WARNING! Major spoilers for Lovecraft Country ahead.
After facing shoggoths, racism, and historical horrors, several characters in Lovecraft Country’s season 1 finale, “Full Circle”, met their gruesome fate at the hands of ancient magic, shapeshifting potions, and more; here’s each of them explained.
Misha Green’s HBO series is adapted from Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel of the same name. It follows Atticus “Tic” Freeman (Jonathan Majors) after he discovers that he is the descendant of Titus Braithwhite, who started the fraternal secret society known as the Sons of Adam. After arriving in Ardham, Massachusetts near “Lovecraft Country”, he and his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) along with Letitia “Leti” Lewis (Jurnee Smollett), uncover more than just the secrets of his familial past, but reveal his supposed destiny as a blood sacrifice. The HBO series is known for featuring important conversations on the generational trauma and racism that Black people experience in America with the inclusion of historical moments such as the 1921 Tulsa race massacre and the murder of Emmett Till. It’s also known for its notable subversion of the racist horror icon it takes inspiration from, H.P. Lovecraft.
While some of the contents are difficult to witness, the season 1 finale, “Full Circle”, featured the gruesome deaths of several beloved characters; so much so that it has left many questioning how Lovecraft Country season 2 could happen without them. As Atticus’s lifeless body was carried back to the car and Diana “Dee” Freeman tightened her grip around Christina Braithwhite’s neck, the future of Lovecraft Country and its characters became even more mysterious. Here’s every character’s death and what they could possibly mean for the show’s future.
Ruby Baptiste
In order to save Atticus from having to die during the autumnal equinox, he must combine his flesh with Titus and Christina’s. By doing so, he would bind Christina from doing any magic. In Lovecraft Country episode 10, “Full Circle”, Leti asks Ruby to get a piece of Christina, considering how close the two of them are. While she initially says no to the inquiry, Ruby unexpectedly shows up before the entire Freeman household is about to leave for Ardham to give Leti what she asked for.
While it appeared to be a special moment shared between the sisters was actually Christina disguised as Ruby by using the same potion that allowed her to transform into William. She later claims that she killed Ruby, but does not explain how she did it. While it is entirely plausible that Christina could’ve killed her, it’s likely Ruby is actually alive. As she explained to Ruby, she has to keep William alive and in a comatose state to transform into him; the same goes for Hilary Davenport. It is more likely that Ruby is alive in the basement of the Braithwhite house in a comatose state, but now that Christina is gone and Leti thinks she is dead, there is no telling what will happen to her in Lovecraft Country season 2.
Letitia “Leti” Lewis
Christina finds out that Atticus has the Book of Names, and she takes away Leti’s invulnerability after they refuse to give it to her. When it’s revealed that the Ruby they took to Ardham was actually Christina, Leti and Christina (as Ruby) fight to the death in a tower. As Leti falls to the ground, she seemingly dies upon impact. Somehow, she is later resurrected when the invulnerability spell is restored. When Atticus realizes that Leti hasn’t shown up with Montrose, Hippolyta, or Ji-Ah, he deduces that she’s dead. While his blood is being drained from his body, he could have used what little magic he had left in him to bring her back to life by casting the invulnerability spell.
This could be probable except it begs the question: why didn’t he place the spell back on her before they went to Ardham? The answer comes via a very brief reveal — it was actually Christina who recast the spell on Leti. Right before the mark reappears on Leti’s body, Christina’s Ruby disguise is seen looking down on her while reciting the spell. This moment reveals that she is the one that restored Leti’s invulnerability; Christina wanted to keep her promise to Ruby.
Atticus “Tic” Freeman
The entirety of Lovecraft Country season 1 has led to the moment where Atticus Freeman dies. Christina Braithwhite and the Sons of Adam’s goal was always to acquire Tic’s blood to perform a spell that would grant them immortality. During the autumnal equinox, Atticus prepares to surrender himself to Christina in order to save his family. In a bloody and heartbreaking scene, he bleeds to death and Christina transforms into an immortal evil.
His death has been imminent since he first stepped foot in Ardham. Had he not gone to save his father, it is entirely plausible that he would still be alive, but Atticus couldn’t escape his fate. Ji-Ah saw it in him when they first met in Korea — he was always meant to die during the autumnal equinox. Whether he will stay dead is up to the showrunners, but it is likely he will not return for Lovecraft Country season 2 based on season 1’s reliance on his death. It’s possible that his son’s book about their life may contain answers regarding how to bring him back.
As Diana reads in the woods of Ardham, “He knew telling a story was a kind of power, but he also knew it wasn’t enough. If they were ever truly gonna disrupt the hierarchy of warlocks, they would have to spill blood other than their own.” The quote doesn’t seem to fit into any existing episode in the show; it’s unknown who he is exactly. This could be a hint at what’s to come for Atticus’s future if Lovecraft Country season 2 happens.
Christina Braithwhite
After Ji-Ah helps Leti bind Christina (and all white people) from using magic, Diana approaches a near-dead Christina. As she exposes her bionic arm—courtesy of her time travelling mother—she uses it to grip the woman’s neck until it explodes. There is no way that Christina could ever bounce back from such an injury unless the immortality spell was still working, which it’s not. It is possible that she could live on through William, who may wake up from his comatose state in Lovecraft Country season 2, but that is uncertain.
In episode 10, “Full Circle”, nearly every major character died. While it was not a big moment, Ji-Ah even reveals that her mother died, which led her to help Atticus and his family. The entirety of episode 10 is dedicated to keeping family together, no matter the cost. While it appears as though the Freeman family was broken apart forever, the death of Atticus offered Montrose the opportunity to become a better father. Even Ruby’s true feelings for her little sister were fully realized when she put herself at risk to help Leti.
Lovecraft Country season 1 came to a close with several questions unanswered and various character deaths that will undoubtedly define its future, especially as Leti’s pregnancy progresses and Diana harnesses her true strength.
