10 Heartbreaking Times Lead Characters Left TV Shows

It’s always difficult when a beloved character leaves your favourite TV show, and even moreso when the character in question was the lead role.

With the possible exception of long running sagas like Star Wars or the MCU, TV series give you a lot more time to get to know a character, to see them grow and go on a journey with them. When that journey is cut short, it often tugs at your heartstrings that little bit harder.

All of the characters here left their shows when they were still very much the focus, forever changing whatever came after. Some returned for specials, finales or other bits and pieces, but for all intents and purposes, these were the big farewells.

On binge rewatches, these episodes can be especially heartbreaking, as they all mark turning points in their shows. Afterwards, there’s a sense of something missing, and that in turn feeds the heartbreak so much more on a rewatch.

Even the first time around though, these were major tearjerkers. Having connected with these leading characters for so long, it often feels like losing a friend.

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.