Netflix's Ozark recently received significant backlash for its April 2022 series finale over the death of the fan-favorite female protagonist, Ruth Langmore. The response that Ozark has received proves how much fans grow to care for the characters of a story, and a main protagonist's storyline ending with their death can be a bitter, unsatisfying conclusion for the viewer.
The death of a main protagonist can shift the entire story dynamic significantly, and few titles that have attempted to do this have done so without fan backlash. However, in a number of these rare cases, the choice of killing off the protagonist has shown it can be a unique decision to progress the plotline in a way that was otherwise unachievable.
Game Of Thrones (2011 - 2019)
Game of Thrones is well known for having a large number of significant and rather brutal main character deaths - but this was not yet apparent to fans back in the show's first season.
Many fans were shocked at the season one finale death of Ned Stark at the hand of the Lannisters. With the story revolving around Ned Stark and his children throughout the first season, the sudden death left many stunned. Though an initial shock for viewers, this was just the first taste of how quickly a character's fate can turn in Game of Thrones - with many more primary character deaths to come in the following seasons.
Misfits (2009 - 2013)
Nathan Young was a fan favorite throughout Misfits for his comedic relief in uncanny situations and his struggle to discover his power. It wasn't until Nathan dies by being impaled after falling from a rooftop that his true power is discovered: immortality.
Nathan's death left viewers stunned that Misfits would choose to kill off the star of the show so abruptly. However, this turned out to be a perfectly planned decision and resulted in a very comical and fitting discovery of Nathan's powers. The look of shock on the group's face when they got a lead from "Superhoodie" and dug up Nathan's grave to find him very much alive arguably makes up one of the most iconic episodes in the series overall.
American Horror Story (2011 - )
The anthology series American Horror Story is well known for significant character deaths during its 10 seasons - however, one of the most shocking and impactful deaths for fans was the season 1 teenage protagonist, Violet Harmon (Taissa Farmiga).
Captured in an emotional scene alongside love interest and season antagonist Tate Langdon ("The Rubber Man"), it was revealed in the 10th episode that Violet had passed away due to an overdose in a prior episode and had since become a ghost of the house. With no clue that she was dead until she saw her own body, Violet breaks down and struggles to accept her own death in an extremely difficult moment for fans to witness.
The Haunting (2018 - )
Another anthology series that has killed off the protagonists in emotional, tragically beautiful scenes, is The Haunting. In The Haunting of Hill House, Nellie Crain is one of the five children to reside in Hill House amongst the dark spirits and trickery of the sinister Red Room. Unfortunately, her past comes back to haunt her and she dies a heart-wrenching death inside of the house as an adult. Though the death was well-tied into the storyline, many viewers struggled to watch the vulnerable Nellie become the "Bent-Neck Lady" that she had feared so strongly.
In The Haunting of Bly Manor, Dani Clayton offers her body as a vessel for the malevolent spirit of Viola Lloyd. In doing so, Dani saves the life of Flora and allows all spirits bound to the Manor by Viola's rage to ascend. The shock factor that this plot point delivered was initially there as Dani made her impulsive decision, but it was the eventual confirmation that she had become the new Lady of the Lake that was the true bittersweet ending to her tale. Though Dani's death is saddening, her sacrifice meant that nobody - alive or dead, would ever suffer again.
Russian Doll (2019 - )
Russian Doll's Nadia Vulvokov is a game developer who finds herself caught in a time loop after her sudden death on her 36th birthday. She then finds herself reliving that same birthday and dying repeatedly as she struggles to work out what is happening to her.
Nadia has found herself met with a number of deaths, from electrocution to bee allergies or heart attacks - even a flight of stairs was quite the enemy for her! The string of wacky and comical death scenes are adored by fans and have been used successfully in a unique way, allowing viewers to grow closer with her, rather than bid her farewell.
The Shannara Chronicles (2016 - 2017)
The Shannara Chronicles tells the story of main protagonist Amberle Elessedil, alongside companions Wil and Eretria, as they journey to protect the ancient Ellcrys tree from dying and subsequently releasing all of the banished demons back into the Four Lands.
In the season 1 finale, Amberle sacrifices her own life to become the new Ellcrys tree, ridding the Four Lands of the demons once more. It was a fitting and selfless end to the elven princesses' journey and not one that was taken lightly by Wil and Eretria. Though her fate was hinted at throughout her journey, it didn't make Amberle's final goodbye any less emotional for fans of the trio.
The Vampire Diaries (2009 - 2017)
The Vampire Diaries has killed off its main protagonist, Elena Gilbert a handful of times. Elena Gilbert's first death occurred when she was drained of her blood during a ritual by Klaus Mikaelson. Later, Elena drowns with Damon's blood in her system and becomes a vampire. Elena dies once more in an explosion alongside Damon, in a sacrifice to terminate the Travelers.
However, Elena's final and most satisfying death comes from a diary entry, which states that she and Damon were finally able to live a long and happy life together as mortals. Fans were relieved that, in the epilogue, selfless Elena was one of Mystic Falls' surviving characters finally catching a break. This fulfilling ending to her story had viewers content with Elena going out in a positive way, after all of her prior struggles.
The Magicians (2015 - 2020)
The Magicians broke the hearts of longtime fans with the death of Quentin Coldwater in the season four finale, who was bid farewell with a very emotional and melancholic death after he sacrificed his own life in order to save his friends. The last fans ever get to see of Quentin is in a scene where he watches from the underworld as his friends gather around a fire, mourning his death.
Quentin's death was originally intended to make a statement, but instead, it kicked up significant amounts of backlash from fans on Twitter. After four seasons of getting to know Quentin as the protagonist, many feel that he was robbed of the happy ending he truly deserved ... all for the sake of shocking the audience.
Skins (2007 - 2013)
With an episode dedicated to focusing on each character, Skins portrays the everyday lives of a group of British teenagers as they navigate growing up and conflict with the world. Post-finale, Skins has been widely recognized for its incredibly successful cast.
Chris Miles, the fan-favorite resident party boy of the group, unexpectedly passed away of a brain hemorrhage in season 2. The character not only stirred emotion in viewers after passing so suddenly, but it was even harder to watch as his parents forbid his friends from attending his funeral. Of course, this didn't stop them from finding a way to pay their respects.
As the Skins gang set off fireworks to honor Chris and viewed his funeral from afar, many fans found themselves crying alongside the group whilst they bid farewell to their beloved friend.
3% (2016 - 2020)
3% is a dystopian story that follows the journey of protagonist Michele Santana as she navigates a series of trials known as "The Process." The Process grants a singular chance for participants to leave the barren Inland as one of the 3 percent worthy of life in the luxurious "Offshore."
In the final season, Michele was killed mid-confrontation due to a stab wound inflicted by her brother, Andre Santana. Building up to this, Michele had transformed from a hero of "The Cause" to one of the cold-blooded Offshore antagonists she had once deeply despised. Ultimately, Michele made no effort to back down from her fleeting position of power and skewed ideologies. For this reason, her death felt somewhat needed to achieve the true peace that emerged in the series finale.