8 Actor Exits That Ruined Their TV Shows

Losing a beloved TV show character was always tricky, but it was even more disappointing when an actor’s decision to leave ruined their respective shows. Over the years, several TV shows have lost key cast members during their runs, whether that be because the character’s storyline had come to a natural conclusion or their actor decided to step away for personal reasons or to focus on other projects. These departures were generally handled with grace and creativity, although there have been some TV exits that were totally out of character, such as Andy (Adam DeVine) in Modern Family, for example.

Regardless of the reasoning behind it, what made many TV show departures even more impactful was the loss of an actor, even more so than their character. Whether they were a main or supporting cast member, the exit of an actor was immediately noticeable for audiences, especially as their absence caused a huge change in the overall atmosphere of their shows, and some TV shows tried continuing without their main character. For many actors, their departure resulted in the show becoming ruined, either slowly declining in quality until its end or within moments of the first episode without them.

8

Steve Carell In The Office

Character: Michael Scott

The Office became immensely popular both during and after its run for several reasons, specifically because of Steve Carell’s Michael Scott. The Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin was one of the most interesting fictional characters to grace the TV screen, keeping audiences entertained with his cringeworthy behavior, absurd schemes, and wild personality. In season 7, Carell departed the show as Michael was reunited with Holly (Amy Ryan), and the two moved away to be nearer to her family. Behind the scenes, his exit was less simple than it appeared, as Steve Carell explained on The Office Ladies podcast (via Spotify).

The actor spoke about his emotional ending on the show and how he believed it was time to move on to other projects and let others enjoy the spotlight. However, it has also been reported that Carell’s contract wasn’t renewed, which he wasn’t expecting. Speaking to the podcast hosts, Angela Kinsey, who played Angela, and Jenna Fischer, who played Pam, Carell stated that NBC did not approach him to renew the contract after it expired in season 7. Unfortunately, when The Office season 8 came around, the show wasn’t the same anymore without Michael, and the show went downhill afterward.

7

Topher Grace In That ’70s Show

Character: Eric Foreman

That ’70s Show is another TV series that lost audiences after a main character’s departure. Although Topher Grace’s absence in season 8 was notable, the loss of Ashton Kutcher’s Michael Kelso also contributed to this. In season 8, Eric left to go to Africa for a college scholarship, leaving Donna (Laura Prepon) behind with his family and their friends. A few episodes later, Kelso moved to Chicago to be closer to his daughter Betsy, who was born in season 7. In a desperate attempt to fill the gaps, That ’70s Show introduced a new character in Randy (Josh Meyers).

Unfortunately, Randy didn’t have the same charm as either Eric or Kelso and simply took up space in the show that wasn’t needed. In reality, Grace and Kutcher left the show to pursue movie careers, and the latter starred as Venom in Spider-Man 3 the year after That ’70s Show ended. Because of the loss of these huge characters, the final season of That ’70s Show was rushed in terms of storylines, and although Josh Meyers gave a fine performance as Randy, the character didn’t have enough depth or time for audiences to bond with him to make him enjoyable.

6

Donald Glover In Community

Character: Troy Barnes

Community lost several major characters in its later seasons, but the most notable was Donald Glover as Troy Barnes. After the death of Pierce Hawthorne (Chevy Chase) off-screen in season 5, he left Troy his boat in his will. The ex-football player then left to sail it around the world at Pierce’s request with Star Trek icon LeVar Burton, waving goodbye to Greendale, Abed (Danny Pudi), and the rest of the study group. Shortly after these events, Yvette Nicole Brown’s Shirley Bennett also left the show, as the actress’ father was sick and needed additional care.

Glover left Community to pursue other projects, as well as work on his music career as Childish Gambino. The actor would ultimately succeed in both areas, selling millions of albums worldwide and also starring in hit shows such as Atlanta. This sudden loss of the major character was jarring for Community, which was already trying to recover from the “gas leak” year without creator Dan Harmon. Abed and Troy’s friendship was such an important and engaging part of the show, and seeing Abed without his best friend was heartbreaking. However, the upcoming Community movie should hopefully see the two reunited.

5

Samira Wiley In Orange Is The New Black

Character: Poussey Washington

Samira Wiley’s Poussey Washington was one of the most impactful characters in Orange is the New Black, and her death rocked both audiences and the show’s cast greatly. During her time on the show, Poussey had some brilliant storylines, including her relationship with Brook Soso (Kimiko Glenn), her past with her mother, and her friendship with Taystee (Danielle Brooks). When Poussey died at the hands of a correctional officer in season 4, it sparked outrage on and off screen, with a riot breaking out in the prison and creating a huge discussion about the treatment of black inmates in audiences.

