A handful of elements need to come together to make a good television show. Settings, themes, plots, pacing, and other key aspects can make or break any project. But at the heart of every good story are its characters. Characters drive the narrative of a story, helping to move things forward while keeping the audience engaged.

A character is a fairly flexible concept with different types impacting the story in one way or another. There are protagonists who lead the story, antagonists who create conflict for the protagonist, and many more to provide variety that the audience can relate to. They’re some of the most important parts of a book, movie, or show, but don’t always last forever. And when a character inevitably leaves the story, it can have cataclysmic consequences, especially in a television series.

Elena Gilbert went into a magical coma

The Vampire Diaries

Elena Gilbert is the main character of the supernatural drama series, The Vampire Diaries. She is the main narrator and the series revolves around her life shortly after the death of her parents and the arrival of the Salvatore brothers into her world. Throughout the series, she goes from an ordinary, naive high school student to a teenage vampire entangled in Mystic Falls, Virginia’s deep-rooted connection to supernatural creatures.

Related

10 Deaths in The Vampire Diaries That Make No Sense

Deaths are hardly permanent in The Vampire Diaries, where many beloved characters return later. But not all of them are necessary.

Nina Dobrev was in the spotlight in The Vampire Diariesplaying Elena in every episode and often doubling as Katherine or Petrova’s other Doppelgängers. However, that changed shortly before the season 6 finale when Dobrev announced his departure. She wanted to explore new, more mature opportunities and suggested that she never intended to continue the series beyond season 6. In support of the loss of their star, RST the writers created a storyline in which villain Kai Parker places Elena in a comatose state, binding her to Bonnie Bennett and keeping the immortal asleep until the witch dies. The series continues without her, arguably losing quality until the series finale, where she finally wakes up and the characters exist happily ever after.

Your changes have been saved

The Vampire Diaries follows the lives, loves, dangers and disasters of the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Creatures of indescribable horror lurk beneath this city as a teenage girl is suddenly torn between two vampire brothers.

Release date

September 10, 2009

Cast

Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen, Paul Wesley, Kat Graham, Michael Trevino, Michael Malarkey, Zach Roerig, Candice King, Matthew Davis

Rating

Seasons

8

Develop

Charlie may or may not be dead

Two and a half men

Charlie Harper is one of the main characters of the sitcom Two and a half men. He’s a classic single guy with a sybaritic lifestyle. He is truly caring, with a big heart and the gift of caring for his nephew, Jake. But he fills his life with alcohol, parties and various ladies, which gives him a sense of irresponsibility to thwart his very nervous brother, gives the series a comedic edge and creates a fan-favorite sitcom character.

Charlie was one of the starting men at center Two and a half men for most of the series, but it did not last beyond season 8. Charlie Sheen, who played Charlie, had some highly publicized problems, including a feud with series co-creator Chuck Lorre, and a reputation tainted by drug addiction. anger issues and his unprofessional conduct on set. The show went on hiatus in early 2011 while Sheen entered rehab. But he was fired shortly after for his self-destructive behavior and even won a $25 million settlement in a lawsuit against Lorre and the network. Unsurprisingly, the tension left Charlie Harper hanging in the balance, and season 9 opened with his supposed death, leaving Ashton Kutcher to replace him in the spotlight. It is revealed that Charlie is not dead, and he returns in the series finale only to have a piano dropped on his head, although fans are still debating whether or not the character is actually dead.

Your changes have been saved

Two and a half men

Release date

September 22, 2003

Cast

Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Melanie Lynskey, Holland Taylor, Conchata Ferrell, Ashton Kutcher, Amber Tamblyn

Seasons

12

Roseanne was kicked out of the spotlight

Roseanne

The sitcom Roseanne revolves around the lives of the Conners, a working-class family in the American Midwest. Roseanne Connor is the head of the family and has quickly become a beloved character due to her quick wit, no-nonsense attitude, and sarcastic prose. She and the rest of the Conner family stood out for their ordinariness. They were working class and lived in a poor house where Roseanne had to work several jobs to support her family. The show, like most sitcoms, dealt with serious topics. But it was a relatively unique take on the family comedy by breaking out of the middle-class, suburban, cookie-cutter family mold, with Roseanne often showing parenting difficulties resulting from his childhood trauma.

