10 TV Shows That Killed Characters Unexpectedly Early
That's a nice beloved character you've got there. Be a shame if something happened to them.
There’s little better in entertainment than a gripping and well written character. When TV writers can create someone who keeps audiences attached to their series, either through undying love or bitter hatred, they can well and truly play with our emotions.
The deaths of these characters are always impactful, often being used to round off a season, or even the show as a whole. There’s build up, suspense and anticipation, and in a way the viewer can mentally prepare for the gut-punch that’s in store.
Sometimes, however, writers like to take a different approach. The entries on this list are characters who died completely unexpectedly and seemingly far earlier than they deserved. Most of these even died within the first season, or even the first episode that they were introduced.
Whether this was done for unceremonious realism, shock value, because of behind-the-scenes difficulties, or to warn of little to no plot armour, these deaths had viewer jaws dropping across the world. None of us were ready.
Reader Beware: Spoilers Ahead (obviously.)
10. Dino Ortolani - Oz
1997’s Oz was a cult-classic based around a unique unit within the fictional Oswald State Penitentiary. Known as Emerald City, this housing unit was home to murderers, gang bangers, mobsters, sex offenders and more. It’s your standard hive of scum and villainy.
The first episode introduced a number of characters; one of whom was Dino Ortolani - a young, mouthy thug with a dangerous connection to the Mafia. Throughout the pilot, Dino was seen to be a loud-mouthed bigot with a chip on his shoulder for non-white and gay inmates.
However, as the episode continued, Dino's views began to change. From showing admiration to a Muslim inmate to empathising with patients in the AIDS ward, he began to redeem himself. We learned he had a wife and children who he missed dearly and as an audience, believed this central character would continue to develop over the season.
This is why it was such a shock at the end the episode when two corrupt guards drugged Dino, set him on fire and watched him burn to death. This left-field attack on the character reminded audiences of one thing: this is prison and no one is safe.
Plot Armour won’t stop a shiv in your sleep, or indeed, a fire.