Right here’s some easy TV math: the longer a collection airs, the much less probably its unique forged will stay intact, no matter how beloved the present or actor is. Nearly all of well-liked collection through the years have gone by way of at the least one main exit, and it’s unhealthy sufficient when modifications are revealed early, and characters’ final episodes are deliberate out and logical. It’s miles worse, nevertheless, when actors abruptly exit tasks with none on-screen closure.
Shock departures can curb audiences’ enjoyment of a present, whether or not from disrupted forged dynamics or shoddy storytelling. And relying on how controversial the exits are, a key departure can fully derail a present’s success. So let’s have a look again at among the most memorable cases when stars parted methods with tasks with out closing their characters’ tales.
(Picture credit score: Hulu)
Anna Faris (Mother)
Throughout Mother‘s hiatus following Season 7, co-star Anna Faris abruptly revealed she was leaving the present, which reportedly shocked the inventive group as a lot as followers. Allison Janney & Co. went ahead with the eighth season, often referencing Faris’ character Christy, nevertheless it was canceled with none sort of conclusion for the character, although the creators made it clear they didn’t need to kill her off.
(Picture credit score: NBC)
Neighborhood already suffered the exodus of creator Dan Harmon and extra creatives in Season 4, after which Chevy Chase allegedly used a racial slur on the set, main him to drop out of the NBC comedy by way of mutual settlement with community execs. His character Pierce appeared a number of instances after his official exit, resulting from episodes airing out of order, in addition to that hologram cameo within the Season 5 premiere, however the SNL vet by no means returned as a daily, and was unceremoniously killed off through dialogue two episodes after the cameo.
(Picture credit score: Netflix)
Danny Masterson (The Ranch)
That ‘70s Present vet Danny Masterson reteamed with Ashton Kutcher on Netflix’s sitcom The Ranch, however was fired in December 2017 after a number of assault allegations towards him have been publicized. Masterson later confronted trial, was convicted and sentenced to jail in September 2023, and didn’t return as Rooster Bennett, who was written as lacking and presumed useless through bike accident.
(Picture credit score: ABC)
Suzanne Somers (Three’s Firm)
Three’s Firm‘s early seasons have been bolstered by the recognition of Suzanne Somers’ Chrissy Snow, however community execs reportedly refused the actress’ wage enhance requests, resulting in a novel stalemate settlement. Somers made solely contractually obligated appearances in Season 4 episodes’ closing tag scenes, which she filmed individually from her co-stars. Somers was fired by the season’s finish, with Chrissy stated to be caring for her sick mother in Fresno.
(Picture credit score: AMC)
Corey Hawkins (The Strolling Lifeless)
Corey Hawkins joined The Strolling Lifeless Season 6 as comedian ebook fan-favorite Heath, however Straight Outta Compton‘s launch that very same yr shot him to Hollywood’s stratosphere. In one in all TWD’s most baffling moments, Heath disappeared in Season 7, and was by no means seen from once more. Reportedly, Heath would have returned for the films, however these plans have been shut down.
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(Picture credit score: Showtime)
Emmy Rossum (Shameless)
The ultimate two years of Shameless‘ 11-season run have been with out Emmy Rossum’s Fiona Gallagher. The actress introduced her surprising exit in 2018, and Fiona’s last look got here within the emotional Season 9 finale. Regardless of followers’ hopes, Rossum opted to not return for cameos within the remaining seasons, and the collection finale wrapped with none main Fiona updates.
(Picture credit score: Paramount+)
Mandy Patinkin (Felony Minds)
Felony Minds started its prolonged run with Mandy Patinkin’s Jason Gideon operating the BAU, however that modified forward of the third season when Patinkin left the present completely over his disgust with the violent storylines. (He known as becoming a member of the crime drama his “greatest public mistake” in 2012.) Gideon was changed and killed off-screen seven seasons later, with Ben Savage guest-starring as younger Gideon in flashbacks.
(Picture credit score: ABC)
Columbus Brief (Scandal)
Forward of Scandal‘s Season 3 finale, co-star Columbus Brief was arrested over a bodily altercation at an L.A. restaurant, and ultimately confessed he’d developed consuming and drug habits whereas coping with a divorce and custody disputes. Brief was fired from Scandal in April 2014, and his character Harrison Wright was revealed in Season 4 to have been killed off.