Like Charlie Harper and Two and a half menTHE Roseanne The sitcom was created to give the main character a stage. Both characters were also created by the actors who played them on the show, with actress Roseanne Barr responsible for bringing Roseanne Connor to life. As such, she starred in the sitcom, which ran throughout the 1990s and was canceled after simply losing the ratings during the final season. But, in 2018, the series was revived for a tenth season. The problem with Roseanne came after the season finale when Roseanne Barr went on a racist tirade on her social media. Naturally, she was fired and Roseanne simply ceased to exist as it was. However, because the reboot season was so successful, the series was not canceled entirely, as the following season was renamed. The Conners. The spinoff’s premiere explained Barr’s exit with an off-screen death as Roseanne suffered a fatal opioid overdose. It turns out that the series was stronger than its main character since, despite the absence of Roseanne, The Conners ran successfully for six seasons.

Your changes have been saved

Roseanne

The popular 1990s sitcom “Roseanne” centered on the daily life of a working-class American family.

Release date

October 18, 1988

Cast

Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, Michael Fishman

Seasons

10

Frank gets a taste of his own medicine

House of Cards

Frank Underwood is the central character of the Netflix original series House of Cards. The show highlights his role in the United States government, starting as House Majority Whip and working his way up. His character is best described as Machiavellian, as he constantly plots against others and manipulates his way to power instead of gaining anything. Perhaps the most memorable thing about Frank is his habit of breaking the fourth wall in every episode, addressing the audience as his only trustworthy companion.

Related

The 10 Most Watched Netflix Original TV Shows in 2024, Ranked

From romantic series like Bridgerton & Nobody Wants This to political thrillers like The Diplomat, Netflix has made unmissable originals in 2024.

In the end, Frank entered the Oval Office, but the power was not enough and the universe caught up with him. Season 5 took place during the #MeToo era and marked the end of Frank’s career as actor Kevin Spacey faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and Netflix decided to cut ties with Spacey. The series continued with a final season after he was fired, writing Frank out of the narrative by revealing that he died in his sleep after his trusty sidekick tampered with his liver medication.

Your changes have been saved

A congressman works with his equally complicit wife to get revenge on the people who betrayed him.

Release date

February 1, 2013

Cast

Kevin Spacey, Michel Gill, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Michael Kelly, Justin Doescher, Derek Cecil, Jayne Atkinson

Seasons

6

Network

Netflix

Abby had a hopeful exit

NCIS

Crime-centric shows like police procedurals are mostly heavy-handed, with little to no relief from distressing topics. But, in several series, at least one character stands out like a bright light, and in NCISthis character is Abby Sciuto. She’s the team’s eccentric forensic scientist, memorable for her bubbly personality and contrasting fashion aesthetic. She’s arguably the most crucial part of the team, with expertise in ballistics, DNA analysis, and digital forensics, leaving much of the crime-solving work to her.

Actor Pauley Perrette kept Abby Sciuto alive NCIS for approximately 15 years and 15 seasons. But she left the show in 2018 after a reported fallout with co-star Mark Harmon, who played record-setter Leroy Gibbs. She has made several public statements about the on-set feud, with reports suggesting things became tense after a dangerous incident with Harmon’s dog, and Perrette has since admitted she was terrified of her former colleague. This sent Abby into her final storyline, where she survives a murder attempt and leaves to start fresh. The situation was complicated enough that Perrette refused any scenes with Harmon, leaving Abby to say goodbye to her boss via letter. Even though Harmon left the show, Perrette will likely never return.

Your changes have been saved

NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always fun dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, an eccentric former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team, which includes NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate with a talent for computers and now graduating to senior level. field agent; the charismatic, unpredictable and resilient NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, who spent most of his career on solo undercover missions; and sharp, athletic and tough NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, a formidable REACT agent specializing in hostage negotiations and high-risk operations. Assisting the team is naive Jimmy Palmer, who has gone from assistant to fully licensed medical examiner and now runs the morgue; and forensic pathologist Kasie Hines, Ducky’s former graduate assistant. Operations are overseen by NCIS Director Leon Vance, an intelligent and highly trained agent who can always be counted on to shake up the status quo. From murder and espionage to terrorism and submarine theft, these special agents investigate all crimes related to the Navy or Marine Corps.

Release date

September 23, 2003

Cast

Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Rocky Carroll, Gary Cole, Joe Spano

Seasons

22

Streaming service(s)

Paramount Plus

Quarterback Finn Hudson met a tragic end

Joy

Joy stands out in television history as a once beloved show that is now viewed with mild discomfort and mild nostalgia. It was simply the story of a high school glee club where a diverse group of kids and their Spanish teacher work through their angst with music. Unlike ordinary musical productions, Joy didn’t just cast established musical theater stars, but instead focused on charisma. A good example is Finn Hudson, the high school quarterback who knew how to play the drums and was blackmailed into joining the Glee Club. He fronted the club alongside future Broadway star Rachel Berry, with their classic, everyday voices creating valuable duets in almost every episode.