In an interview, Wiley explained that leaving Orange is the New Black was not her decision (via New York Post). Creator Jenji Kohan also addressed Poussey’s exit, claiming that she “hated losing Samira” and that the character’s death “would have the greatest impact” (via Hollywood Reporter). After Poussey’s death, the show focused heavily on the fallout but also marked the beginning of the end for Orange is the New Black. Following these events, the show spent too much time on its new characters, and the gap left behind by Wiley was never truly filled.

4

Robert Sheehan In Misfits

Character: Nathan Young

The departure of Robert Sheehan as Nathan Young in the hilarious British comedy Misfits set off a chain of events that led to the original cast disappearing in just over a season. In season 2, Nathan met Marnie (Gwyneth Keyworth), and they had their son, Nathan Jr. In the season 3 online minisode, the new family had left for Vegas and Nathan didn’t return to Misfits. By the end of season 3, Simon (Iwan Rheon) and Alisha (Antonia Thomas) were dead, and Kelly (Lauren Socha) disappeared by the beginning of season 4 due to a controversy surrounding the actress.

This left Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) as the only original member of the cast, but he was also gone by season 4, episode 4. There was no doubt that Misfits wouldn’t be the same without Sheehan, but his departure caused the show to slowly and painfully ruin itself, which was difficult to watch. Sheehan stated that he left Misfits to pursue other projects, and while a difficult decision, he ultimately stood by it (via Digital Spy). Misfits without Nathan was a sad sight, but if Sheehan’s co-stars hadn’t followed after him in such quick succession, the show might have survived.

3

Emmy Rossum In Shameless

Character: Fiona Gallagher

Emmy Rossum’s Fiona Gallagher was the backbone of Shameless until her departure in season 9. Fiona had some fascinating character development in Shameless, starting as the sensible older sister responsible for keeping her five siblings fed and safe, especially because of their useless, alcoholic father, Frank (William H. Macy). By the end of her time on the show, Fiona had become unlikeable in some ways, but this also proved that the character had depth and was realistic. After Fiona left the show, other key characters started to follow, including Cameron Monaghan as Ian Gallagher.

Emmy Rossum left Shameless because she was ready to move on and work on other projects. In the same year as Fiona’s last appearance in the Shameless season 9 finale, “Found,” Rossum starred in the miniseries Angelyne as the titular character and also served as executive producer alongside her husband, Sam Esmail. Although it could be argued that Fiona’s exit helped the show, it was also obvious that Rossum’s absence was a clear indicator that Shameless was reaching its natural end. Without one of its best and most developed characters gone, the show scrambled to keep up and never recovered.

2

Angus T. Jones In Two And A Half Men

Character: Jake Harper

Although Charlie Sheen’s exit from Two and a Half Men was a big shake for the show, it was Jake Harper actor Angus T. Jones’ departure that destroyed it. Jones starred as Alan’s (Jon Cryer) son and Charlie’s (Sheen) nephew in the show from 10 years old, and audiences watched him grow up on-screen. In season 10, Jake left the show after being shipped off to Japan with the Army, leaving behind his father and Charlie’s replacement, Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher). Two and a Half Men suffered after Sheen left, but with Jake gone, the show lost its original premise.

Jake appeared less and less in later seasons of Two and a Half Men anyway, and when he did appear, it was usually in storylines that saw the character sleeping with older women. This was partly the reason for Jones’ decision to leave, as he was barely 18 when filming these scenes. At the annual PaleyFest held in Los Angeles in March 2012, he claimed that he found it a “very awkward” experience (via Today). With Jake leaving, it was just Alan and Walden lurking around with little purpose, and the point of Two and a Half Men became obsolete.

1

Mike Ross In Suits

Character: Patrick J. Adams

Unfortunately, Patrick J. Adams’s departure from his role as Mike Ross in Suits caused the hit show to decline in quality. After Mike returned from prison, all seemed normal for the lawyer, but this was what launched Adams’ departure. Patrick J. Adams left Suits in season 7 after marrying Meghan Markle’s Rachel Zane. Markle also left the show around the same time, as she was due to marry Prince Harry and become a member of the British Royal Family. Adams believed that Mike’s story had reached a natural ending and was “unsure of what was left for him to do.”

The actor also spoke about how exhausting the filming process was and how he’d spent “eight years of being away from home and away from [his] now-wife.” Although Adams did return for three episodes in season 9, it was as a recurring character, but the damage had already been done. Mike was such an endearing character, and although he got his happy ending with Rachel, their storyline left a huge gap in Suits that was never filled. Although every season of Suits was engaging and enjoyable to watch, Mike’s departure set the show on a path that caused its downfall.