10 Times Characters Were Killed Off in Season Premieres
10 Times Characters Were Killed Off in Season Premieres
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re examining the most shocking times in history when characters in TV shows were killed off during a season premiere. To make the list, the character can’t perish in the first ever episode. Instead, it has to take place after season one, but we’ll make an exception for spin-off shows and sequel series. Beware of potential spoilers!
Monica Beltran
“Grey's Anatomy” (2005-)
Following on from the Season 21 cliffhanger with an explosion being set off after a hostage situation at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, “Grey’s Anatomy” kicked off with the devastation across the operating room floors. While Atticus Lincoln was severely injured and seemed likely to pass away, Beltran looked okay, beyond the shattered pelvis she mentioned as she dictated the surgery to others. However, while Link recovered, the same couldn’t be said for Beltran, as she succumbed to her injuries. This isn’t the only time “Grey's Anatomy” has shocked fans with a death in the opening season episode. Back in Season Nine, following a plane crash in another season-ending cliff-hanger, Mark Sloan didn’t recover from his coma and passed away.
John Preston, AKA Mr. Big
“And Just Like That…” (2021-25)
Even from the days of Candace Bushnell's column in the New York Observer, Big was there. His will-they-won’t-they romance with Carrie Bradshaw kept fans hooked during the “Sex and the City” days. So, with the star-crossed duo married in the follow-up show. “And Just Like That…” all seemed good and secure. But then, while exercising on a Peloton bike, Big suffered a massive heart attack. Carrie just managed to return home to be there as he passed away. Fans were heartbroken. However, they were meant to see Big return, kinda, as a ghost for the season finale. However, due to actor Chris Noth being accused of misconduct, the scene was scrapped.
Mance Rayder
“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
By the end of Season Four of “Game of Thrones,” Mance was captured by Stannis Baratheon’s forces, with aid from Jon Snow. While Stannis tried to get him to kneel before him to possibly be allowed to live, Mance wouldn't do that. After all, he united the Free Folk tribes, a task that appeared to be impossible, and became known as the “King Beyond the Wall,” so kneeling wasn’t likely. By Season Five, with Mance refusing to grant Stannis’ demand, even with Jon trying to convince him to change his stance, the stoic leader is placed on a pyre, which is set ablaze. Struggling to watch the terrible execution, Jon gave Mance mercy by ending his life with an arrow.
Eugene Pontecorvo
“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)
After three seasons in the “The Sopranos” crime family and a dreadful personal life, things looked to finally be going upwards for Eugene. In Season Six’s opening episode, he inherited $2 million and desired to retire from crime. He’d move to Florida for sun, sea, and Disney World, we assumed. However, Tony isn’t receptive to the idea, instead pointing out how Eugene took an oath to the family. So, he had to go and kill Teddy for Christopher. With Tony refusing to let him go and the FBI not letting Eugene stop working as an informant, he saw few options. He, sadly, took his own life in a heart-wrenching scene and a bleak season opener.
David Palmer & Michelle Dessler
“24” (2001-10; 2014)
Beyond Jack Bauer, Palmer is perhaps the character who survived the most near-death incidents in “24.” Yet after rising from a Democrat candidate, to US President, to private citizen, time ran out for him in the first episode of Season Five. While discussing his memoir plans with his brother Wayne in a hotel, a sniper fatally shoots Palmer. The episode wasn’t done with breaking our hearts. Shortly after, with Michelle and her husband Tony Almeida enjoying life away from the CTU, she planned to go and help her former employer following Palmer’s assassination. However, as she got in her car, it exploded, taking her life, with a second explosive nearly taking Tony’s, too.
Luke Riordan
“Gen V” (2023-)
How do you grip the audience’s attention in the first episode of a spin-off show? Well, “The Boys” offshoot, “Gen V,” did that super successfully with Luke “Golden Boy” Riordan. While he was the top student at Godolkin University, something was amiss with Luke, as every so often, his behavior became questionable, such as what he did to his opponent in the arena. However, the biggest sign was when he fatally hugged Professor Brink, which Marie saw, causing Luke to go on a rampage. With all his friends trying to stop him, Luke ran out of options. After a non-fiery hug with Andre, he took to the sky and exploded, becoming a vital plot point in the process.
Zoe Barnes
“House of Cards” (2013-18)
It started with Zoe blackmailing Frank Underwood after he was photographed checking her out at the opera before she became suspicious of his hand in Peter Russo’s death in “House of Cards.” But before long, it would all come crashing down for her in a bleak fashion. In Season Two’s opening, Zoe, after doubting Frank’s involvement, agreed with him for a fresh start between the two rivals. However, she still wouldn’t let the Russo story go completely. With Frank looking to rise up the political ladder further, he got his hands dirty once again. While meeting at a train station, where she continued questioning him, he suddenly and brutally pushed Zoe in front of a moving locomotive, ending her life.
John Winchester
“Supernatural” (2005-20)
With John’s disappearance being the catalyst for Sam and Dean reuniting, we were all delighted when he popped up in “Supernatural.” However, disaster struck when the Winchester family’s beloved Impala was hit by a demon driving a truck in the cliffhanger ender for Season One. While Sam and John were okay, Dean was at death’s door in the season two opener as he was courted by Tessa the Reaper. So, John made a deal with Azazel, the yellow-eyed demon who killed his wife, Mary. In exchange for Dean’s life, Azazel wanted John’s life, soul, and the Colt, a firearm that can kill anything. With Dean’s miraculous recovery, John checked in on his sons one final time before quietly agreeing to the deal, ending his life.
Chrissy Cunningham
“Stranger Things” (2016-)
She may have only appeared in the same episode where she perishes, but Chrissy was a vital cog in the “Stranger Things” machine. Debuting in Season Four’s opening, Chrissy was the head cheerleader and was dating the captain of Hawkins High School’s basketball team, seemingly having it all together. However, due to abuse at home, she was struggling with her mental health. It got worse when Chrissy began having disturbing hallucinations. At the end, while under a trance, Eddie tried to shake her from it. But in her mind, a creature, which we’d later discover was Vecna’s debut, was tormenting her. For Eddie, the confusion and horror of Chrissy’s demise would stick with him and the audience for a long time.
Glenn Rhee & Abraham Ford
“The Walking Dead” (2010-22)
Soon after appearing on the screen, Abraham and Glenn, especially, became fan favorites in “The Walking Dead.” After all, the latter had been there since the beginning, and we’d seen him grow into one of the group’s most important characters in the survival against zombies and humans. As such, what happened to them in the season seven opener devastated the audience. After the previous cliffhanger hinted towards Negan taking a life brutally, it was haunting when he did just that to Glenn and Abraham with his baseball bat, Lucille, as loved ones watched on helplessly. While the episode was well-made, this double-death was a catalyst in causing many viewers to stop watching, with the next episode dropping viewership by nearly 3.6 million.
Which of the character deaths we covered left the biggest mark on you? Let us know today!