8 TV Shows That Killed The Main Character Early
Maybe don't get too attached...
Death is a common dramatic device in TV land, used to raise the stakes in a story or explore how that character’s demise impacts the people on the show. And while killing off the main character isn’t exactly unheard of, it’s still a rare beast.
It’s something that typically happens in later seasons when the actor is bored and wants to move on, or the writers want to reinvent the show. In some cases a show just outgrows the original idea, and the central character becomes surplus to requirements.
Some programmes take it a step further and kill off the lead within the first couple of years, or in the most extremes cases the first few episodes. This is always a bold move, as it risks alienating viewers who've grown attached to the character and might feel betrayed by their death. But it's always guaranteed to inspire a reaction.
When it's done correctly it adds a sense of weight and consequence, but when done badly it just comes off as cheap shock value. It's a tricky balance, but the best examples have been able to pull off the ultimate gamble and make the show stronger as a result.
Naturally, it should really go without saying that SPOILERS lie within.
8. Love/Hate - Darren (Lifespan: Three Seasons)
Controversial Irish drama Love/Hate takes a gritty look at Dublin’s criminal underworld, as seen through the eyes of naive gang member Darren. Or at least that’s how it began.
The first two seasons followed Darren through various betrayals and heartbreaks, including losing his girlfriend over his lifestyle and murdering his evil boss. It also explored his friendship with side character Nidge, who became so popular with viewers the show gradually shifted focus towards him instead.
As a result Darren became more of a side character in his own show, and after more heartache he ended season three with a bullet in the head after Nidge betrayed him to save his own skin.
Love/Hate is a prime example of a show starting out with one premise before evolving into something else. Darren's death underlined the cruelty of the crime underworld, and the following seasons followed Nidge’s rise to power as well as the impact of Darren's death on his conscience.