TV is full of surprises, and the biggest ones aren’t always what appear on-screen. Sometimes, the biggest surprises take place behind the scenes. Whether it was ugly firings, brutal personal battles, or defiant battles for justice, these actor exits shocked viewers and irreparably altered their programs. Let’s revisit 10 of television’s most unforgettable exits—and what transpired.
10. Katie Cassidy Leaves Supernatural
Katie Cassidy was a shock as demon Ruby in Supernatural’s third season, only to be suddenly replaced by Genevieve Padalecki in Season 4. Showrunner Eric Kripke attributed it to budget cuts at the time, but Cassidy subsequently clarified she’d taken another job. The recast took fans by surprise, however, as Genevieve not only made the character her own but also married star Jared Padalecki. She even came back for the show’s last season, bringing Ruby full circle.
9. Maggie Roswell Walks Away from The Simpsons
Maude Flanders’ unexpected demise is still one of The Simpsons’ most jaw-dropping moments, but it was the result of a contract negotiation. Voice actress Maggie Roswell asked for a salary increase—from around $2,000 per show to $6,000. Fox offered a paltry additional $150, just enough to cover her travel expenses from Denver to LA. Roswell walked away, and Maude was struck down in the series’ 2,000th show. Viewers weren’t the only ones surprised—Springfield itself was a bit emptier.
8. Lauren Cohan Fights for Equal Pay on The Walking Dead
As Maggie Greene, Lauren Cohan was at the core of The Walking Dead. But once her contract expired, she demanded parity with the show’s male leads. When negotiations broke down, she walked away. Cohan made a return in 2020, but her previous absence was a blow to a show that was already changing. It spawned a larger debate in Hollywood—one that had nothing to do with zombies.
7. Lisa Robin Kelly’s Struggles on That ’70s Show
Lisa Robin Kelly transformed Laurie Forman into a scene-stealer on That ’70s Show, but personal struggles with addiction resulted in her being replaced after Season 3. Christina Moore temporarily took the role, and though Kelly reappeared in Season 5, her demons foiled her comeback. Her premature death in 2013 at just 43 years of age shocked fans and colleagues alike, as a cautionary reminder of how addiction can ravage even emerging talent.
6. Charlie Sheen Goes Off on Two and a Half Men
Charlie Sheen’s departure from Two and a Half Men was not simply a leaving—it was a show. Following public battles with creator Chuck Lorre and erratic appearances in the media, Sheen was let go. His character was quickly offed in an off-screen accident, and Ashton Kutcher took his place. The show struggled on, but the drama over Sheen’s breakdown became almost as well-known as the sitcom itself.
5. Mischa Barton’s Dramatic Exit on The O.C.
The death of Marissa Cooper in Season 3 was one of The O.C.’s most iconic (and heartbreaking) moments. Mischa Barton’s departure, which was portrayed as a fatal car accident, was a writer’s choice, since they saw Marissa as a cursed heroine. Although it provided the series with one of its most legendary episodes, viewers never really got over losing her—and the show was never again the same.
4. Patrick Dempsey’s Leaving Grey’s Anatomy
Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd’s death in Season 11 shattered the hearts of Grey’s Anatomy fans all over the world. But on set, there was allegedly tension. Executive producer James D. Parriott would go on to confirm that HR complaints and on-set tension were a factor in Patrick Dempsey’s exit. Though Derek appeared briefly in a dream sequence years after his death, the show had by then passed the point of no return.
3. America Ferrera Exits Superstore
As Amy Sosa, America Ferrera was the glue of Superstore. When she decided to leave after Season 5, the show lost its fulcrum. Plots flatlined, and without her to stabilize them, the chemistry of the show took a drastic turn. The show wasn’t renewed much later after she left—testimony to how important she was to its popularity.
2. Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park Stand Up on Hawaii Five-0
Following seven years, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park quit Hawaii Five-0 after CBS would not equalize their pay to that of their white co-stars. Their move triggered industry discussions about equality and representation. The series continued, but their absence was felt, and numerous fans praised them for holding firm.
1. Steve Carell Bids Farewell to The Office
Steve Carell’s Michael Scott was the backbone of The Office, and his Season 7 goodbye was as heartbreaking for viewers as it was for the actors. Unlike most departures on this list, Carell’s wasn’t dramatic—he had only committed to seven seasons and declined to renew. Nevertheless, his loss was keenly felt, although he did come back for a surprise cameo in the series finale. The program went on for two additional seasons, but without Michael, it was never the same.
From fiery firestorms to tearful goodbyes, these departures didn’t merely redefine their shows—they rewrote television history. They are a reminder that sometimes, the drama behind the scenes can be just as compelling as what appears on them.