Top 10 Most Disturbing Deaths in TV History

#10: Nicholas BrodyHomeland (2011-20)

A complex and conflicted former soldier and prisoner of war, Nicholas Brody was originally intended to die early on in the show. However, it wasnt until season 3 that he met his end. After assassinating the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Brody is sentenced to execution. Most of the crowd cheers as hes slowly hung. However, his handler Carrie calls out to him, letting him know shes there. Her distress is contagious, and our hearts go out to her having to watch the father of her unborn child die like that. For many viewers, Homeland died along with Brody.

#9: Rita MorganDexter (2006-13)

Grisly deaths are the order of the day in a show where the protagonist is a serial killer. But this one left Dexter and the audience shell shocked. Dexters latest, and arguably greatest victim, the Trinity Killer, has some parting words for him before he dies - Its already over. Dexter doesnt discover what he means until he gets home, ready to go on a trip with his wife, Rita. Tragically, he discovers that Trinity had murdered Rita before Dexter got to him. Their young son Harrison being left amid the carnage only adds an extra layer of heartbreak. Rita always helped Dexter find the best parts of himself, and losing her was like the heart of the show and the character being cut out.

#8: Warren MearsBuffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

When teenagers fight vampires and other supernatural foes, things get bloody frequently. However, one of the most disturbing deaths in Buffy comes at the hands of one of the heroes. After wannabe Big Bad Warren Mears accidentally kills Willows girlfriend Tara, the young witch embraces dark magic to unleash a rampage in pursuit of revenge. Catching up with Warren, Willow proceeds to force a bullet through Warrens body, torturing him, and sewing his mouth shut. And just when the rest of the Scoobies arrive to convince her to stop, she removes Warrens skin in an instant! Its one of the shows most graphic deaths, and the usually sweet Willow being the one to do it is especially unnerving.

#7: Opie WinstonSons of Anarchy (2008-14)

Even going out like a hero can be traumatic. When a kingpin demands that SAMCROs young head Jax Teller sacrifice one of his members while in prison, hes torn on who to choose. Rather than see his friend forced to make that terrible choice, Opie Winston makes it for him. Forced to fight for his life, Opie doesnt go down easily. However, he cant win against the numbers the opposing gang has and is eventually beaten to death, while his friends watch. Its a brutal, powerful death that looms large over both the show and the fandom.

#6: Poussey WashingtonOrange is the New Black (2013-19)

Prison in general can be rough, and dying while inside is more common than it should be. Still, this one caught everyone off guard. During a protest in the cafeteria, Poussey tries to calm things down when guards try to take the unstable Suzanne to the psych ward. Poussey is then restrained improperly, with Bayley putting his weight on her lungs. Unable to breathe or get their attention in the chaos of the moment, Poussey suffocates. Its a tragic, preventable death that leaves her friends, especially Taystee, distraught. And given that it calls to mind real world examples of police brutality, this death feels especially visceral.

#5: Gustavo FringBreaking Bad (2008-13)

Even villains can meet upsetting ends. Gus Fring is locked in a battle of wills with protagonist Walter White. However, Walt hatches a plan with Gus old enemy, Hector Salamanca. The aging Cartel gangster pretends to cooperate with the DEA to lure Gus to his nursing home. It isnt until the last moment before he kills Hector that Gus realizes something is wrong. As Hector rings his bell, Gus realizes too late that Walt has rigged it with an explosive. As satisfying as it is to see Walt finally defeat Gus, its equally upsetting to see the state of Gus body after the fact. Face offs arent usually quite so literal!

#4: Chrissy CunninghamStranger Things (2016-)

The horror inspiration is pretty clear throughout this throwback 80s sci-fi show. But this scene takes it to a whole other level. Chrissy Cunningham has been seeing things, and upon visiting Eddie Munson to buy drugs to take the edge off, she experiences something worse. Brought into a trance by the monstrous Vecna, Chrissy is terrorized by him in his mindscape. Back in reality, Eddie is traumatized by the sight of Vecna psychically breaking Chrissys body piece by piece until she dies. The sadism and brutality of the death is enough to turn the stomach.

#3: Noah

The Walking Dead (2010-22)

While on a supply run, Glenn, Noah, and Nicholas are trapped in a revolving door when trying to leave an unfinished mall. With walkers to both sides, it seems hopeless for all 3 of them. Thankfully, Eugene swings by and creates a distraction, luring the undead outside away. But that brief hope is soon dashed. Glenns attempt to break the glass leads a panicking Nicholas to escape on his own. By opening the gap on his side, he leaves enough space for walkers to grab Noah. The poor guy is quickly devoured/torn apart by the zombie hoard in uncomfortably graphic detail. There are upsetting deaths aplenty in this zombie apocalypse series. But this one is downright horrific.

#2: Half the PlayersSquid Game (2021-)

When masked strangers drug you and bring you to an island to play games with a ton of money on the line, things arent likely to end well. The various indebted contestants are disarmed at first, as they play a game of red light, green light with a robotic little girl. But then, the guy in the lead wobbles a little as he stops and is promptly shot. As more players drop, the room turns to panic and over 200 people, half of the players, are quickly massacred. Even the survivors arent much better off, as many more are picked off on the way to the finish line. Its a bloody, vicious introduction to the cutthroat nature of the Squid Games.

#1: Oberyn MartellGame of Thrones (2011-19)

When it comes to appalling deaths in this grim fantasy series, were spoiled for choice. And yet, this one still makes us shudder. In a trial by combat for Tyrions life, Oberyn Martell faces Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. the Mountain. The Dornish prince acquits himself well against the massive knight. But Oberyn doesnt just want to win - he wants a confession from the Mountain about the fate of his sister and her kids. Unfortunately, he strays too close and is brought down by his wounded enemy. Clegane knocks out Oberyns teeth, gouges out his eyes, and squashes his head like a watermelon. Oberyns lover Ellarias reaction really says it all.

Is there a gruesome TV death that still haunts you? Well never get bored of reading your favorites in the comments!