Top 50 Most Shocking TV Deaths Ever

#50: Lawrence “Larry” Zito

“Miami Vice” (1984-90)

In this 80s TV staple, the Metro-Dade detectives could seem invincible. A Season 3 two-parter would up the stakes with the death of Detective Larry Zito. Although he reportedly earned $200,000 the previous year, actor John Diehl felt the character had run his course. Wanting to pursue other opportunities on the New York theater scene, Diehl’s request to exit was fulfilled by having Zito die in an undercover operation gone wrong. Ironically, Diehl thought he had more to do in the episode where Zito died than in some of the ones leading up to it. While Diehl was ready to leave “Miami Vice,” Zito’s fellow detectives weren’t prepared to say goodbye, least of all his partner and best friend, Stan Switek.

#49: Teddy Uris, Phil Malkin, & Susie Malkin

“It – Welcome to Derry” (2025-)

The pilot of this prequel series introduces us to a new club of “losers,” who will seemingly be our main characters. Some are, although others don’t live to see the second episode. Catching “The Music Man” at the local movie theater, the gang finds themselves in trouble. The missing Matty appears on screen, unleashing a demented baby. So what? Is It just gonna scare them like in the movies? Nah, It isn’t playing around this time, disposing of Teddy and Phil. Even little Susie isn’t spared. Only Ronnie and Lilly manage to escape, along with a piece of one friend. The ending firmly establishes that nobody is safe in this story, making us fear for them with each passing episode.

#48: Sandy “Growing Pains” (1985-92)

Matthew Perry appeared in three episodes throughout the fourth season of this sitcom, playing Carol’s boyfriend, Sandy. It appeared Sandy might stick around until he became a casualty of a very special episode. Involved in a drunk driving accident, Sandy feels grateful that he survived and still has a future with Carol. Unfortunately, what seemed like a second chance was the end of the road for Sandy. Upon returning home, Carol receives the news that Sandy died in the hospital from internal bleeding. Although Sandy wasn’t a principal cast member, it was jarring to see him suddenly exit this family-friendly comedy on such a dire note. It’s even sadder knowing that Perry would unexpectedly die amid what looked like a second act years later.

#47: Billy Butcher“The Boys” (2019-26)

With Homelander defeated, Billy Butcher has finally achieved his revenge. At the same time, Butcher has little left to live for, especially with Ryan rejecting him and poor Terror passing away. Butcher decides that Homelander wasn’t enough. He’s going to eradicate the world of supes (and potential spinoffs) with the virus. Hughie tries to talk him off a ledge, but Butcher makes it clear that if he wants to stop him, only one is leaving the room alive. Butcher briefly hesitates, thinking about how Hughie reminds him of his late younger brother, Lenny. We’ll never know if Butcher would’ve gone through with it, as Hughie pulls the trigger. Perhaps this is what Butcher always wanted, knowing that Hughie wouldn’t let him release the virus.

#46: Lane Pryce“Mad Men” (2007-15)

Initially brought on to help with finances, Lane Pryce seals his fate through embezzlement. Once Don catches on, he orders Lane to resign. Just when it seems that his day can’t get any worse, the jobless Lane returns home to learn that his wife has purchased him a Jaguar. Feeling that he can’t start over, Lane attempts to use his Christmas present as a means of self-destruction. When the Jaguar doesn’t start up, Lane returns to the company he helped build. Leaving behind a letter of resignation, Lane meets his end in his office. Don tries to preserve his body before it’s taken away. Deep down, Don knows that maybe this could’ve been prevented had he recognized what Lane was going through.

#45: Haley Hotchner“Criminal Minds” (2005-20)

Aaron Hotchner’s wife had been a recurring character since this crime drama’s pilot episode. Following the couple’s divorce in Season 3, Haley returned during the fifth season, although the show’s landmark 100th episode culminated in a fatal encounter with the Reaper, aka George Foyet. Hotch finds himself on the phone with the serial killer, who has kidnapped his ex-wife and their child, Jack. Foyet punishes Hotch for his continued pursuit of him, seeking to take away the family that came second to his job. While Foyet allows Jack to leave the room, Hotch and Haley have accepted that this will be their final conversation. Despite their differences, Haley reflects on the love she shared with Hotch, insisting that he tell Jack about a happier time.

