10 TV Characters NOBODY Expected To Die

10. David Palmer - 24

You won't find a more innately good character in 24 than David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) - the Democratic presidential candidate targeted for assassination in the show's first season, yet spared thanks to the efforts of CTU agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland).

Palmer went on to become President in the show's second season, which concluded with a cliffhanger ending where he was attacked with a biological nerve agent.

But Palmer survived again, and so by the time season three rolled around, he truly felt invincible. Palmer didn't seek re-election due to personal scandals, but nevertheless re-appeared for a few episodes throughout season four.

Beyond being the first Black President in the world of the show - and predating Barack Obama's election by more than five years - Palmer was 24's moral center, and by the time he'd survived two hit attempts and left office, it seemed apparent that he had some triple-reinforced plot armour.

But disaster struck mere minutes into season five, when while the opening credits were still rolling, Palmer was suddenly shot and killed by a sniper totally out of nowhere.

As gutting and truly unexpected as it was to see Palmer finally go down, it nevertheless served as an emotional catalyst for one of the show's strongest seasons.