15 TV Shows That Kill Off The Main Character

Some TV shows keep their leads safe no matter what, while others make the bold move to end a protagonist’s story on screen. These decisions can come in the final moments of a series or arrive early and redirect everything that follows, but either way the character’s death becomes a defining part of the show’s narrative.

This list rounds up series where a main character dies within the story world, whether in a finale, a pivotal midseries episode, or a special that functions as part of the canon. For each entry you will find clear context about who dies, when it happens in the story, and how the show addresses the aftermath.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Walter White dies in the series finale of ‘Breaking Bad’ after setting a trap that frees Jesse and wipes out a gang that had taken over his operation. He succumbs to a gunshot wound inside a lab, ending the journey that began with his plan to secure his family’s future.

The final episode shows how his actions ripple through the remaining characters and close out long running conflicts. Law enforcement closes in, and the story leaves no ambiguity that this is the end of Walter’s life on screen.

‘Dexter: New Blood’ (2021–2022)

Dexter Morgan dies in the last episode of ‘Dexter: New Blood’ when his son Harrison shoots him after learning the full truth about his killings. The Iron Lake storyline reveals Dexter breaking his own code, which becomes the tipping point that leads to his death.

The series uses the death to give a final resolution to the character’s arc. It also shows the immediate aftermath for Harrison as he leaves town, bringing the long running story of the forensic analyst who was also a serial killer to a definitive close.

‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008–2014)

Jax Teller dies in the closing moments of ‘Sons of Anarchy’ when he rides his motorcycle into a truck on the highway. Before that he settles scores, says goodbye to his family, and ensures the club’s future is set without him.

The finale frames his death as the end point of a violent cycle. The show then depicts how the club and his loved ones move forward after the loss of their president and central figure.

‘Spartacus’ (2010–2013)

Spartacus dies in the final battle against Roman forces in ‘Spartacus’. The story follows the rebellion to its last stand, staying aligned with the historical fate of the gladiator who led the uprising.

The aftermath shows surviving allies escaping while Rome reasserts control. The series closes by honoring the rebellion’s impact through the memory of its fallen leader.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Eddard Stark dies near the end of the first season of ‘Game of Thrones’ when he is executed in the capital. As the central figure of the initial episodes, his death immediately reshapes the political landscape and propels multiple storylines.

Following this event, the Stark family disperses and new power struggles erupt across the realm. The series continues with an ensemble focus, but it is Ned’s death that sets the long conflict in motion.

‘Vikings’ (2013–2020)

Ragnar Lothbrok dies in ‘Vikings’ when he is captured and executed by King Aelle. The episode presents his fate in the snake pit and closes the chapter on the explorer and raider whose voyages defined the early seasons.

After his death the narrative shifts to the ambitions of his sons as they wage wars and forge alliances. The show uses Ragnar’s absence to fuel new conflicts and to trace the legacy he leaves behind.

‘Power’ (2014–2020)

James St Patrick, known as Ghost, dies in ‘Power’ after being shot in his nightclub. The final stretch of episodes withholds the shooter’s identity while showing how his death destabilizes alliances and rivals.

The series then unpacks the fallout through characters connected to Ghost’s criminal empire and political aspirations. His death also serves as the launching point for related stories that continue with new leads.

‘House of Cards’ (2013–2018)

Frank Underwood is confirmed dead offscreen at the start of the final season of ‘House of Cards’. The story picks up with the aftermath at the highest levels of government and with questions about who benefits from his absence.

The season details legal and personal consequences that follow, including battles over his estate and control of the administration. The narrative treats his death as a mystery to be solved while moving the focus to those who step into the power vacuum.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

Enoch Nucky Thompson dies in the final episode of ‘Boardwalk Empire’ when he is shot on the boardwalk where his rise began. The man who pulls the trigger is revealed to be Tommy Darmody, connecting the ending to a family line Nucky harmed years earlier.

Flashbacks throughout the finale explain how past choices led to that moment. The show completes its examination of crime and politics by ending the protagonist’s life at the place that symbolizes both his success and his downfall.

‘Bates Motel’ (2013–2017)

Norman Bates dies in the finale of ‘Bates Motel’ when his brother Dylan shoots him in a mercy killing. The episode follows Norman as his fractured identity collapses and law enforcement closes in, tying the story back to the family’s long tragic history.

The closing scenes show how Dylan and others cope with what happened. The series uses the death to bridge its modern retelling with the mythos that inspired it while giving a clear endpoint to Norman’s story.

‘Penny Dreadful’ (2014–2016)

Vanessa Ives dies at the end of ‘Penny Dreadful’ when Ethan shoots her to end a catastrophe tied to supernatural forces. Her decision and the act that follows stop the spreading darkness and bring the central conflict to a halt.

The finale then shows how the group disperses and remembers her. The series treats Vanessa’s death as the conclusion to the battle that gathered its characters in the first place and as the moment that restores a fragile peace.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

Pablo Escobar dies on a Medellín rooftop in ‘Narcos’ after a manhunt that spans two seasons. Colombian police and military units track him through surveillance and informants until they finally corner him.

The show then shifts focus to the power structure that rises in the vacuum left behind. It documents how law enforcement and rival traffickers move quickly to reshape the drug trade after Escobar’s death.

‘Prison Break’ (2005–2017)

Michael Scofield dies in ‘Prison Break’ during the special called ‘The Final Break’ when he sacrifices himself to free Sara from a high security situation. The narrative presents his plan and the electrical hazard that kills him as the only way to ensure her escape.

Years later the revival reveals that he survived and had been forced into a new life, but within the original run his death stands as the definitive conclusion. The story shows the markers his friends and family visit, underscoring how the characters believed he was gone.

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

Jack Shephard dies in the last episode of ‘Lost’ after restoring the island’s power source. He collapses in the bamboo grove where his journey began while looking up at the sky as the plane with his friends takes off.

The finale intercuts his final moments with scenes that resolve other characters’ stories. The series closes on Jack’s death as the endpoint of the leadership role he carried throughout the survival narrative.

‘Supernatural’ (2005–2020)

Dean Winchester dies in the final season of ‘Supernatural’ during a hunt that turns fatal. The episode follows his last conversation with Sam and then places him in the afterlife, where he later reunites with his brother.

The closing scenes chart Sam’s life as he grows older and eventually passes on. The show uses Dean’s death to frame both brothers’ endings and to bring a very long road story to a full stop.

Share your picks for other shows that killed a main character in the comments so everyone can compare notes.