#44: Ben Sullivan

“Scrubs” (2001-10; 2026-)

After previously being diagnosed with leukemia, Ben Sullivan returns to Sacred Heart, now in remission and appearing livelier than ever. Not even Ben’s upbeat presence can get Dr. Cox’s mind off a patient’s death, for which he holds J.D. accountable. Cox is so distraught that he seemingly won’t even go to his own son’s birthday party. With Ben’s help, Cox decides to attend the big day and forgive J.D., accepting that there was nothing anyone could have done. For somebody who’s often surrounded by death, we’re not sure why Cox took this one so personally until we notice that Ben doesn’t have his camera, which he vowed to carry until the day he died. Cox isn’t at a party, but rather, Ben’s funeral.

#43: Nicholas Brody

“Homeland” (2011-20)

The “Homeland” team had been toying with killing off Brody since Season 1. With the chemistry between Brody and Carrie being what sucked many into this thrilling series, it was hard to imagine one without the other. By the third season’s conclusion, Brody’s luck officially ran out. Not long after Carrie tells him that she’s pregnant with their child, Brody is taken by Iranian forces. Brody swiftly goes from his trial to his execution. While Carrie is in the crowd, she isn’t there to rescue him. Like the viewer, Carrie is powerless to do anything. All she can do is watch as the noose around Brody’s neck tightens. Brody’s only comfort is that he hears Carrie call out his name before taking his last breath.

#42: Jimmy Darmody

“Boardwalk Empire” (2010-14)

Nucky’s mentee turned rival, Jimmy essentially served as this period drama’s deuteragonist for the first two seasons. “Boardwalk Empire” was never the same after Nucky decided that he’d had enough of Jimmy, who was already resigned to his fate. Attending a rain-soaked meeting without a weapon, Jimmy knows precisely what he’s doing there. As Jimmy sees it, he never came back from the war, and his journey is destined to end here. With Nucky and Jimmy’s dynamic being so integral up to this point, we genuinely thought there might be a scenario where this scene didn’t result in bloodshed. Alas, Jimmy was right. His death was inevitable, and Nucky’s unforgiving face is the last one he ever sees.

#41: Keith Scott

“One Tree Hill” (2003-12)

Keith will always be remembered as one of Tree Hill’s most beloved residents. The same can’t be said of his younger brother Dan, whose name alone garners such hate that we can’t believe they’re related. For all the terrible things that Dan did to Keith, nothing could prepare us for this Season 3 episode. Amid a school shooting, it appears the brothers may put their differences aside. Keith attempts to talk down the shooter Jimmy, who ultimately turns the gun on himself. The nightmare isn’t over, however. Wrongfully believing that Keith had tried to burn him alive, Dan seizes this opportunity to kill Keith, setting up Jimmy to take the blame. No matter what he did going forward, this act solidified Dan as the worst.

#40: Lance Sweets

“Bones” (2005-17)

Even before they officially got together, Bones and Booth were kind of like this show’s Mom and Dad. We guess that would make babyfaced psychologist Lance Sweets their surrogate son. Speaking of kids, we learn in the Season 10 premiere that Sweets and Daisy are expecting a Little Lance. Sadly, Sweets won’t be around for his son’s birth. Bones and Booth arrive at a parking garage, where Sweets is bleeding internally. Sensing that this is the end, Sweets attempts to leave his friends with some final words of optimism, although he can’t complete his sentence. The hard part is just beginning, as they still need to perform Sweet’s autopsy. While he tried to stay positive to the end, his exit felt more bitter than sweet.

