Too good to die: 9 Characters from TV shows you wish were kept alive

TV shows have always drawn massive audiences with their compelling stories and relatable characters. They have become a big part of our daily lives — a lens through which we see our own experiences. In our fast, busy world, TV shows have remained a constant, making us laugh, cry, and feel connected. They have a distinctive ability to make us fall in love with their characters, and our hearts break when those characters meet tragic ends.

To move the story forward or for creative reasons, losing beloved characters often leaves fans wishing they could see more of them. We are going to explore nine such characters below, who left an impact on our hearts, making us crave more of their on-screen presence. These characters from different genres and periods have touched audiences with their depth, charm, or future possibilities, making their loss even more painful.

---

Ned Stark - Game Of Thrones

Ned Stark, portrayed by Sean Bean in HBO’s Game of Thrones, was the honorable patriarch of House Stark of Winterfell. He shocked viewers with his death in the first season of the show. As the show’s moral anchor, his strong sense of loyalty and justice made him a fan favourite. His execution by Joffrey not only set the stage for the show’s unpredictability but also removed a strong character who could have helped shape the story in its later stages.

If Ned had lived, the story could have explored his bond with his children, especially Jon Snow, and his conflict with the Lannisters. His leadership could have brought some balance to Westeros, which was slipping into chaos. Fans still mourn his death, as it marked the end of a grounded perspective in a TV show that grew more and more fantastical.

Hank Schrader - Breaking Bad

Hank Schrader from Breaking Bad | Image Via: Sony Pictures Television

Hank Schrader, portrayed by Dean Norris in the iconic American TV show Breaking Bad, is one character fans desperately wished had survived. As a strong yet relatable DEA agent, he added humor, intensity, and heart to the show, which made his death more painful for the viewers.

While Walter White was falling deeper into darkness, Hank’s unshakable drive for justice kept the show’s narrative grounded. His unwavering determination to arrest “Heisenberg” showed his true character. His relationship with his wife and his loyalty towards his family added emotional layers to the show.

With his one-liners and fearless nature, Hank brought much-needed humor and emotional grounding to the show’s dark, intense world. Whether it was cracking jokes, facing dangerous cartels, or striking a balance between wit and toughness, he became one of the show’s most memorable characters. If he had lived, he could have delivered more such moments — and maybe even a spin-off around his DEA work, adding more depth to the Breaking Bad universe.

Glenn Rhee - The Walking Dead

Glen Rhee from The Walking Dead | Image Via: Valhalla Entertainment

It’s acceptable — and kind of anticipated — that some of our favourite characters will be laid to rest in a zombie show, but getting your head smashed with a baseball bat is a whole new level. Glenn Rhee, portrayed by Steven Yeun, was the good guy of the TV show The Walking Dead. His hope, cleverness, and loyalty made him a bright light in a dark world overrun by zombies and survivors turning on each other.

No doubt, Jeffrey Dean Morgan was brilliant in that particular scene, but let’s be honest — we hated him when Glenn’s eye popped out. His loss created a huge void in the story and in the hearts of fans who had rooted for this character from the very beginning.

Glenn’s death was a pivotal moment in The Walking Dead; many fans felt the show had lost its emotional anchor. His relationship with Maggie was one of the deepest connections on the show, showing the power of loyalty even in the darkest of times. His ability to find humanity in chaos made him a fan-favourite character. If Glenn had survived, he could have helped keep hope alive in a world drowning in despair.

Grace Shelby - Peaky Blinders

Grace Shelby, portrayed by Annabelle Wallis, was a timeless icon in the gritty world of the Peaky Blinders TV show. As an important character in the show, she transformed from an undercover agent into a vital member of the Shelby family, winning hearts with her intelligence and unwavering spirit.

Her journey was marked by difficult choices, loyalty, and vulnerability, which made her one of the most layered characters in the show. Her relationship with Tommy Shelby formed the emotional backbone of the story — a bond filled with passion, betrayal, forgiveness, and undeniable chemistry. Their love story, unfolding amid the violence and chaos of post-war Birmingham, brought tenderness into the show’s narrative and offered viewers a rare glimpse of love in Tommy’s hardened life.

The show’s powerful storytelling thrived on its rich characters, and Grace’s absence still leaves a noticeable void. Her sharp wit and fearless loyalty are still missed by fans who wish her story had continued. Peaky Blinders continues to be a major cultural force, and Grace Shelby’s impact continues to be felt — a reminder that some characters are too good to fade away.

