There are hundreds of things that go on behind the scenes in order to bring our favorite TV shows to life, but it’s the actors who serve as the faces of each series that usually become the most important aspect to fans.
That’s why losing a lead actor in the middle of a series’ run can be a devastating blow, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of the show. From dramatic scandals to untimely deaths, here are nine TV shows that soldiered on after losing their lead actor.
1. Lethal Weapon
When Fox decided to turn the popular Lethal Weapon film franchise into a TV series in 2016, the network probably didn’t anticipate that most of the drama would actually stem from on-set conflicts between the actors. Stars Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans started to share their animosity for one another on social media, with security guards eventually being called in to ensure that fights between the duo didn’t become physical. In mid-May, Fox announced that Crawford had been fired and would not be returning for Season 3. Instead, the network hired American Pie actor Seann William Scott to step in as a new partner for Wayans’ character.
2. The OC
High-school drama The OC ruled the airwaves during the mid-aughts, as teenagers tuned into the Fox series to watch the love affair between bad-boy Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie) and his girl-next-door crush, Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton). But in a decision that left fans reeling, creator Josh Schwartz killed off Marissa in a car accident at the end of the third season. Schwartz explained that he hoped the twist would help take the series in a new direction, while Barton admitted that she was ready to step back from the series after realizing she wasn’t enjoying it anymore. But fans weren’t thrilled and the series was never quite able to recover, ultimately ending after Season 4.
3. Charmed
After playing a witch for three supernatural seasons on the WB, Shannen Doherty parted ways with Charmed and her costars, Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. Rumors of on-set drama and a feud with Milano were given as reasons for the actress’ departure, but the show didn’t suffer from the loss. Rose McGowan was brought on to replace Doherty as the characters’ half-sister and the show went on for five more years, which means Doherty was there for less than half of Charmed‘s eight seasons.
4. 8 Simple Rules
When John Ritter tragically died from a heart condition in 2003 at the age of 54, he was three episodes into filming the second season of his sitcom, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. After the cast and crew mourned the loss of the legendary actor, they eventually got back to work with a rewritten script and a new name — 8 Simple Rules. Creators wrote his character’s death into the script and brought on David Spade and James Garner to play other family members throughout Season 3. It wasn’t the same without Ritter, however, and the show was canceled after its third season.
5. Three’s Company
Another Ritter sitcom that lost its lead halfway through its run was Three’s Company, although this time it was his co-star Suzanne Somers that left. The actress, who played blonde bombshell Chrissy, requested a significant salary increase for Season 5, but producers decided not to renew her contract after refusing to meet her demands. Somers was eventually replaced by Jenilee Harrison, who played Chrissy’s clumsy cousin. Harrison was then replaced by actress Priscilla Barnes and the series eventually ended after Season 8.
6. Two and a Half Men
Charlie Sheen’s erratic behavior on and off the set of his CBS sitcom, Two and a Half Men, was making headlines in 2011, including his high-profile feud with the show’s creator, Chuck Lorre. Writers killed Sheen’s character, Charlier Harper, off at the beginning of the ninth season and replaced the actor with Ashton Kutcher. Angus T. Jones (the “half” of the shows two and a half stars) left the series two years later and Amber Tamblyn was brought on to play Harper’s illegitimate daughter. Despite the loss of two of its leads, the show ran for a whopping 12 seasons, finally coming to an end in February 2015.
7. The X-Files
Half the fun of watching Fox’s extraterrestrial hit The X-Files was witnessing the chemistry between FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). So when Duchovny left the series after Season 7, fans weren’t happy and the show’s quality took a hit. The series lasted for two more seasons with Robert Patrick serving as a replacement for the actor. Duchovny popped up in a few episodes before the finale — and eventually in the 2016 reboot, as well — but things just weren’t the same as they were in those early years.
8. The Office
Steve Carrell played the emotionally stunted Michael Scott for seven hilarious seasons on The Office, and the actor’s film career started to blossom during that time. Carrell ultimately decided not to continue for an eighth season after his contract expired. The series continued for two more years after the actor’s departure, focusing on other members of the comedy’s ensemble cast. Writers also brought in other actors as temporary replacements for Michael’s position as the boss of Scranton’s Dunder-Mifflin branch, including a short arc with Will Ferrell, but no one could truly fill the void left by Carrell.
9. The Vampire Diaries
Nina Dobrev starred as Elena Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries for six seasons but decided to leave the CW series in order to take on more adult roles in 2015. Writers left things open for the actress to possibly return by putting her character in a coma. It proved to be a smart decision, as Dobrev returned for the series finale at the end of Season 8. Elena woke up from her coma, chose Damon (Ian Somerhalder), and the rest is TV history.
