Shocking TV Deaths
by littlemishaps | created - 30 Aug 2011 | updated - 30 Aug 2011 | PublicThe most shocking or unexpected character deaths on TV. Warning: spoilers!
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1. Torchwood (2006–2011)
TV-MA | 50 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
The members of the Torchwood Institute, a secret organization founded by the British Crown, fight to protect the Earth from extraterrestrial and supernatural threats.
Stars: John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Kai Owen, Gareth David-Lloyd
Votes: 43,462
Character Death: Ianto Jones
Why was it shocking? Ianto went for two series in the background, with very little in the way of character development. In series 3 CoE, his relationship with Jack started to develop and, in the absence of Tosh and Owen, he became one of the leading cast members. Whereas the deaths of Tosh and Owen underlined the tragic nature of their relationship and served a point to close the series, Ianto's death seemed pointless and as a device to merely strip away the last of Jack's humanity.
2. Skins (2007–2013)
TV-MA | 46 min | Drama
The story of a group of British teens who are trying to grow up and find love and happiness despite questionable parenting and teachers who would rather be friends (and lovers) than authority figures.
Stars: Kaya Scodelario, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Dempsie, Hannah Murray
Votes: 93,110
Character Death: Freddie McClair
Why was it shocking? Ok so Skins deaths are not new territory (Chris?), but Freddie's death was horrific. Beaten to death by Effie's shrink, his death was completely unexpected to the viewer which added to the terrifying nature of the event.
3. Spartacus (2010–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
The life of Spartacus, the gladiator who lead a rebellion against the Romans. From his time as an ally of the Romans, to his betrayal and becoming a gladiator, to the rebellion he leads and its ultimate outcome.
Stars: Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, Daniel Feuerriegel
Votes: 257,059
Character Death: Varro
Why was it shocking? Varro died at the hands of Spartacus on the whim of spoiled brat Numerious. Totally shocking as it ended the series' major bromance. However, it did make Numerious' death in the Season finale that much more satisfying when it came.
4. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey
Votes: 2,285,225
Character Death: Ned Stark
Why was it shocking? To be honest, any character played by Sean Bean is pretty much guaranteed to meet a premature (and grisly) end, so on paper this shouldn't have been shocking. However, the belief that Ned's life had been spared only to have his execution reinstated at the last moment by boy king Joffrey was a kick in the gut to the viewer. The fact that Ned Stark had been a main character and one of the 'good' guys right from the first episode only increased the 'Oh No They Didn't?!' factor.
5. Dexter (2006–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
He's smart. He's lovable. He's Dexter Morgan, America's favorite serial killer, who spends his days solving crimes and nights committing them.
Stars: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, James Remar
Votes: 766,636
Character Death: Rita
Why was it shocking? The Trinity killer's parting gift to Dexter, even those indifferent to Rita's character would have been hard pressed not to feel emotional at Dexter's grisly discovery in the bathroom, compounded by finding their crying son sitting in a pool of Rita's blood. Seemed a pretty unnecessary way to end the season, although perhaps a good way to demonstrate how Dexter was getting too comfortable playing the role of family man.
6. MI-5 (2002–2011)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The missions of MI-5, the UK's domestic intelligence organization.
Stars: Peter Firth, Hugh Simon, Nicola Walker, Rupert Penry-Jones
Votes: 18,392
Character Death: Helen Faulkner
Why was it shocking? Although not involving a major character and early in Season 1, this is one of the few TV deaths that has really stuck in my mind since its broadcast in 2002. It was the nature of the death, rather than the death itself, which has landed it a place in this list. Tortured by having her hand, then head, forced into hot oil and then shot, this was one of the first hugely violent moments on Spooks and certainly memorable.
7. Prison Break (2005–2017)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A structural engineer installs himself in a prison he helped design, in order to save his falsely accused brother from a death sentence by breaking themselves out from the inside.
Stars: Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller, Amaury Nolasco, Robert Knepper
Votes: 579,537
Character Death: Sara Tancredi
Why was it so shocking? Ok, so this is a bit of a cheat because, as it later turns out, she's not actually dead. But at the time of writing she was not supposed to return so when broadcast she was actually dead (if that makes sense?). Prison Break was the show of the close call; no matter how hopeless the situation, the main cast members always managed to escape. Until Sarah's head turned up in a box...
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