#39: Prue Halliwell“Charmed” (1998-2006)

It’s no secret that there was tension on the set of “Charmed,” supposedly due to a feud between Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano. Even if you were aware of the alleged behind-the-scenes drama, it was difficult to picture the Halliwell sisters without Prue. As it became clear that Doherty wouldn’t be returning for a fourth season, there were discussions about recasting the eldest Halliwell. Season 3 thus ended on a cliffhanger, with it unclear if Prue survived her encounter with the demon Shax. The creative team made a definitive decision in the Season 4 premiere, which opens with the revelation that Prue didn’t survive, and not even magic can bring her back. Rose McGowan would fill the void as a long-lost fourth sister, Paige.

#38: Mr. Collins

“The Wonder Years” (1988-93)

As kids, we can struggle to see our teachers as human beings, especially if they push us to try harder. As math teacher Mr. Collins starts tutoring him, Kevin is surprised by how well they get along. Kevin is disappointed when Collins prematurely ends their sessions. After Collins says that he’s his “teacher” rather than a “friend,” Kevin takes it the wrong way, purposely flunking his midterm. Realizing he was wrong, Kevin attempts to reconcile with his teacher. Finding Mr. DiPerna instead, Kevin learns that Collins wasn’t merely blowing him off. He had a heart condition and died earlier that day. Even when Kevin gave up on himself, Collins still believed in him, throwing out his midterm so he could retake it.

#37: Mike Delfino“Desperate Housewives” (2004-12)

Throughout this episode, it’s teased that somebody on Wisteria Lane is going to die. After multiple fakeouts, the episode climaxes with Mike peacefully sitting on his front porch. As Susan joins her husband, reflecting on their life together and why she can’t stay mad at him, we suddenly become very concerned for Mike. Those fears are vindicated, as the loan shark Mike previously clashed with drives by and pulls a gun. Pushing his wife out of the way, Mike’s life with Susan flashes before his eyes. Time seemingly slows down, but the next thing Susan knows, she’s grasping onto Mike’s lifeless body. Even if the buildup wasn’t exactly subtle, that didn’t make losing Mike any easier.

#36: Ruth Langmore

“Ozark” (2017-22)

The Byrdes might’ve had their issues with Ruth, but by the final episode, she was practically family. “Practically” is the keyword, however. After Camila learns that Ruth was responsible for killing her son, Marty and Wendy see no other alternative. If they warn Ruth, Camila will come for them and their children. Getting out of her car, Ruth realizes that she’s been found out. Even when staring death in the face, Ruth is true to herself, telling off Camila and her late son. As Marty and Wendy address a crowd, Ruth bleeds out alone, unaware that the people she trusted most stood by as she drove to her final resting place. There goes any potential for an “Ozark” spinoff.

#35: Logan Echolls“Veronica Mars” (2004-07, 2019)

Although all of the deaths on this list are shocking, few ignited more rage than Logan Echolls’. Initially an entitled bad boy, Logan matures throughout this detective series, developing a sincere relationship with Veronica. It seemed Season 4 would allow Veronica and Logan to live happily ever after as they finally said, “I do.” The honeymoon ends before it even begins, however. The killer that Veronica just brought to justice left one more bomb behind in her car. As Veronica pieces this together, Logan is already in the vehicle, going up in smoke. It remains to be seen if there will ever be a fifth season of “Veronica Mars.” Unless they’re planning on retconning Logan’s death, though, most fans don’t seem interested.

#34: Gary Shepherd

“Thirtysomething” (1987-91)

From the beginning, the creators of “Thirtysomething” knew that a major character would die at some point. In a show that strived to deliver a realistic slice of life, confronting loss seemed unavoidable. By the final season, many suspected it would be Nancy, who had been dealing with ovarian cancer since the previous season. Just as Nancy is proclaimed cancer-free, the writers pulled a bait-and-switch. Driving to the hospital to visit Nancy, Gary dies in a car accident. Gary was planning on giving her a copy of “Through the Looking-Glass.” To a degree, audiences felt like they were in Wonderland, as nothing about Gary’s death made sense. Of course, the same can be said about any loved one who’s suddenly gone.