(Picture credit score: Disney+)
Gina Carano (The Mandalorian)
Former MMA badass Gina Carano landed the function of Star Wars merc Cara Dune in The Mandalorian, however misplaced the gig in February 2021. Following a collection of controversial social media strikes, Lucasfilm introduced she would now not be concerned within the present. Cara Dune was not recast, and has not returned to the franchise because the Season 2 finale.
(Picture credit score: Tubi)
Valerie Harper (Valerie)
The Hogan Household started its existence as Valerie, starring the Emmy-winning Valerie Harper as its lead matriarch for 2 seasons. She was later fired after wage disputes and sued NBC and manufacturing firm Lorimar. Whereas her preliminary claims have been dismissed, a choose dominated Harper was certainly wrongfully terminated, netting her a monetary win. Her character suffered an offscreen dying, resulting in the collection’ title modifications.
(Picture credit score: YouTube)
Robert Downey Jr. (Ally McBeal)
Following a string of Nineteen Nineties scandals, Robert Downey Jr. landed the function of affection curiosity Larry Paul in Season 4 of Fox’s hit dramedy Ally McBeal, which earned him a Golden Globe. However further arrests in late 2000 and 2001 led creator David E. Kelley to chop ties with RDJ fully. The fifth season, which might have chronicled Ally and Larry’s post-wedding bliss, needed to be fully rewritten.
(Picture credit score: The WB)
Shannen Doherty (Charmed)
Although Charmed’s eldest sister Prue Halliwell was the trio’s strongest, the third season finale left Shannen Doherty’s character going through potential dying. Although presumptions held that she’d return for Season 4, tensions and extra points surrounding Doherty and Alyssa Milano led to Doherty’s firing through cellphone name. As such, Prue’s wounds turned out to be deadly, however Doherty didn’t return for the funeral episode.
(Picture credit score: NBC)
Clayne Crawford (Deadly Weapon)
Fox’s iteration of Deadly Weapon paired Rectify vet Clayne Crawford with Damon Wayans. However as an alternative of buddy cop love, stories indicated strife and hostility constructing between the co-stars, together with complaints about Crawford’s directorial work. His exit was reported on the day of the Season 2 finale, which ended on a cliffhanger for his character Riggs, who was unsurprisingly revealed to have succumbed to his wounds. Seann William Scott joined Season 3 as a substitute.
(Picture credit score: CBS)
Grace Park (Hawaii 5-0)
After seven seasons portraying Kono Kalakaua for CBS’ Hawaii 5-0 reboot, Grace Park opted to vacate her function alongside Daniel Dae Kim after their makes an attempt to safe pay equality with co-stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan have been turned down by CBS Tv Studios. Kono was revealed to have relocated to Carson Metropolis, Nevada, as a part of a trafficking process power, with Danny sharing their break-up replace in Season 9.
(Picture credit score: CBS)
Thomas Gibson (Felony Minds)
Numerous Felony Minds stars exited the drama for various causes, however Thomas Gibson’s case. stands out. Regardless of the present nonetheless being early into filming Season 12, ABC Studios and CBS Studios revealed the actor’s termination through a joint assertion in August 2016, lower than per week after Gibson was suspended over an on-set altercation with a writer-producer. A later episode revealed his character Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner entered Witness Safety after discovering serial killer Peter Lewis stalking his son Jack.
(Picture credit score: ABC)
Roseanne Barr (Roseanne)
One of many ’90s’ greatest sitcoms returned to ABC in 2018, with Roseanne bringing comic Roseanne Barr again as its matriarch. However that return solely lasted for a single season, as Barr tweeted a message about former White Home Advisor Valerie Jarrett that was thought-about racist, and two months after its Season 11 renewal, Roseanne was successfully canceled. The community relaunched with out Barr as The Conners, which kicked off its run by killing off Roseanne Conner through drug overdose.