Joy should have ended when the kids graduated from high school, but in Season 4, Finn stepped in to help lead the Glee Club. He was on track to fully take over until the final episodes of season 4, when actor Cory Monteith had a relapse. Like Charlie Sheen, Monteith’s longtime relationship with alcohol and opioids led to problems on set, such as arriving late and forgetting his lines, leading series creator Ryan Murphy to fire him and to push him to seek treatment. Monteith entered treatment programs and regained his job, but relapsed once again shortly after the Season 5 promotional photo shoot, with some reports pointing to Monteith’s extensive dental work and subsequent prescription of opioids as a trigger. He died of an accidental overdose in his Vancouver hotel room on July 13, 2013, and his girlfriend, Rachel Berry actress Lea Michele, helped the series continue. The third episode of season 5, “The Quarterback”, serves as a tribute episode to Monteith, bidding a heartbreaking farewell to fan favorite Finn Hudson, who received several other tributes throughout the series’ sixth and final season .

Your changes have been saved

A group of ambitious misfits attempt to escape the harsh realities of high school by joining a Glee Club led by a passionate Spanish teacher.

Release date

May 19, 2009

Cast

Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley

Seasons

6

Network

FOX

Streaming service(s)

Hulu

Prue Halliwell broke the power of three

Charm

The 90s were full of series and films about witchcraft. Some of them are right about paganism and other similar elements of witchcraft, others are wrong, but most are truly enchanting, including Charm. The show centers on three sisters who reunite after the death of their grandmother and quickly realize that they possess magical powers. The trio – Prue, Piper and Pheobe Halliwell – call themselves the Charmed Ones and embody the power of the triquetra. Even though the series takes creative liberties in its depiction of witchcraft, the idea that the triquetra could be broken without the three sisters working together is on the right track. Each of the sisters has a specific role, with the eldest sister, Prue, possessing powers of telekinesis and astral projection and taking the lead.

Related

15 Most Rewatchable Charmed Episodes

The best episodes of Charmed have incredible staying power, with fans wanting to watch them again and again.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that the show is built on a holy trinity of unity and balance, things weren’t quite as harmonious behind the scenes. Actor Shannen Doherty brought Prue to life in Charmbut she was also at the center of off-screen drama alongside her on-screen younger sister, Alyssa Milano. The situation escalated to the point where Milano reportedly went to the show’s producers, giving them an ultimatum: either fire Doherty or face legal action. Of course, they chose to appease Milano and Prue Halliwell was written off the show, with the season 3 finale featuring a storyline in which Prue is killed by the demonic assassin, Shax, and the sisters go back in time to prevent it. Her fate creates a cliffhanger, but the start of season 4 reveals that she has died, leaving the Power of Three temporarily broken and bringing a new sister in her place.

Your changes have been saved

Release date

October 7, 1998

Cast

Darcas Macopson, Holly Marie Combs, James Black, Lee Spencer, Marianna Elliott, Shannen Doherty, Shannon Sturges, Sybil Azur, Dennis Flanagan, Rene Heger, Tyler Christopher, Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, Brian Krause, Ted King, Drew Fuller, Julian McMahon, Kaley Cuoco, Dorian Gregory, Greg Vaughan, Karis Paige Bryant, Stoney Jackson, Christina Milian, Kimberley Kates, Bradford Tatum

Seasons

8

Network

The WB

Where to watch

Main video

Develop

Aaron Hotchner suddenly disappeared

Criminal minds

Criminal minds is a sophisticated take on a police procedural focusing on an FBI team called the Behavioral Analysis Unit. The BAU uses criminal profiling to arrest violent offenders under the direction of unit chief, Aaron Hotchner. He is stoic, his experience as a prosecutor helping to shape his understanding of criminology and ensuring they put their unknown subjects behind bars.

Hotch doesn’t show much emotion throughout the series, but it’s clear that his family is everything to him. After the murder of his wife by serial killer George Foyet, based on a real-life case, Hotch becomes a single father, with difficulties balancing fatherhood with his career becoming a common theme throughout the seasons. It makes sense that most of the BAU would leave to focus on their families, but Hotch’s departure was clearly a last-minute way to clear the character. The brief storyline only appears a few episodes after he ceased appearing on the show, taking place as Hotch and his son Jack enter witness protection and as Hotch decides to remain a full-time father for a year. once the threat is neutralized. The sudden exit came after actor Thomas Gibson had an altercation with a producer and was fired, but a semi-absurd exit plot is nothing new for sudden character exits.

Your changes have been saved

A group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) using behavioral analysis and profiling to help investigate crimes and find the suspect known as Suspect .