#33: Marissa Cooper

“The O.C.” (2003-07)

Just as it seems Marissa Cooper is about to begin a promising new chapter, an inebriated Kevin runs her and Ryan off the road. Although Ryan emerges from the wreckage alive, Marissa dies in his arms. Killing off Marissa at the end of this teen drama’s third season was a gamble. One that paid off? Well, it was certainly a talking point over the summer. Once “The O.C.” returned, though, some weren’t interested, knowing that Marissa would never have a happy ending with Ryan. While others argued that Season 4 was an improvement, it also marked the beginning of the end. Would that have been the case if Marissa had survived? Either way, her last scene with Ryan remains a pivotal mid-aughts moment.

#32: Nate Fisher

“Six Feet Under” (2001-05)

Between Bobby Nash on “9-1-1” and Nathaniel Fisher, we’ve learned the hard way that getting attached to Peter Krause’s characters is heartbreak waiting to happen. Of all the Fishers, eldest son Nate had the most close calls with death. After coming out of another surgery, it appears Nate will pull through once again. Where Brenda sees this as an opportunity for reconciliation, Nate decides he wants to break up for good. Maybe Nate would’ve reconsidered this conversation had he known it’d be his last with Brenda. With brother David by Nate’s bedside, both doze off. David awakens from their dream, but Nate doesn’t. Although this show repeatedly taught us that death is unpredictable, nobody was ready for Nate to leave.

#31: Nate Jacobs

“Euphoria” (2019-26)

Nate Jacobs goes through life feeling that he can control others. His life eventually spirals out of control, though, when Nate can’t pay off his debts to loan sharks. After several beatings and the loss of multiple body parts, Nate is buried alive until Cassie comes up with the money. Although she’s given 72 hours, it turns out that Nate has even less time. The loan sharks weren’t anticipating a rattlesnake crawling down his air tube. We wouldn’t say we feel sorry for Nate, given everything he’s put Cassie, Maddy, and others through. As the snake slithers toward his face, though, we can’t help but dread what’s coming. By the time Cassie gets to him, Nate has already met his toxic end.

#30: Mrs. Landingham

“The West Wing” (1999-2006)

You might think a show that took place in the White House would be knee-deep in heavy topics, but “The West Wing” often skewed toward the warm and fuzzy. So, when President Bartlet’s beloved secretary, Mrs. Landingham was abruptly written out after a deadly car crash, it was a notable departure in tone. Never afraid to speak her mind while still respecting the Oval Office, Mrs. Landingham was a breath of fresh air. Coming at a time when Bartlet faced mounting scandals and political opposition, her death marked a turning point for Bartlet’s presidency and his faith.

#29: Teri Bauer

“24” (2001-10; 2014)

The first season of this groundbreaking and controversial series features Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer attempting to rescue his kidnapped wife and daughter. Their captors are a group looking to frame Bauer for an upcoming political assassination. He stops them, of course. But his success is short-lived. The season finale ends with him finding his wife, Teri, shot to death. The image of him cradling her body as the clock strikes midnight is something first-time watchers will never forget. In the world of “24,” even when the protagonists win, it will always come at a cost.

#28: Villanelle

“Killing Eve” (2018-22)

She could speak several languages. She could vanish without a trace. She could kill with machine-like accuracy and efficiency. But even world-class assassins have to die sometimes. Still, Villanelle’s series-long obsessive-romantic relationship with Eve Polastri had enough viewers rooting for her to get away with her crimes and settle down with the MI5 agent. But all that came crashing down in the last minutes of the series finale when Villanelle was taken out by a sniper as she and Eve embraced. The last we see of her is her body sinking to the bottom of the Thames. Fans weren’t just shocked — many were outraged.

#27: Omar Little

“The Wire” (2002-08)

Taking place on the streets of Baltimore, HBO’s series about the drug trade, the institution of the police, and city life broke a lot of ground. Stick-up man Omar Little is a myth unto himself. He’s feared, but the show gives him a moral clarity, a complexity, and even a tenderness that made audiences love him. When his time finally came, it was at the hands of a very young, up-and-coming drug dealer looking to prove himself. After all the dangerous situations he’d been in, though, who knew he’d die just buying cigarettes at the local corner store?