(Picture credit score: CBS)
Charlie Sheen (Two And A Half Males)
Two and a Half Males thrived on the chemistry between Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer, however the present went into hiatus in 2011 resulting from Sheen’s then-latest rehab stint, at which level the actor started slamming CBS and Chuck Lorre in a wide range of high-profile interviews. Season 8 was then shut down mid-production, with Sheen’s firing later capping issues off. His public meltdowns continued capturing headlines as Ashton Kutcher helped fill the Charlie void, and sadly did not make good on rumors of his collection finale return.
(Picture credit score: Hulu)
Lisa Edelstein (Home)
Throughout her years as Dr. Lisa Cuddy, Home star Lisa Edelstein went from taking part in contentious boss to adoring lover. Upon Season 7’s finish, she and two co-stars have been requested to take wage cuts throughout contract negotiations, with Edelstein being the lone holdout. She introduced her exit forward of Season 8, and Cuddy was later revealed to have give up as Dean of Drugs, with Omar Epps’ Eric Foreman taking up the duties for the ultimate season.
(Picture credit score: Warner Bros.)
James Garner (Maverick)
For 3 seasons, James Garner portrayed Maverick‘s title character Bret Maverick, however the 1960 writers’ strike helped deliver that run to a sudden shut. When Warner Bros. tried to put Garner off resulting from a scarcity of scripts, he fought again and efficiently sued the studio for breach of contract. In keeping with the actor, he personally turned down a suggestion to return with a increase, saying, “I need out,” and although Bret appeared in an airing-delayed Season 4 ep which was filmed far earlier, Garner didn’t return, with fill-in stars Roger Moore and Robert Colbert added later.
(Picture credit score: ABC)
Katherine Heigl (Gray’s Anatomy)
Katherine Heigl took a short lived go away from Gray’s Anatomy in Season 6 to shoot a film and spend time along with her adopted daughter, which sparked her to request to be launched from her contract 18 months early. Disputes have raged on over how her sudden exit was dealt with, contemplating Izzy by no means skilled an official “farewell” scene. Alex Karev’s last ep particularly famous that he and Izzy have been again collectively and elevating twins in Kansas. Whereas Heigl notably reunited with former co-stars on the Emmys, giving followers hope that Izzy might return, she has but to justify these hopes.
(Picture credit score: ABC)
Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs)
9 months after The Goldbergs co-star George Segal died at 87, lead actor Jeff Garlin vacated the present following a number of HR investigations into allegations of misconduct. The departure was stated to be a mutual settlement between the actor and the producers and community, and since it occurred in the midst of filming Season 9, the producers used CGI, bodily stand-ins, and archival audio to make it seem as if Murray was nonetheless round. The writers ditched that concept going into Season 10, although, and revealed Murray’s off-camera dying.
(Picture credit score: NBC)
Freema Agyeman (New Amsterdam)
Freema Agyeman portrayed New Amsterdam‘s oncology chief Dr. Helen Sharpe for 4 seasons, and whereas many anticipated her again for the fifth and last season, the actress shockingly introduced her exit amid the summer time hiatus, cheekily pleading for followers to proceed Sharpe’s story through fan-fiction. She went on to co-star within the collection Dreamland, cementing Sharpe and Dr. Goodwin’s break-up, and although the character did seem on TV in a later Season 5 episode, it was with none overarching updates.
(Picture credit score: Netflix)
Hartley Sawyer (The Flash)
In 2017, actor Hartley Sawyer landed his stretchiest function but as The Flash’s Ralph Dibny, a.ok.a. Elongated Man. Three years later, in response to his feedback about Black Lives Matter, social media customers pulled up a number of derogatory and offensive tweets the actor posted between the years of 2009-2014. He publicly apologized for the posts, however per week after waves have been made, Warner Bros. TV and The CW fired Sawyer from The Flash, which used an uncredited physique double for Season 7’s “Mom” to put in writing Ralph out alongside Sue Dearbon.
