death, it was the killing of conventional storytelling assumptions in fantasy TV.
2) Glenn Rhee – The Walking Dead
Glenn's brutal death at the hands of Negan in Season 7 was gut-wrenching. Fans had grown with him because of his charms, loyalty, and transformation from pizza deliveryman to warrior. The moment had been teased before, but the turn felt like betrayal. His last words, “Maggie, I’ll find you,” still hurt. In The Walking Dead: Dead City 2023, Maggie's lingering grief for Glenn was key to the story, showing his death's ongoing impact on the franchise. Steven Yeun continues to soar in Hollywood and has even been nominated for an Oscar, intensifying the show's already tangible absence of Glenn.
3) Fred Andrews – Riverdale
Luke Perry's on-screen death in 2019 influenced one of Riverdale's most poignant scenes. The show afforded Fred Andrews a heroic departure, dying as he saves a woman along the road. He was greatly missed, not only by Archie but by the whole town. The Season 4 premiere acted as a beautiful homage to character and actor, with heartfelt performances from the cast. In the last season, Archie gives his son the name Fred, a quiet but significant reference to his father's name. Even amidst the show's most turbulent storylines, Fred was the heart a voice of reason, now a memory seared into fans.
4) Maggie Cabbott – The Good Wife
Maggie's off-screen death may not have felt as strong as others, but it significantly changed the tone of The Good Wife. Her overdose wasn't dramatized but referenced quietly, and it felt disturbingly real because of it. The subtlety made it sting more; life continued on, even while characters like Alicia bore the burden. Recent interviews from the showrunners confirm Maggie's death was scripted to reflect the unseen tragedies that continue to mold lives. In 2024's spinoff buzz, Maggie is mentioned briefly once more, making her a ghost in the franchise's narrative.
5) Lexa – The 100
Lexa's death ignited outrage and heartbreak. Murdered by a stray bullet mere moments after she had reaffirmed her love for Clarke, her death was needlessly brutal. The outcry was so enormous that it birthed the "Bury Your Gays" movement, which forced Hollywood to treat LGBTQ+ characters with respect. Years on, she is one of the most lamented characters, and her memory continues to influence The 100 fandom. Her legacy contributed to opening doors for improved queer representation in such shows as The Last of Us and Heartstopper.
6) Will Gardner – The Good Wife
Will Gardner's shocking on-screen death by gunshot in Season 5 was raw emotional whiplash. In court. Viewers and characters were left in stunned silence. Even years after the fact, his absence looms over the show's spin-offs. In The Good Fight's 2022 finale, Alicia dreams of Will one last time, bittersweet closure for long-time viewers. His demise wasn't merely a surprise; it altered the series, diverting Alicia's course for good. Josh Charles' acting remains one of the show's most realistic, and Will's legacy continues to resonate throughout the franchise.
7) Ruth Langmore – Ozark
Ruth's progression from profane teenager to toughened survivor was one of Ozark's greatest achievements. So when Camila Navarro murdered her in the last season, it stung. She'd outlived so much, but not the cartel's reach. Her death wasn't only sad; it was emblematic of the show's overarching reality that nobody leaves unscathed. Julia Garner was awarded three Emmys for playing the role, and in 2024 interviews, she discussed how Ruth remains "an open wound" to fans. While the show itself had a dark tone, Ruth was its hot blood, and her death created a crater that the finale couldn't fill.
8) Marissa Cooper – The OC
Marissa's death in Season 3 was the end of an era for teen dramas of the early 2000s. While "Hallelujah" played, her fatal car accident unfolded like a tragic ballet. Fans were divided; some said her storyline had reached its conclusion, others felt cheated. Either way, the moment when Ryan carries her dead body is still iconic. Even on the 2023 OC podcast rewatch, hosted by Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke, Marissa's death is still the most talked-about topic. It's one of the first times that a teen drama went whole-hog with tragedy, leading to more grown-up storytelling in series like Euphoria and 13 Reasons Why.
9) Hannah Baker – 13 Reasons Why
Hannah's suicide wasn't a narrative device; it was the basis for 13 Reasons Why. Her tapes revealed a culture of abuse, neglect, and misreading. The first season received criticism and acclaim for its unvarnished treatment of teen mental health. Netflix later cut out the graphic scene, but not the emotional damage. In 2024, showrunner Brian Yorkey released unused scenes of Hannah's happier times, bringing renewed discussion to how media covers trauma. Hannah's suicide wasn't intended to shock; it was a reflection of society bringing uncomfortable but necessary discussions into the light.
10) Tara Maclay – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
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Tara's abrupt death, murdered by a stray bullet intended for Buffy, was as heartbreaking as it was unjust. She was among the show's most stable, loving characters. Her death devastated Willow, prompting one of TV's greatest vengeance storylines. Tara and Willow's relationship was a milestone in queer representation in the early 2000s, and her death ignited arguments that still smolder in fan communities today. As of 2025, Buffy's intended reboot has asserted a more protective and inclusive stance for queer storylines, in Tara's name. Amber Benson refused to reappear for the series finale, cementing Tara's loss as unchangeable.
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