It’s always heart-wrenching for fans when a cherished television character meets their end. Interestingly, this sentiment resonates not just with the audience, but also with the actors who portray these roles. While some performers might request their characters’ demise—often when looking to exit a series—others may feel distraught at the news. For instance, Conleth Hill expressed his disappointment when Varys was killed off in Game of Thrones, and Laurie Holden felt similarly about Andrea’s fate in The Walking Dead.
In some instances, actors go beyond mere dissatisfaction and actively advocate for keeping their characters alive. Several stars have made passionate pleas to prevent their characters from being written off. Although such efforts rarely alter the course of the show, they can sometimes lead to the actor returning in a different capacity later on. However, there have been noteworthy exceptions where the push to preserve a character was successful. It’s fascinating to explore the reasons behind these requests and the outcomes.
5. Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Denny Duquette in Grey’s Anatomy
Not just renowned for his roles in The Walking Dead and Supernatural, Jeffrey Dean Morgan also made a significant impact during his short-lived appearance as Denny Duquette in Grey’s Anatomy. Despite his character’s relatively brief arc, Morgan’s portrayal captured the hearts of viewers. Upon learning about Denny’s impending demise in season two, he fervently requested creator Shonda Rhimes to reconsider.
In a candid moment shared during an episode of Hot Ones, Morgan reflected on Denny’s pivotal romance with Izzie, emphasizing his fondness for the character. Although his plea went unanswered, he vividly recalled:
“That’s the one time I saw my death coming and was trying everything I could do to get out of that death. That character Denny and that love story with Izzie kind of took the world by storm. I knew how f**king lucky I was to be there, and I was like, ‘Please don’t kill me! I will do anything!’… and I did, I did. I begged her [Shonda Rhimes].”
4. Ella Purnell
Jackie Taylor in Yellowjackets
The character Jackie Taylor was marked for a tragic end from the very beginning of Yellowjackets, yet Ella Purnell faced a tough farewell in the season one finale. Jackie’s death is crucial to the story’s progression, as it symbolizes the decline of the group’s ties to humanity and hints at the darker times ahead. However, Purnell sought to extend her character’s arc before facing such an unforgiving fate.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she expressed initial relief over her one-year contract, believing it would grant her the freedom to explore other projects. Yet, as filming progressed, she grew attached to Jackie and made a request for her character’s preservation:
“I was like, ‘It’s only a one-year deal. I’m not locked into a seven-year contract.’ So, at the time, that seemed really appealing. And then when we started filming — I didn’t want to die. I tried to convince the writers to keep me on the show a bit longer. So they thought about it, and then they called me and were like, ‘She’s got to go. We tried. We did our best.’
While Jackie’s demise is final, Purnell has returned to the series posthumously. Her character continues to linger in the narrative, manifesting as a haunting figure representing the emotional turmoil of her best friend Shauna. This allows for Jackie to remain woven into the fabric of the show, showcasing her lasting influence.
3. Ian McElhinney
Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones
Ser Barristan Selmy, portrayed by Ian McElhinney, emerges as a key figure in Daenerys Targaryen’s journey throughout Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, his character’s death at the hands of the Sons of the Harpy in season five stirred considerable debate, particularly since Barristan remains alive in the original literature by George R.R. Martin. Notably, even McElhinney expressed his reservations about this plot decision.
During an interview with The Huffington Post, he revealed his discussions with showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss where he advocated for Barristan’s survival, articulating his significance in Daenerys’s narrative:
“I did talk to them about it. I gave some arguments of my own why I thought Barristan was kind of important in Daenerys’ story, important enough that he should stay in Daenerys’ story, and he didn’t… It’s their call at the end of the day, so you kind of have to accept whatever the decision is, but I did certainly sort of ask them further about it.”
McElhinney’s sentiments echo those of other actors from Game of Thrones who were dissatisfied with their characters’ arcs. It would have been intriguing to witness Barristan’s role had he been allowed to survive, although given Daenerys’s eventual progression towards darkness, his fate might have been inevitable.
2. Melissa McBride
Carol Peletier in The Walking Dead
Melissa McBride’s advocacy for her character, Carol Peletier, stands out as a rare success, altering the trajectory of The Walking Dead. Initially slated for an early exit, McBride stepped forward to share her vision for Carol at Comic-Con International, voicing her desire to preserve the character’s life:
“There was that time where they were gonna kill her. I asked to speak to somebody to tell them what I thought of Carol, because nobody had asked me at that point. I’m like, ‘Here’s who she is to me, just at least let me tell you that much and if you still want to kill her, fine — but it was important for me to speak for her.’
Carol has since evolved into a cornerstone of the series, and McBride remains grateful for the shift in her character’s fate, acknowledging that she doesn’t quite know what prompted the change. Nevertheless, her strong defense clearly highlighted Carol’s significance to the storyline, with the character continuing to thrive in a post-series landscape.
1. Sean Bean
Douglas Bennett in World On Fire
Sean Bean’s penchant for characters meeting tragic ends has become a running joke among fans. Rather than risk another character demise, he proactively ensured that his role as Douglas Bennett in World On Fire would not end in disaster. Known for his memorable portrayals, including Ned Stark in Game of Thrones, Bean sought clarity about Bennett’s fate before accepting the role.
Reflecting on his initial talks regarding the character, Bean recounted, “It was a telephone conversation and I said, ‘I don’t die in this one, do I?’ and he said, ‘No, no you’ll be fine. You’re alright.'”While this approach differs from pleading to maintain a beloved character, Bean’s insistence highlights the importance of character arcs, particularly within narratives that aspire for non-tragic conclusions.