(Picture credit score: Netflix)
Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends)
Jill Marie Jones crushed it as Girlfriends’ ego-driven Toni Childs for six seasons however was the one principal forged holdout who exited the dramedy forward of Season 7 over her contract expiring. Jones’ exit was defined by way of Toni transferring to New York Metropolis on the finish of Season 6, however Jones spoke brazenly in 2007 about feeling that Toni’s story wasn’t over and that she’d be keen to return if the writers put one thing collectively. Alas, the present was canceled in 2008 earlier than that would occur.
(Picture credit score: Netflix)
Lori Loughlin (Fuller Home)
Lori Loughlin returned to her Full Home function of Rebecca for the Netflix continuation collection Fuller Home, however her appearances ceased in Season 4 after she was fired by Netflix over her and her husband Mossimo Giannulli’s actions relating to the 2019 school admissions bribery scandal. Although the actress was later capable of reprise her When Calls the Coronary heart character, Aunt Becky did not return in any respect for Season 5.
(Picture credit score: Netflix)
Kevin Spacey (Home Of Playing cards)
Alongside Robin Wright, Kevin Spacey made streaming TV regular with Netflix’s Home of Playing cards. Within the weeks forward of Season 6’s manufacturing, Spacey confronted extensively publicized accusations from actor Anthony Rapp, was subsequently fired by Netflix and was faraway from government producer duties. His character Frank Underwood was revealed to have been poisoned and died forward of the Season 6 premiere.
(Picture credit score: Saved by the Bell YouTube)
Leanna Creel (Saved By The Bell)
Leanna Creel’s Tori Scott stays one of popular culture’s greatest curiosities, having slid into NBC’s Saved by the Bell for its last season throughout a run of episodes missing Tiffani Thiessen’s Kelly and Elizabeth Berkley’s Jessie. The leather-clad character shook issues up for Zack & Co. for simply ten episodes, and was by no means heard from once more.
(Picture credit score: Hulu)
Wayne Rogers (MASH)
Three years after becoming a member of CBS’ MASH, actor Wayne Rogers grew discouraged by his character Trapper John not reaching his expectations, and unexpectedly opted to give up the hit collection forward of its fourth season. However whereas fellow exiting co-star McLean Stevenson was capable of be written out of the Season 3 finale, Trapper John’s absence needed to be defined away within the Season 4 premiere with out Rogers round.
(Picture credit score: Max)
Ruby Rose (Batwoman)
Batwoman’s first foray into live-action noticed Ruby Rose carrying Kate Kane’s cape and cowl, however she left the Arrowverse collection shortly after the primary season ended. Experiences famous she was fired over on-set conduct, with Rose claiming the present’s taxing nature led her to endure again surgical procedure following an alleged on-set accident. Changed as a lead by Javicia Leslie’s Ryan Wilder, Kate later returned in a special bodily kind with out Rose’s involvement.
(Picture credit score: YouTube)
Kate Jackson (Charlie’s Angels)
O.G. Charlie’s Angels star Kate Jackson received viewers’ hearts for 3 years as Sabrina Duncan, which is when she adopted former co-star Farrah Fawcett out the door. Jackson spoke warily of the writers’ scripts, and after being denied the chance to hitch Kramer vs. Kramer resulting from scheduling, she deliberately precipitated an on-set mess that led to her dismissal forward of Season 4. Changed by Shelley Hack’s Tiffany Wells, Sabrina was revealed to have left the company to turn into a mom.
(Picture credit score: Peacock)
Jon Seda (Chicago P.D.)
Jon Seda’s Antonio Dawson jumped from Chicago Hearth to P.D. to Justice and again once more for seven years. Surprisingly, NBC and Wolf Leisure selected to not renew Seda’s contract forward of Chicago P.D.‘s seventh season, and he was let go. Later episodes revealed the character fell again into tablet dependancy following the prior finale’s cliffhanger, and he was checked into rehab, ultimately transferring to Puerto Rico after resigning from the power.
(Picture credit score: Hulu)
Selma Blair (Anger Administration)
Charlie Sheen adopted Two and a Half Males with the comedy Anger Administration, co-starring Selma Blair for a part of its run as his colleague and fling curiosity Dr. Kate Wales. Battle between Blair and Sheen bled into the tabloids, and a reported ultimatum from Sheen led producers to fireside Blair, along with her character abruptly being defined away as having moved to India.
