15 TV Shows That Kept Going, Despite Losing Their Lead

1. "Two and a Half Men"

Charlie Sheen, the lead actor of the hit sitcom "Two and a Half Men", was famously fired from the show in its eighth season due to his off-screen antics and public feud with the showrunner, Chuck Lorre. Sheen's character, Charlie Harper, was written off in a rather dramatic fashion – he "fell" in front of a train during his Parisian vacation. The show introduced Ashton Kutcher as Walden Schmidt, a billionaire who buys Charlie's house after his death. Despite Sheen's absence, the series continued for another four seasons. The audience was initially skeptical, but eventually warmed up to Kutcher's character, appreciating the fresh dynamic he brought to the table. Although the ratings dipped post-Sheen, "Two and a Half Men" remained a commercial success, proving that the show indeed could go on.

2. "The Office "

When Steve Carell left "The Office" at the end of Season 7, fans of the show were left devastated. Carell's character, Michael Scott, was the eccentric yet endearing heart of the sitcom. His exit was handled with grace – he moved to Colorado to be with his fiancée, Holly. The show continued for two more seasons, cycling through different bosses, including James Spader's enigmatic Robert California. While some fans remained faithful, others felt the show had lost its original charm and humor without Carell's comedic genius. Despite the mixed reactions, "The Office" still ended on a high note, bringing back Carell for a heartwarming series finale.

3. "House of Cards"

The political drama "House of Cards" faced a significant challenge when allegations of sexual misconduct led to the dismissal of its lead, Kevin Spacey. Spacey's character, Frank Underwood, was written off between seasons with a sudden off-screen death. The final season then centered on his equally conniving wife, Claire Underwood, played by Robin Wright. The switch was met with mixed reactions. Some viewers praised Wright's performance, while others missed the magnetic presence of Spacey. Regardless, "House of Cards" did a commendable job navigating the controversy and providing fans with a final chapter.

4. "Nashville"

Country music drama "Nashville" faced a significant blow when its leading lady, Connie Britton, left the show in its fifth season. Her character, Rayna Jaymes, died due to injuries from a car crash, leaving fans and her on-screen family in shock. After her departure, the show shifted its focus to the remaining ensemble cast. While Britton's exit led to a dip in ratings and mixed reviews from fans, the show's authentic portrayal of life in the country music industry allowed it to continue for another two seasons.

5. "Spin City"

Michael J. Fox's departure from "Spin City" at the end of its fourth season due to his Parkinson's disease diagnosis was a heartfelt loss. Fox's character, Mike Flaherty, left his job in the Mayor's office, paving the way for Charlie Sheen's character, Charlie Crawford, to step in as the new Deputy Mayor. The remaining two seasons were met with a generally positive response, with fans appreciating Sheen's contribution. Despite this, the show was unable to maintain its initial high ratings and ended after the sixth season.

6. "The X-Files"

The iconic sci-fi series "The X-Files" took a daring turn when David Duchovny, who played the UFO-obsessed Fox Mulder, left the series after season 7. His character was abducted by aliens, allowing Robert Patrick's John Doggett to take the reins of the X-Files unit. Despite initial backlash from fans, the series continued for two more seasons before its initial ending in 2002. Duchovny's absence and the introduction of new characters were controversial, and the ratings noticeably dropped. Despite this, the series was resurrected years later, with both Duchovny and his co-star Gillian Anderson reprising their roles, proving the lasting impact of this cult classic.

7. "Scrubs"

Medical comedy-drama "Scrubs" is another example of a show that pushed on despite the departure of its lead. Zach Braff's J.D. left at the end of season 8, but the show chose to continue with a new cast in a medical school setting. Audience response to the revamped "Scrubs: Med School" was mixed, with some fans finding it difficult to adjust to the absence of beloved characters, while others praised the new characters' fresh perspectives. Unfortunately, ratings suffered, and the ninth season ended up being its last.

8. "Charmed "

In the supernatural drama "Charmed," Shannen Doherty's Prue Halliwell was killed off at the end of the third season due to reported behind-the-scenes drama. The show introduced a long-lost half-sister Paige, played by Rose McGowan, as a replacement. The series successfully continued for another five seasons, with fans generally accepting the new dynamic between the sisters. Although the ratings took a hit after Doherty's departure, "Charmed" remained a fan favorite, showcasing its charm (pun intended) even without one of its original leads.

9. "Lethal Weapon"

Fox's TV adaptation of "Lethal Weapon" faced a significant change when Clayne Crawford was fired after season 2 due to alleged on-set behavioral issues. His character, Martin Riggs, was killed off, and Seann William Scott was brought in as a new character, Wesley Cole. The audience response was polarized; some fans couldn't adjust to the loss of the Riggs-Murtaugh dynamic, while others were willing to give the new character a chance. Regardless of the controversy, "Lethal Weapon" soldiered on for a third season before coming to an end.

10. "Once Upon a Time"

Fantasy drama "Once Upon a Time" saw a massive cast shakeup at the end of its sixth season, with several main actors, including lead Jennifer Morrison, leaving the show. The series then introduced a time-jump plot with new characters and a grown-up version of Morrison's on-screen son, Henry. Although the seventh season was met with lukewarm reviews and a dip in viewership, some fans found the new storyline intriguing. The series did, however, conclude after the seventh season, ending its fairy tale run.

11. "Criminal Minds "

"Criminal Minds," a popular crime drama series, saw the exit of its lead actor Mandy Patinkin after just two seasons due to creative differences. His character, Jason Gideon, left the Behavioral Analysis Unit without any notice, causing quite a stir among the team. Joe Mantegna was then introduced as David Rossi, an original founder of the BAU. Despite initial shock, fans eventually accepted Mantegna, and the series continued for an impressive total of 15 seasons. This resilience demonstrated "Criminal Minds'" ability to adapt and thrive amidst major changes.

12. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" continued its successful run even after losing its lead actor, William Petersen, in season 9. Petersen's character, Gil Grissom, left his role as the night shift supervisor, leading to the introduction of Laurence Fishburne's character, Dr. Raymond Langston. Although Fishburne left after just two seasons, the series carried on, ultimately running for a total of 15 seasons. The audience's reaction to the lead changes was mixed, but the show's ability to consistently deliver complex crime-solving narratives ensured its enduring popularity.

13. "The Vampire Diaries "

When Nina Dobrev left "The Vampire Diaries" after its sixth season, fans were devastated. Her character, Elena Gilbert, was put into a deep sleep, and the narrative shifted focus to the remaining characters. Despite the significant loss, the supernatural drama continued for two more seasons. While some fans felt the series had lost its essence without Dobrev, others appreciated the fresh dynamics and plotlines that emerged in her absence. The series concluded with Dobrev's return in the final episode, giving fans a fitting closure.

14. "Roseanne"

Perhaps one of the most dramatic lead exits in television history was Roseanne Barr's firing from the revival of her eponymous sitcom, "Roseanne." The show was initially canceled due to a controversial tweet from Barr but was later rebooted as "The Conners," with Barr's character killed off via an opioid overdose. The remaining characters had to grapple with her death, and the series shifted its tone to tackle more serious themes. Although there was initial skepticism from viewers, "The Conners" has been praised for its nuanced storytelling and has been successfully running without its original lead.

15. "Beverly Hills, 90210 "

The departure of Shannen Doherty from "Beverly Hills, 90210" after its fourth season was a significant turning point for the iconic teen drama. Doherty's character, Brenda Walsh, left Beverly Hills to attend a London drama school, leading to the introduction of Tiffani Thiessen's Valerie Malone. Despite the controversy surrounding Doherty's exit, the series continued for a total of ten seasons.