5 Fan-Favorite TV Characters Who Were Originally Supposed to Die 

It’s crazy how some iconic TV characters were originally meant to meet their demise early on. But, thanks to the universe, fate, or perhaps a few key decision-makers, these characters lived on to steal our hearts.

Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad )

Can you even imagine Breaking Bad without Jesse? Neither can we. Well, creator Vince Gilligan originally planned for Jesse to be killed off in a drug deal gone wrong during the first season. This dark twist was supposed to push Walter White further into the world of crime.

But, thanks to the 2008 writers strike, the season was cut short, saving Jesse from his fate. By the time filming restarted, Gilligan realized how crucial Jesse was to the story, and Jesse eventually outlived Walter.

Carol Hathaway (ER)

Our beloved nurse Carol Hathaway was only meant to be a fleeting guest star on ER. She was scripted to meet a tragic end in the show’s pilot episode. But the audience absolutely loved her, especially the spark she had with Dr. Doug Ross (played by the ever-charming George Clooney ).

Clooney gave Julianna Margulies a heads-up that her character might just survive, and thankfully she did. The duo became one of TV’s iconic couples, and Margulies even bagged an Emmy during her six-season stint.

Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer )

The dashing vampire with a soul, Angel, was meant to meet his final sunset at the end of Buffy's second season. But producers and network execs saw just how much fans adored the character. Instead of killing him off, they gave Angel his very own spin-off – a move only befitting the charming bloodsucker.

Carol (The Walking Dead )

Carol’s transformation on The Walking Dead from a subdued wife to an unyielding warrior has been nothing short of epic. But did you know she was slated to be killed off in season 3?

Luckily, resistance from the cast and Gimple's belief in Melissa McBride's (who plays Carol) talent ensured she lived on. And what a journey she’s had.

Nicholas Brody (Homeland)

The intense relationship between Brody and Carrie was the pulsating heart of Homeland, and it’s hard to picture the show without it. But shockingly, Brody was set to die in the first season. The romance and chemistry between the characters were so palpable that showrunner Alex Gansa chose to let Brody live.