If a TV show is going to survive, they will need a well-written script with interesting characters. This makes it even more important to cast the right person for each role. No matter how popular the series can get, it can be hard for the show to keep their main characters to stay on long-running series. Sometimes the creators may need to kill off a main character for the sake of the plot because the character has run their course. Other times, the actor in a lead role has decided to leave for either professional or personal endeavors.
However, not all is lost when a main character decides to leave a show. The tone of the series or even the quality of the product may take a hit, like whenSteve Carrell decidedhe no longer wanted to be onThe Office. Other series, however, have proved that even when a main character decides to take a leave of absence that it only improves the show. It can be very jarring for the audience when a main character decides to leave, but it can actually produce a better product in the end. Here are 10 TV shows that improved after a main character left.
The vampire Angel leaves Sunnydale and Buffy behind when he moves to Los Angeles. He finds new companions who will fight with him against the demon threat. Allen Doyle is just one of those companions and was a half-demon inAngel.Doyle’s character was seen as the comedic relief in this darker toned show. However, he was killed off in the episode “Hero,” which was good for the show since it was able to create a more gritty and tragic tone moving forward.
9Torchwood
Torchwoodwas a spin-off ofDoctor Whothat was able to create emotional episodes allowing the characters, asSyfysays, to explore their queerness. Part of the problem in the main cast was who kept getting into heated arguments like Owen Harper. He was one character that kept making bad decisions throughout his stint on the show. Toshiko Sato was another character that was better liked by audiences, but quickly killed off with Owen in the Season 2 finale “Exit Wounds.” Their departure allowed the show to really spread its wings, andTorchwood: Children of Earthbecame the show’s best season.
8DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
Legends of Tomorrowbuilt its cast around characters ofthe CW’s Arrowversethat weren’t appreciated enough when they were first introduced. The ensemble cast really worked for the show, but Hawkman and Hawkgirl were given too much importance in the first season. Their backstories were introduced in the second crossover event forThe FlashandArrowand then became the entire plot of Season 1 ofLegends. Fans didn’t really get into either character as they were both too bland, but their exit allowed the show to really get into the chaos they were best known for.
7The Expanse
Josephus Miller joined the crew of “The Rocinante” inThe Expanseon a journey to save Earth. He did this for the first two seasons. His arc on the show concluded at the end of Season 2, which was fitting since the show would shift main characters just like in the books. Miller’s departure only elevated the show to new heights as they developed interesting storylines with plenty of plot twists. His death was necessary andsolidified the show in modern television.
6Community
ManyCommunityfans would say that they show was in its prime in the first three seasons. Season 4 was a struggle as fans and critics alike said it was one of their worst seasons. It was fitting then that Season 5 was better received, however, this is also when two main characters decided to leave. Troy and Pierce both left the show for very different reasons. Chevy Chase was in a feud with Dan Harmon, while Donald Glover said he had nothing else to give the show. Having two main characters leave in a show’s fifth season is worrisome, but many fans felt that it kept the show fresh.
5Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreationis another show with an ensemble cast who took it on themselves to make the town Pawnee better. Mark was the charming and handsome city planner in Season 1 and the love interest for Leslie Knope. His character was also the grounded one among the chaos and many different personalities within the Parks department. Mark left in Season 2 and was never mentioned again after they introduced Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger as state auditors.What Nerdsays thatParks and Recfinally found its groove when they replaced Mark with Ben and Chris, who quickly became the show’s most beloved characters.
4The Walking Dead
Shane Walsh was a wildcard and friend to Rick Grimes, whose family he saved during the apocalypse. He’s bitter and resentful and created tension with Rick which became a lot of the storylines in the first seasons. In the second season finale, Shane was killed off after he attempted to kill Rick. He was a fan favorite of the show, so it was hard for a lot of fans to see him go, but his character had fulfilled his storyline.The Walking Deadalso saw an improvement in the following seasons, making fans wonder if Shane was the issue in the first seasons.
3Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blindersfollows the Shelby clan as they plan to take over the town of Birmingham.Thomas Shelby was the leaderof the gang and a close friend to Freddie Thorne, who is Ada Shelby’s child’s father. Freddie was a vital character in Season 1 as he became the face of the unrest in London. His character was killed off in-between Seasons 1 and 2 without any clear reason why. However,Peaky Blindersproved that the show was able to still be successful without him. Freddie’s death pushed Ada to become involved with the family and gave her more interesting storylines.
2Game of Thrones
Fans felt like Ned Stark’s exit fromGame of Throneswas unexpected. It did, however, set the tone for the rest of the series. Ned was the light within the show as the honorable Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North as well as a beloved father and hero in the eyes of his children.Game of Thronesneeded a fan favorite character to die right away since the show is set in a darker world. It also became the first of many plot twists and character deaths the show soon became known for.
1Doctor Who
Doctor Whois the longest-running shows to ever hit TV screens. Every season has the Doctor getting into some crazy predicaments that he has to change. The Doctor is also a Time Lord, which is a fancy way of saying he can regenerate after being killed as long as the Doctor changes what they look like.CBRexplains thatDoctor Whois always making a change to main characters, which may have been the best move on their part. A new Doctor means new adventures and new people to bring on those adventures leaving the fans always wanting more.