#26: Rosalind Shays

“L.A. Law” (1986-94)

Every good drama needs a villain. For almost five seasons of “L.A. Law,” Rosalind Shays more than fit the bill. But all her conniving and manipulations finally caught up with her. Her totally bizarre, kinda funny, and altogether unexpected death may be one of the most talked-about TV moments of all time. Rosalind’s end seemingly came out of nowhere. One minute, she was having a conversation with Leland McKenzie, and the next she was tumbling down an open elevator shaft. Not only did it mark the end of a great character, but it made an entire generation of TV lovers extremely cautious every time they catch an elevator.

#25: James Evans

“Good Times” (1974-79)

Times definitely weren’t good behind the scenes of this Norman Lear sitcom. After the third season, lead actor John Amos was allegedly fired from the show. Rather than recast the role of James Evans, the producers decided to kill him off. At the start of season 4, James Evans was preparing to relocate the family from Chicago to Mississippi. But they wind up receiving news of his death in a car accident during their going-away party. The episode comes to a screeching halt. In one fell swoop, the Evanses lost their patriarch, and the cast lost a key member. It was an unceremonious exit for a beloved character.

#24: Tanya McQuoid

“The White Lotus” (2021-)

Jennifer Coolidge dazzled viewers with her performance as an endearingly strange, narcissistic heiress in the first two seasons of “The White Lotus.” Her death became a possibility as the second season chugged along, as she found herself the unwitting target of a group of hitmen implied to be hired by her new husband. The plot comes to a head on a yacht in the Mediterranean, where the generally helpless Tanya takes down her would-be murderers. Then, she falls and sustains a fatal head injury while climbing into a lifeboat. It’s a death that creator Mike White described fittingly as “derpy.”

#23: Marvin Eriksen Sr.

“How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)

Marshall Eriksen has been expecting to get bad news all throughout this devastating episode. As he and his wife Lily struggle with possible fertility issues, they await the results of testing. Things are looking up when he gets the results, and he’s just about to call his dad with the good news when Lily finds him. The audience learns with Marshall that his father has passed away from a sudden heart attack. Viewers had just seen Marvin Sr. earlier in the episode. Then, he was gone. Marshall’s emotional whiplash feels all too real.

#22: Dan Conner

“Roseanne” (1988-97; 2018)

There were few things that could have restored fans’ love for the once hilarious and relatable sitcom after its somewhat disastrous ninth season, which saw the working class family winning the lottery. Killing off the beloved dad was certainly not one of them. In the last few minutes of the finale, Roseanne revealed that several of the events of the series never took place, and that Dan had actually died from a heart attack. His suddenly empty chair at the table was a gut punch to viewers. It didn’t erase the weirdness of the season, but it did remind us of what the series could do at its best.

#21: Susan Ross

“Seinfeld” (1989-98)

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld’s sitcom took nothing too seriously, not even death. In an iconic episode from the show’s seventh season, George Costanza’s fiancée dies in the cheapest way possible. No, that’s literally what happened. George is too cheap to buy wedding invitations with good adhesive, leaving Susan to seal and mail them all by herself. She ends up getting poisoned from the toxic adhesive. “Seinfeld” wasn’t exactly the kind of show to throw a character death at you out of nowhere. But they dealt with it in the show’s characteristic manner. The core cast of four move right along to the acceptance stage of grief, and go out for coffee.

#20: Eddie Munson

“Stranger Things” (2016-25)

“Stranger Things” has had several surprise deaths during its run, and while Bob’s heartbreaking death also had many of us in shock, we’re going for a more recent one. Eddie Munson was a breakout character in the show’s fourth season, with his charisma and quest for justice endearing him to many. In the end, however, the Hawkins gang’s risky plan results in Eddie’s downfall. The Upside Down is not a place you want to spend a ton of time, unless you don’t mind getting into it with some bats. Eddie’s sacrifice to save Dustin and ensure the team’s success is probably the most metal thing he’s ever done. Rock on, Eddie, rock on.

