While fans reeled under the sudden death of Tywin Lannister (played by Charles Dance) in the final episode of Season 4 on Game of Thrones, the producers had yet another unpleasant surprise lined up in Season 5. Meanwhile, Season 3 of The Newsroom knocked off Charlie Skinner (played by Sam Waterston), the veteran news director. Cause of death: heart attack. We bring you trending tele serials that have done a number on their fans this season by ousting a pivotal character.
Kit Harington in Game of Thrones
Role: Jon Snow is the illegitimate son of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell in the medieval fantasy epic.
Killed: Season 5, Episode 10. In a mutiny against Jon’s decision of bringing the wildlings to Castle Black, some brothers of the Night’s Watch, including Alliser Thorne and Olly, stab him to death.
Reason: The episode is based on George RR Martin’s last novel, A Dance with the Dragons, and the book ends with the killing of Snow.
Reaction: GoT fans were devastated at Snow’s death, while some hope that in a weird twist he will be brought back in the next novel.
Moving on: There are a couple of movies Harington is looking at. He may also try his hand at writing.
Next on the show: The next GoT book hasn’t been published yet. We will have to wait until next April to find out what happens now that the mystical Lady Melisandre (the Red Woman) has arrived at Castle Black.
Tom Cavanagh in The Flash
Role: Dr Harrison Wells a scientist, whose identity was stolen by Eobard Thawne aka Reverse-Flash, the antagonist.
Killed: Season 1, Episode 23. Eobard was about to kill Barry (Flash), when Eddie shot himself to end the Thawne lineage, which means Eobard can’t exist, thus saving his friend.
Reason: To keep up the pace of the show, Reverse-Flash had to die.
Reaction: The die-hard fans were thrilled when Wells was revealed as Eobard Thawne. But were disappointed when he was killed.
Moving on: Currently, he has no projects lined up.
Next on the show: In Season 2, executive producer Andrew Kreisberg suggests that Cavanagh will be part of the show; after all, the series relies heavily on time travel.
Jada Pinkett Smith in Gotham
Role: In the crime-drama series, Fish Mooney is a night club owner and a mob leader who works under crime boss Carmine Falcone.
Killed: Season 1, Episode 22. In a big showdown of villains - Butch shot both Fish and Penguin. But Penguin survived, pushing Fish off the building.
Reason: Smith’s one-year contract had ended.
Reaction: Gotham fans were disappointed as none of them thought the beautiful villain Fish Mooney would leave the show so early.
Moving on: Smith will be seen in a Magic Mike sequel The movie is set to release soon.
Next on the show: Executive producer Bruno Heller hints at a spectacular villain who wants to destroy Gotham, and Smith might be back at some point.
Patrick Dempsey in Grey’s Anatomy
Role: In the medical-drama series, Derek Shepherd, fondly known as McDreamy, is the attending neurosurgeon and board director of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Married to Meredith Grey, their relationship has been the crux of the series.
Killed: Season 11, Episode 21 and 22. He was in a devastating car crash and due to delayed treatment, ended up brain dead. Meredith had consented to pulling the plug.
Reason: In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dempsey, who finished second place in the Le Mans on June 14, said that he started to concentrate on racing and spend more time with his three children
Reaction: It was a heart-wrenching moment for fans to see the last of the dreamiest doctor of the series.
Moving on: Dempsey will be seen in two small-screen shows - a drama called The Limit and a travelogue spy thriller called Fodors.
Next on the show: The producers have announced that Season 12 will be on air from September 24.