20 Most Shocking TV Character Deaths EVER

Before House of Cards became the overblown soap opera it was during the latter half of its run, it was a thrilling and well-paced political drama with a host of characters working against each other, often with compelling results.

In the first season, the most entertaining clash was fought between US Senator Frank Underwood and opportunistic journalist Zoe Barnes, a young up-and-comer who seizes the chance to engage in an affair with him to enliven her stunted career.

Though initially allies in their separate bids for credibility, Zoe eventually turns on Frank after the death of Peter Russo, a rival congressman killed by Frank but ruled a suicide. Smelling foul play, Zoe works with her colleagues to find the truth, an intrepid mission for retribution that leads Frank to throw her in front of an oncoming train.

Killed in the season two premiere, Zoe's horrible death came out of nowhere - especially for her - and helped usher in a new era of evil for Frank's political rise to power. House of Cards was rarely this bleak again.