#19: Derek Shepherd

“Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)

Yeah, they really killed McDreamy. Dr. Derek Shepherd is on his way to the airport when he witnesses a car crash. After saving multiple people, he gets back in his car and pulls out into the road when he’s distracted by his phone. Unfortunately, he’s struck by a truck soon after and taken to the hospital. Frustratingly, both he and Dr. Penny Blake know that he needs a C.T. scan, but he can’t speak and she’s ignored. By the time his doctors learn what he needs, Derek is braindead and he’s taken off life support. Meredith’s goodbye still breaks our hearts.

#18: Zoe Barnes

“House of Cards” (2013-18)

Zoe Barnes is an up-and-coming journalist, whose relationship with unscrupulous politician Frank Underwood helps advance her career. However, during a clandestine meeting with Underwood in a subway station, she seals her own doom. To clear the air between them, Zoe deletes all evidence on her phone of their connection. She also voices her suspicions about odd details in the death of Peter Russo, whom Frank murdered, unbeknown to her. Rather than subvert her investigation, Frank simply pushes her in front of an oncoming train! With hindsight, this one became obvious, but in the moment, we’re all nearly as shocked as everyone on that train platform!

#17: Logan Roy

“Succession” (2018-23)

As the patriarch of the wealthy Roy family, the prospect of Logan dying is in the back of the audience's minds from the beginning - it’s in the series’ title, after all. However, we still weren’t prepared for when it happened. The way this all unfolds, over a phone call from Tom is perhaps what makes it all so surprising. We find out in real time what happened to Logan, exactly the way Kendall and Roman find out. Their reactions are some of the most realistic we’ve ever seen on TV and it makes for a particularly harrowing experience for everyone, including the audience who feels like they're right there with the brothers.

#16: Howard Hamlin

“Better Call Saul” (2015-22)

The eponymous Saul Goodman (or Jimmy McGill) and Kim Wexler enjoy pulling schemes together, but their plan to humiliate Howard Hamlin’s reputation ends in unmitigated disaster. The duo make it seem as if their smarmy, yet well-meaning former boss is on drugs, ruining his reputation. Howard goes to confront them at their apartment. He delivers a speech, holding a mirror up to show how far they’ve gone, and claiming that while he’ll rebound, he’ll make it his mission to expose them. Tragically, he’s not their only visitor. Jimmy’s client, Lalo Salamanca, an unhinged cartel boss, arrives too. Howard doesn’t realize the danger he’s in until it’s too late. Lalo’s unceremonious execution of Howard leaves Jimmy, Kim, and all of us at home completely shook!

#15: Ana Lucia Cortez & Libby Smith

“Lost” (2004-10)

Ana Lucia is faced with a dilemma. Her group of plane crash survivors have a prisoner from one of the mysterious island inhabitants who have kidnapped and killed many of them. However, as she tells Michael Dawson, she couldn’t bring herself to kill the man. Michael has quite his own history with the Others, so he offers to do it instead. The utter shock that comes from watching Michael about-face in this scene is unmatched. As if Ana Lucia’s death wasn’t enough of a blow, even Michael looks taken aback by how instinctively he shoots Libby. Knowing that she was really just in the wrong place at the wrong time always makes us sad.

#14: Matthew Crawley

“Downton Abbey” (2010-15)

This period drama has a surprising number of unexpected deaths. While Lady Sybil’s death in childbirth is traumatic, it wasn’t quite the most startling of them. Matthew and Mary Crawley welcome their first child, a boy. It’s a joyous occasion for the happy couple, as well as the rest of the household. As Matthew drives back to Downton from the hospital, though, that happiness comes to an untimely end. A truck appears on the road coming the other way, Matthew swerves to avoid it and, in an insane twist, dies in the wreck. Vehicular accidents happen all the time in real life, but none of us were expecting to see Matthew meet his end behind the wheel.

