When a TV show is written, typically, writers, producers, and others in the behind-the-scenes cast have a good idea of the direction they want to go with each episode. Sometimes, it’s just for the first season, sometimes, they get ambitious with a concept to run a full course of multiple seasons. But things can change, as they often do.
Case in point is the many TV show characters who were initially written to be killed off but managed to dodge the proverbial television bullet: Steve Harrington from Stranger Things is one of them. A character ends up staying longer than expected for various reasons, including how compelling the actors were in the roles, or how fan reaction shifted the idea that a character was dispensable.
Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)
The Duffer Brothers have revealed in many interviews, as has actor Joe Keery, that the character of Steve Harrington on Stranger Things was supposed to be killed off in the first season. But fans reacted so well to Steve, who was initially supposed to be the typical egotistical high school jock but quickly became endearing, that they reversed the decision.
Ross Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter that they “fell in love with [Harrington]” during the first season, and thus decided to write a new arc for the character. A big part of that arc was Steve’s budding friendship with Dustin, which made fans love him even more. Steve from Stranger Things is one of the best redeemed TV villains.
Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)
It has been reported time and time again that the original plan was for Jesse Pinkman to die and Walter White to take over the operation on Breaking Bad. But the chemistry between Aaron Paul, who played Pinkman, and Bryan Cranston as Walter, was far too strong to let the character go.
Vince Gilligan told Showbiz Cheatsheet that Jesse was not even supposed to be a main character: he was supposed to die in the ninth episode of the first season. It was a perfectly timed writer’s strike that delayed the filming of the scenes. During this time, the show’s creators mulled over the decision and realized it would have been a “huge, colossal mistake to kill off Jesse.” He went on to become one of the most memorable characters not only on the show but on television as a whole.
Andy Dwyer (Parks and Recreation)
Since Parks and Recreation, Chris Pratt has become one of the biggest action movie stars of this generation. He is arguably best known for playing Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but Chris Pratt has plenty of great movies outside of the MCU. But back then, he was often playing goofy sidekicks in comedy shows and movies. One such role was as Andy Dwyer on Parks and Recreation, who emerged as one of the most memorable characters on the show.
However, the initial idea was for Dwyer to merely be a guest character on few episodes, according to Showbiz Cheatsheet. But the fan reception to the character led to Pratt’s promotion to main cast member in season 2.
Steve Urkel (Family Matters)
Jaleel White created one of the most memorable sitcom characters of the ‘90s with Steve Urkel on Family Matters, who had every Gen-X kid running around declaring “did I do that?” with a high-pitched nasally voice. The show ended up becoming centered around his character and his interactions with the Winslow family, particularly the eldest daughter Laura, who he had a crush on.
But the stereotypical “nerd” was not actually supposed to be a main character, much less central to the show. Family Matters was supposed to be about the Winslows, with Urkel simply being a one-off or occasional guest appearance. Indeed, White told Deadline that he didn’t think much of the role, believing it was just going to be a “one and done.”
Jack Shephard (Lost)
Fans can’t even fathom the idea of Lost without Jack Shephard, who was the show’s main protagonist through its entire run. But the initial idea was actually for Jack to be killed off in the pilot episode.
Interesting, he was going to be the lead, but he would have died in a shocking manner, which would have had everyone talking about the show. However, producers changed their minds when they realized audiences would like Jack as a character and would want to keep him.
NoHo Hank (Barry)
NoHo Hank is the hilariously cruel villain in Barry that fans have come to love (and despise). NoHo has some of the funniest quotes on Barry. But the character was not supposed to be as big a part of the show as he has become. According to The Wrap, he was supposed to die in the pilot episode.
Bill Hader, who plays the title character, commented that “we’d be insane to kill that guy.” He and the showrunner realized NoHo was far too funny a character to let go. Instead, in episode 2, he returns with his arm in a sling, but very much still alive.
Nicholas Brody (Homeland)
Nicholas Brody’s story on Homeland seemed like it should have come to an end after the first season, allowing Carrie to move on and the show to go in another direction with a different story. Instead, he was kept on, much to viewers’ surprise. In an interview with The Daily Beast, showrunner Alex Gansa said they did not regret keeping Brody alive beyond the first season, despite critics believing it should have ended with his death.
“If we had killed him in season 1,” he said, “we wouldn’t have had some of the great episodes of season 2…We wouldn’t have as richly portrayed this man, and where he was emotionally.” Gansa added that he was “grateful to Showtime for making us do our due diligence and keeping him alive…” Brody did eventually die in the third season.
Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
Spike went on to become a fan favorite character on the cult classic TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But that wasn’t the original plan. According to TooFab, he was supposed to get together with Buffy in the second season. After Buffy and Angel connect, Angel would turn evil and kill Spike.
The idea was for Angel to then move on with Drusilla and leave Buffy’s heart completely shattered. That, of course, never happened. Spike went on to re-appear in one episode of season 3, then returned in season 4 and became a main character through to the series’ end.
Carol (The Walking Dead)
It’s unfathomable to consider a version of The Walking Dead (TWD) that didn’t include Carol Peletier, who became a fan favorite character, and one of the only remaining original cast members from TWD season 1 who are still alive. But alas, there was talk of having her character die instead of T-Dog in that heart-wrenching season 3 scene when the latter sacrificed himself so his friend could live.
Greg Nicotero, executive producer and special effects lead, told SFX the little-known fact that it was initially Carol that was going to die in the scene because the writers “didn’t know where to take her character.” Carol’s rise from timid, battered housewife to full-fledged fighter and skilled chameleon who could adapt to any situation clearly worked out and made for one of the most compelling character arcs of the show.
Alison (Pretty Little Liars)
It was only a consideration, but it was quickly squashed when creators realized that killing off Alison instead of her sister Charlotte would have been too dark for fans of Pretty Little Liars, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Alison was accidentally killed by Mona in self-defense, which resulted in Uber-A, a stalker, seeking revenge for her death. The story would have played out much differently had it been Alison who died instead.