10 Heartbreaking Times Lead Characters Left TV Shows

10. Fox Mulder - The X-Files

The X-Files’ seventh season finale was originally intended to be the ultimate finale for the show, before it ended up being renewed for two more seasons. Due a contract dispute with David Duchovny though, his role was greatly reduced for the final two years.

Though he didn’t technically leave the show for good, dropping from being the central protagonist to a bit part was a major shakeup. Considering how the episode went down, it all ended in the perfect way for Mulder.

After spending seven years obsessed with aliens and the location of his abducted sister, Mulder finally finds categoric, undeniable proof of alien existence. After encountering a UFO, Mulder willingly steps into a beam of light and is abducted himself.

Alien abduction doesn’t sound like the happiest ending in the world, but Mulder is a bit of a unique character. Even without Seasons Eight and Nine expanding on and explaining Mulder’s fate, the episode left you feeling like somewhere out there, Mulder got his answers eventually.

Having built up a delightfully deadpan dynamic with Gillian Anderson’s Scully, watching one of the best sci fi partnerships split up was heartbreaking, even if it felt a little bittersweet.