It's not uncommon for actors and actresses to express a desire to have their characters killed off in movies or TV shows. Sometimes, an actor may feel that their character's storyline has reached a natural conclusion, and firmly believe that there is no more room for growth or development. This can lead to them feeling frustrated or stagnant, and the actor may feel that it's time to move on to other projects.
Another reason why some actors may want their characters written off is that they are concerned about being typecast or becoming too closely associated with a particular role. By having their character killed off, they can truly show their range as an actor and take on new and different roles in the future.
In some cases, the demanding schedule of a long-running TV show or movie franchise can take a toll on an actor's personal life, and they may feel that it's time to step away from the current acting project. Here is a compilation of actors, including Netflix's superstar Maya Hawke, who have expressed that they wanted their character's lives to end...
7 How Maya Hawke Wanted Her Stranger Things Character Robin To Die In Season 5
The Stranger Things star and daughter of actress Uma Thurman expressed how she would "love" to see her character Robin killed off in the last season, speaking to Rolling Stone, she said: "It's the last season, so people are probably going to die. I would love to die and get my hero's moment. I'd love to die with honor, as any actor would."
She even defended the Stranger Things creators after co-star Millie Bobby Brown famously labeled them "two sensitive sallies that don't want to kill anyone off," saying: "I love the way that the Duffer Brothers love their actors. The reason that they write so beautifully for me and for everyone else is because they fall in love with their actors and their characters, and they don't want to kill them. I think that's a beautiful quality that they have, and I wouldn't wish it away."
6 How Sophie Turned Wanted Her Game Of Thrones Character To Have A Cool Death Scene
The actress has expressed on numerous occasions that she wanted her beloved Game of Thrones character Sansa Stark to be written off with a memorable death scene. She let slip on the E! red carpet in 2016 that she would flip through the script, looking for a death scene, saying: "I’m like flicking through [the scripts] and I’m like death, death, death, death, I’m good for this season!"
During an interview with Wall Street Journal in 2016, Sophie Turner made a surprising revelation that she would prefer if her character Sansa Stark would have eventually been killed off, saying: "If you’re on Game of Thrones and you don’t have a cool death scene, then what’s the point?"
5 How Dean Norris Wanted His Breaking Bad Character Hank Written Off
Dean Norris confirmed that he requested for his character Hank to die during the first half of the fifth and final season of Breaking Bad, but the idea was quickly shot down by show producers. He revealed this during an interview with CBS This Morning, saying: "I said, 'Would it be interesting if Hank died in the first eight (episodes)?' They said, 'No, we kind of need you for the last eight. We've been building that up the for last five years' ... Obviously, I'm glad that they did."
He continued, saying: "There’s going to be a big Walt-Hank showdown. Obviously now that Hank is on to it, he needs to deal with that situation. It’s like a freight train, man.”
4 Harrison Ford Wanted His Star Wars Character Han Solo To Die
Harrison Ford, the beloved action star and real-life hero who played the character Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy, expressed his desire to have the character killed off in the third film, Return of the Jedi. Ford felt that the character had run his course and that there was nowhere else for him to go. He also believed that killing off Han Solo would add a sense of gravity and stakes to the story, making it more impactful for the audience.
Despite his wishes, creator George Lucas decided to keep Han Solo alive and well in Return of the Jedi. Though 30 years later in the 2015, Ford was happy to see his character's story end in Star Wars: Force Awakens, telling Entertainment Weekly: "I've been arguing for Han Solo to die for about 30 years, not because I was tired of him or because he’s boring, but his sacrifice for the other characters would lend gravitas and emotional weight."
3 How Patrick Dempsey Requested For His Iconic Grey's Anatomy Character Written Off
The actor who played the character of Dr. Derek Shepherd, also known as "Dr. McDreamy," on the popular TV show Grey's Anatomy has spoken publicly about his desire to have his character killed off the show.
In an interview with People in 2016, Dempsey revealed that he felt that his character's storyline had run its course and that he was ready to move on to other projects, saying: "I’m very grateful for Grey’s Anatomy. It’s given me the opportunity to do everything. But at the same time, there was a cost. I think after a certain period of time, no matter how much money you make, you want control out of your own schedule.”
He continued, saying: "It had been long enough. It was time for me to move on with other things and other interests. I probably should have moved on a couple of years earlier."
2 Dan Stevens Wanted His Downton Abbey Character Killed Off
Dan Stevens played the character of Matthew Crawley on the popular British TV drama Downton Abbey. In a 2013 interview with The Telegraph, Stevens explained that he had decided to leave the show in order to pursue other opportunities, and that he had discussed his departure with the show's creator, Julian Fellowes.
Stevens also revealed that he had suggested a few different ways that his character could be written out of the show, including the possibility of a car accident or a return to active duty in the military. While his role in Downtown Abbey catapulted him into the limelight, he was afraid he would get typecast if he stayed on the show for too long. He left to pursue more variety in his acting roles.
1 How Megan Boone Wanted To Leave The Blacklist For A While
The Blacklist actress spoke publicly about her desire to have her character Elizabeth Keen killed off the show. As per Deadline in 2021, it was revealed that Boone had approached the show's creators with the idea of having Elizabeth Keen die in order to bring closure to the character's story and to allow the other characters on the show to move forward.
After eight years playing the character Liz Keen, she wanted to work on other projects. The writers were aware of this and created a satisfying end for her.
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