Release date

September 22, 2005

Cast

Shemar Moore, Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster, Thomas Gibson, Matthew Gray Gubler, AJ Cook, Mandy Patinkin, Lola Glaudini, Rachel Nichols, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Aisha Tyler

Seasons

17

Streaming service(s)

Paramount Plus

George O’Malley Started a Grey’s Anatomy Exit Tradition

Grey’s Anatomy

George O’Malley entered Grey’s Anatomy in the first episode as one of the five original trainees. He was a crucial member of the beloved MAGIC era, known for his compassion. He was kind but also socially awkward. George proved his underdog status in the pilot when he botched his first solo surgery, immediately earning nicknames like Bambi due to his gentle nature and 007 due to his “licensed to kill” performance in surgery.

Until season 5, George remained the underdog. He lost his father, had a failed marriage and failed his intern exam. He had to repeat his internship year but obtained a place to move on to a residency position with the rest of the MAGIC group. Shortly after his promotion, George finds his calling as a trauma surgeon and even signs up to become a combat medic, but doesn’t get the chance to break the news to his mother. Actor TR Knight, unfortunately, has had a few years of intense on-set drama, starting in 2007 when fellow actor Isaiah Washington used a homophobic slur on set. Although Washington was fired for it, Knight and other stars said showrunner Shonda Rhimes retaliated against Knight for the incident, giving George less screen time, unfavorable storylines and discouraging him from acting. publicly come out as gay. So, at the end of season 5, George O’Malley is hit by a bus. This was the first time a main character died Grey’s Anatomy universe, but not the last time. Shonda Rhimes now has a reputation for randomly killing off her characters and has confirmed that she often cancels characters due to issues with the cast.

Your changes have been saved

Release date

March 27, 2005

Cast

Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Justin Chambers, Kevin McKidd, Jesse Williams, Bokhee An, Camilla Luddington, Patrick Dempsey, Sara Ramirez, Jessica Capshaw, Sandra Oh, Caterina Scorsone, Sarah Drew, Kelly McCreary, Kim Raver, Jason George, Eric Dane, Giacomo Gianniotti, Jake Borelli, Katherine Heigl, Jerrika Hinton , Chyler Leigh, Chris Carmack, TR Knight, Debbie Allen, Jaicy Elliot, Anthony Hill, Kate Walsh, Greg Germann, Isaiah Washington, Aniela Gumbs, Martin Henderson, Payton Silver, Gaius Charles, Tessa Ferrer, Stefania Spampinato, Alex Landi, Scott Speedman, Mark Saul, Nicole Rubio, Richard Flood, Ryder Goodstadt, Steven W. Bailey, Adelaide Kane, Alexis Floyd, Harry Shum Jr., Midori Francis, Niko Terho

Seasons

21

Develop

Regeneration created a perfect solution for actor exits

Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a long-running science fiction series focused on the main character and various companions on different adventures. The Doctor is a Time Lord from a planet called Gallifrey who travels through the fabric of space and time in a magical police box called the TARDIS. The Doctor is an enigmatic being and one of the most coveted television roles in history, with various actors entering the time machine every few years since the original series premiered in 1963.

Not only is the Doctor highly coveted, but the character is also one of the most unique in media, letting the series grow in popularity for around six decades. The character was not originally as complex, with actor Willian Hartnell playing the Gallifreyan for three years. Tragically, Hartnell suffered health issues that forced him to step away from the show, leaving producers scrambling to keep the show going. The regeneration process was created as a simple way to recast the role and explain change, allowing the Doctor to transform into a new person upon dying. Thanks to the narrative addition, this allowed more actors to step in and give the audience something new, including a modern version of the series, which made history by presenting the first interpretations openly gay, black and female from the beloved Doctor, with hopefully many more to come.

Your changes have been saved

Doctor Who

The further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.

Created by

Sydney Newman

Latest TV Show

Doctor Who: The Complete by David Tennant

First episode broadcast date

November 23, 1963

Last episode

Wild Blue Yonder (2023)

TV shows

Doctor Who, Doctor Who: Pond Life, Doctor Who: The Scream of the Shalka, Doctor Who: The Matt Smith Collection, Doctor Who: The Complete David Tennant Collection, Doctor Who: The Peter Capaldi Collection, Doctor Who: The Jodie Whitaker Collection , Doctor Who: The Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant Collection

Summary

Doctor Who, the world’s longest-running science fiction series, takes viewers on a whirlwind journey through time and space with the enigmatic Doctor, a centuries-old Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. In their iconic blue box, the TARDIS, which can disguise itself as an ordinary police box, the Doctor travels with ever-changing companions confronting alien threats, revealing cosmic mysteries and rewriting the laws of physics across the universe .

Develop