Root - Person Of Interest

Root, portrayed by Amy Acker in Person of Interest, was a fan-favourite character whose brilliance, depth, and heartbreaking fate left an unforgettable impact on the TV show. A hacker with a deep connection to the Machine, Root transformed from a cunning antagonist to a loyal ally, showing a mix of practicality, vulnerability, and unwavering belief in artificial intelligence.

Her death in Season 5 of the show was a heartbreaking blow for fans, leading to many discussions over whether her story should have ended differently. Root’s connection with AI wasn’t just functional — it was almost spiritual; she was like a living bridge between humanity and technology. A concept that is even more relatable in 2025, as AI increasingly shapes our world.

Root was more than just a character in the story — she showed us how to embrace the future without losing ourselves. Her character was, indeed, too good to die. Her story is proof that even in death, hope and inspiration continue to endure.

Rebecca Butcher - The Boys

Death in the TV show The Boys is not at all surprising. But Becca was a different case. Presumed dead, this character was the epicenter of the rebellion led by Billy Butcher. It is too much to ask for a happy ending for the couple in such a cruel, cruel world. But the last hope for Butcher’s redemption was gone when Rebecca Butcher was accidentally murdered by her son.

Her character, as Ryan’s mother, showcased the true essence of motherhood — an unstoppable urge to protect her son from the corrupted superheroes. It was especially unfortunate when she was accidentally killed by her son, Ryan, in the second season of the show, during a fight with Stormfront.

The scene where a teary-eyed Billy was holding a silent Becca, while Ryan cried and apologized, aware that his mother was gone, hit viewers very hard. If Becca had been alive, she could have changed the TV show’s narrative — a chance to showcase her lasting influence on Ryan and the fight against Vought.

The Boys is known and admired for its bold storytelling, but her death felt like a void unfulfilled. Fans still mourn her, which speaks to her lasting impact on The Boys.

Eddie Munson - Stranger Things

Now, honestly, we didn’t expect the guy slaying the epic “Master of Puppets” riff to die. But it did happen. Eddie Munson, a charming metalhead, was one of the most loved characters in Season 4 of Stranger Things.

Netflix’s Stranger Things is one of the most beloved shows in recent times, especially among retro music lovers. The TV show has attracted record viewership, and with its great storyline and perfect casting, fans couldn’t help but become attached to its carefully crafted characters.

Millions of people felt heartbroken when Eddie Munson’s tragic death occurred. His heroic sacrifice against Vecna’s bats was epic but gut-wrenching at the same time. Fans have always loved his leadership in the Hellfire Club and his unbreakable friendship with Dustin.

If Eddie had survived, it could have added new layers to the show’s narrative. Fans on different social platforms have expressed their disappointment, imagining all the storylines Eddie could have had.

Foggy Nelson - Daredevil: Born Again

Foggy Nelson was Matt Murdock’s loyal friend and the legal heart of the TV show Daredevil. But the sequel had something else planned for him — death in the first episode. He was one of the key characters of the show; his humor, charm, and unwavering support for Matt brought emotional layers to the darker storyline. He stood by Matt through every trial as his true friend and moral anchor.

His presence in the show reminded viewers that in a world full of violence and negativity, genuine friendship can still shine through. Foggy’s tragic death at the hands of Bullseye in the first episode was shocking for viewers — some might’ve even choked up. Losing this character so early took away one of the few hopeful elements of the show. His death wasn’t just shocking, it felt like a personal loss that still lingers long after the episode ends.

His “Avocados at Law” connection with Matt brought a sense of warmth and balance to the show, making this character, indeed, too good to die.

Charlie Pace - Lost

A sacrifice is both admired and mourned at the same time. Charlie Pace, portrayed by Dominic Monaghan, was a pivotal character in ABC’s often-criticized but groundbreaking TV show Lost. Charlie was a rock star battling heroin addiction. As he transformed from an underconfident musician to a selfless hero, he became a fan-favorite character.

Charlie’s evolving bonds with Claire and Hurley, and his growth into someone willing to protect others, showed the depth of his character. His heartbreaking death in Season 3’s “Through the Looking Glass,” where he gave his life to warn the others by writing “Not Penny’s Boat” on his palm, felt like a loss that came too early.

His early exit from the show felt unfair, taking away a character who could have offered so much more. His kindness, charm, and occasional goofiness were genuinely missed throughout the rest of the show.