#13: Poussey Washington

“Orange is the New Black” (2013-19)

During a peaceful protest in a prison cafeteria, Poussey Washington intervenes when things turn physical between her friend Suzanne and one of the guards, Bayley. Bayley subdues Poussey, but he does so by getting her on the ground and putting a knee on her back. Watching this scene after knowing about very real and horrific instances of police brutality ending in tragedy makes it even more unbearably disturbing than it already was. Poussey’s last words are all too familiar and, even at the time of this episode’s airing, viewers were up in arms and in tears over the character’s unjust death.

#12: Lawrence Kutner

“House” (2004-12)

A promising and entertaining part of Dr. Gregory House’s diagnostic medicine team, Lawrence Kutner is a fun guy and seems to enjoy his work. But when he doesn’t show up to work, House sends doctors Foreman and Thirteen to find out why. Upon their arrival, they find him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The team and House are devastated and confused by Kutner’s death, though they don’t all show it in the same way. They question why he did it, why he never reached out, and why they never noticed signs that anything was wrong. It’s so out of left field, yet it also feels true to life, since not everyone is an open book.

#11: Anatoly Ranskahov

“Daredevil” (2015-18)

In the titular Daredevil’s attempts to get to Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, he runs afoul of Anatoly and his brother Vladimir, leaders of the Russian Mafia in New York. While they’re initially too proud to ask for Fisk’s help, eventually Anatoly decides to accept Fisk’s offer. However, he does so by interrupting Fisk’s date. Anatoly discusses the incident with Fisk’s right-hand man, Wesley, but is dragged out of the car by Fisk, who angrily beats the gangster repeatedly, before smashing his head in with the car door! The suddenness of Fisk’s attack, as well as the brutality of Anatoly’s death, make this a murder that’s both surprising and hard to watch without losing our lunch!

#10: Mark Greene

“ER” (1994-2009)

Dr. Mark Greene is diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. So, while his death isn’t entirely unexpected, it’s still a gutpunch! Mark relocates to Hawaii and reconnects with his daughter Rachel. One night, he wakes up and speaks to her, encouraging her to be generous with her time, love, and life. Even though we don’t know it for sure, the conversation feels somewhat like goodbye. Rachel slips a pair of headphones on her dad, playing him Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's rendition of “Over the Rainbow” as he drifts back to sleep. Visions of himself in the empty hospital back in Chicago lull Mark into a quiet passing. It’s enough to make anyone bawl.

#9: Will Gardner

“The Good Wife” (2009-16)

The foreshadowing is there: we see Jeffrey Grant eyeing the guard’s gun, we see his interpretation of the situation, and the panic in his demeanor. It’s unsurprising then, when we cut to Diane’s courtroom and gunfire is heard. What is surprising, is who goes down. The moment happens offscreen, with the camera focusing on Diane and Kalinda’s reactions, and the slow discovery that Will’s been shot. His fate is left very much up in the air until Kalinda finds his body at the hospital. It’s a jaw-dropping loss, to say the least, and one that we continued to feel throughout the remainder of the show.

#8: Adriana La Cerva

“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)

Deaths are frequent on this mafia series, but they still manage to surprise us. Adriana La Cerva is the girlfriend of Christopher Multisanti, Tony Soprano’s heir apparent. However, she becomes an informant to the FBI against her will. Eventually, she confesses this to Chris, hoping they can run away together. The furthest thing from her hopes transpires. Distraught at the news, Christopher reacts violently but ultimately lets her off. She’s soon picked up by Silvio, however, and the pair go for a drive. It’s during this drive through remote woods that Adriana gradually realizes what’s in store for her. When they stop, she tries to flee but to no avail. There are a lot of mafia hits in TV shows, but this one still haunts us.

#7: Lt. Col. Henry Blake

“M*A*S*H” (1972-83)

Colonel Henry Blake is the first commanding officer of the M*A*S*H unit the series follows. After acquiring enough points to receive an honorable discharge, Blake prepares to leave for home. He says his goodbyes, which are both silly and emotional. And that’s it. Life appears to go on. However, during a routine operation, Radar comes in and makes an announcement - Blake’s plane was shot down on his way home. No survivors. The audience’s shock was mirrored on the faces of the actors, since most of them weren’t told until just before shooting. It’s an older series, but this staggering reveal still hits today.

