Top 10 TV Actors Who Requested to Have Their Characters Killed Off

“Being Human” (2008-13)

This British supernatural comedy-drama aired on BBC Three from 2008 to 2013. You know, when things like vampires and werewolves were really big. The story concerns the two supernatural creatures living with a ghost in Bristol. Turner starred as the resident vampire, John Mitchell. Turner was offered the role of Kili in “The Hobbit” and decided to leave BBC Three, John Mitchell, and “Being Human” behind. Showrunner Toby Whithouse had planned for this in advance and wrote a sequence in series two where John and his friend Daisy murder a group of innocent people on a train. At the end of series three, a guilt-racked John is killed by George to prevent him from hurting and killing more civilians.

“House” (2004-12)

Harold really grew up! In “Harold & Kumar,” Kal Penn portrays the incredibly intelligent stoner who would rather sit around and smoke weed than attend medical school. In “House,” he plays a doctor named Lawrence Kutner. In the fifth season episode “Simple Explanation,” Thirteen discovers Kutner’s corpse inside his apartment. The death earned some criticism for seemingly coming out of nowhere and serving no narrative purpose, and that’s because the writers hadn’t actually planned on killing off Kutner. Penn had accepted public liaison work in the Obama administration and approached the producers regarding an early exit. They reluctantly agreed, and Kutner was no more.

“Doctor Who” (1963-89; 2005-)

After more than fifteen years off the air, “Doctor Who” returned in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor. He would only last one season, quickly to be replaced by David Tennant. However, it wasn’t because Eccleston did a bad job - in fact, he only agreed to do one season. This news was accidentally leaked to the press shortly after the debut episode, causing some speculation regarding “Doctor Who’s” future. In 2010, he told the Radio Times in very vague terms that he was not happy working on the series. He reportedly didn’t enjoy the on set “environment and...culture” and decided to part ways for personal reasons. Enter David Tennant and the Tenth Doctor.

“24” (2001-10; 2014)

Balfour briefly played Internet Protocol Manager Milo Pressman throughout the first and sixth seasons of Fox’s incredibly popular “24.” In season six, Milo pretends to be Acting Director of CTU to protect Nadia from Cheng Zhi’s forces, a sacrifice that gets him shot in the head. The death was certainly shocking, and if it seems like it came out of nowhere, that’s because it kind of did. Balfour requested to be killed off to work on a pilot for CBS. Unfortunately, the show was not picked up. A few years earlier, Vanessa Ferlito had also left the show to star in a movie with Tommy Lee Jones called “Man of the House.”

“Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-94)

Lieutenant Tasha Yar is an important female character within the realm of science fiction, as she is often considered a forerunner to the more powerful female characters of later “Star Trek” iterations and sci-fi programs. Unfortunately, her stint on the show did not last long. Actress Denise Crosby was not happy with her character, telling StarTrek.com, “I didn’t want to spend the next six years going ‘Aye, aye, captain’ and standing there, in the same uniform, in the same position on the bridge.” Gene Roddenberry understood and honored her request to leave, and Yar was controversially killed off in the first season episode “Skin of Evil.”

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

In 2003, the incredibly popular “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was coming to an end, and fans wondered who would make it out alive. As it turns out, pretty much everyone. Everyone except Emma Caulfield’s Anya Jenkins. Jenkins had reportedly felt that her work was underappreciated, with Joss Whedon telling TV Guide, “Emma had made it clear that she really was not interested in coming back. I think things with Fox weren’t great and she felt ill-used.” To ensure that she didn’t return for any potential sequels or spin-offs, Whedon had Anya killed, making her the only regular character from “Buffy” to be permanently killed off.

“Vikings” (2013-)

Serving as one of the History channel’s most popular programs, “Vikings” follows the story of real life viking and raider, Ragnar Lodbrok. Actress Jessalyn Gilsig plays Siggy, the wife of Earl Haraldson. By the end of season two, Gilsig approached showrunner Michael Hirst and requested to be killed off for unknown family reasons. She told The Hollywood Reporter, “I had some personal things in my life that I needed to be there for — some family things, which everybody has sometimes.” Hirst was completely understanding of the situation and crafted Siggy’s emotional exit from the series in the early half of season three.

“Lost” (2004-10)

As it turns out, some people were okay with leaving“Lost” in season three. (xref) Dominic Monaghan had voiced concerns regarding Charlie’s lack of screentime and reportedly felt “relief” after leaving the show. But perhaps the person most happy to leave was Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who played Mr. Eko throughout the second season. Unfortunately, Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s foster parents passed away around the same time, and he requested that Eko be killed off so he could return to his home city of London and direct a movie about his life. Lindelof and Cuse agreed, and Eko was killed by the smoke monster. His movie, “Farming,” was finally released in 2018.

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

Being killed on “Game of Thrones” was essentially a rite of passage, and Sophie Turner really didn’t want to be left out of that experience! Unfortunately for her, the writers had other plans. During an interview with Wall Street Journal Cafe, Turner bluntly revealed her desire for Sansa to die and for Littlefinger to take the throne. She further added, “It would be really disappointing if [Sansa] got to the end and [she] was just OK.” Cue “The Price Is Right” horn sound. As we all know, not only did Sansa make it to the end, but she was crowned Queen in the North. A satisfying ending, but not the one Turner had envisioned. Or even wanted.

Before we unveil our top pick, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions.

Dan Stevens, “Downton Abbey” (2010-15)
Stevens Wanted to Focus More on Movies

Josh Charles, “The Good Wife” (2009-16)
Charles’s Contract Was Up & He Wanted to Explore New Creative Opportunities

John Diehl, “Miami Vice” (1984-90)
Diehl Desired the Stage (& Was Growing Sick of Miami)

John Francis Daley, “Bones” (2005-17)
Daley Left to Co-Direct 2015’s “Vacation”

T.R. Knight, “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)
Knight Hated His Reduced Screen Time, & His Relationship with Shonda Rhimes Broke Down

“Breaking Bad” (2008-13)

It was basically a foregone conclusion that Hank would die at the end of “Breaking Bad,” so while his death in Ozymandias was certainly emotional, it wasn’t very shocking. But how shocking would it have been if Hank had died in the first half of season five? Norris revealed to the National Post that he had wanted to do a pilot and personally asked showrunner Vince Gilligan to kill him off early. Gilligan obviously refused, as he had a clear vision regarding Hank’s future and the conclusion of the series. Norris acquiesced and never got to do his pilot. But he did get “Under the Dome” soon after “Breaking Bad’s” conclusion, so it all worked out in the end!