#6: Rita Morgan

“Dexter” (2006-13)

Dexter Morgan may be a serial killer who kills serial killers, but he hopes to connect with his humanity, particularly through his bond with his wife, Rita. After planning a vacation with her, he just has one last thing to do - kill the Trinity Killer. But Arthur Mitchell is resigned when Dexter kills him. “It’s already over,” he says. When Dexter returns home, he gets a message from Rita saying she came back for her ID. Then Dexter hears his son crying. All at once, Arthur’s words make sense. It’s a brutal twist that no one saw coming, and it’s traumatic for both Dexter and the audience.

#5: Joyce Summers

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

A show like “Buffy” has plenty of shocking deaths. While Tara’s untimely demise is also surprising, even her death pales in comparison to how unexpected Joyce’s is. One day, Buffy comes home to find her mother dead. There’s no one to blame, no supernatural cause. She suffered an aneurysm and passed away – it’s straightforward and heartbreaking and manages to ground the show in a way it often isn’t. Buffy’s devastation, and the grief she and those around her experience feels unnervingly true to life. In fact, the whole scene, from Buffy convincing herself that she can give her mom CPR to throwing up in a corner is unnervingly true to life.

#4: Robb & Catelyn Stark

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

“Game of Thrones” has one shocking death after the other. We’ve done an entire list on the subject. And, although Oberyn Martell’s brutal death in his duel with the Mountain also turned our stomachs, there’s no beating this infamous moment. At the wedding of Robb Stark’s uncle Edmure, things start to feel…off. Clues start piling up, until everything explodes into chaos. Robb’s wife Talisa and their unborn child are killed. Robb is shot by crossbows and stabbed by one of his right-hand men, Roose Bolton. His men are slaughtered wholesale. Finally, his mother Catelyn is killed too. The Red Wedding is one of the most shocking and traumatic events in television history, and it’ll be a long time before we get over it.

#3: Gustavo Fring

“Breaking Bad” (2008-13)

“Breaking Bad” is a thrilling series with shocking developments around every corner. Although Gustavo Fring killing his henchman Victor also made us leap up out of our seats, the death of the man himself takes the cake. The calculating meth kingpin is locked in a battle of wills with protagonist Walter White. Walter goes to Gus’ old enemy, Hector Salamanca, for help. The elderly Hector appears helpless as Gus arrives to kill him in his nursing home. However, Hector repeatedly rings the bell on his wheelchair, revealing that Walt has strapped a bomb to it. Even the ensuing explosion doesn’t appear to work on Gus at first - then we see his face, or lack thereof! It’s an astonishing end to one of television’s best villains.

#2: Tara Knowles

“Sons of Anarchy” (2008-14)

This gang drama delivers some real shockers throughout. Despite how gruesome and unexpected Opie’s death is, we’re going with Tara’s. Tara wants to leave the life her husband, Jax, leads to protect their boys. Jax agrees to turn himself in, in exchange for her and the kids’ protection. Tragically, a series of misunderstandings and a lack of communication leads Jax’s mother, Gemma, into believing that Tara sold them all out. When Tara arrives home, Gemma is waiting and attacks. The utter brutality of the moment still gets to us, and it firmly turned nearly every viewer against Gemma for good.

#1: Glenn Rhee

“The Walking Dead” (2010-22)

Death is a constant in “The Walking Dead.” Even so, fans were still unprepared for when Negan made his debut. From the last episode’s cliffhanger, it seemed at least one death was inevitable here. The tension is truly unbearable, especially after we know someone’s been killed, we just don’t know who. Finally, it’s revealed that Abraham was beaten to death… and Glenn suffered a similar, horrific fate. The gratuitously graphic scene shocked not only Glenn’s loved ones, but TV viewers in general. Glenn’s death nearly broke the fanbase and marked a major turning point for the series.

Which TV death are you still not over? Let us know in the comments.