Best of 2014: TV’s 10 Most Shocking Deaths

There are certain to be plenty of surprises in 2015, but one thing is a given: Your favorite TV show is going to lose a character or two in the next 12 months. 

As we reflect on a great year of television, it’s only right to pay tribute to the characters who didn’t quite manage to make it to Dec. 31. 

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Here are 2014’s 10 biggest TV character deaths.

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10. James Novak (Dan Bucatinsky) — Scandal

Things didn’t end well for Cyrus’ husband, who knew a wee bit too much about Daniel’s death.

9. Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) — Arrow

The Canary was no more after Sara was taken out by arrows and a big fall.

Read more The Best Television of 2014

8. Neal Cassidy (Michael Raymond-James) — Once Upon a Time

It will be tough for Henry to grow up without his father, and for Gold to be without his son, but at least Bae’s death was a noble one. 

7. Mona Vanderwaal (Janel Parrish) — Pretty Little Liars

It’s still unclear who was behind Mona’s death. What is clear is that Rosewood is not a great town for raising kids. 

6. The Mother (Cristin Milioti) — How I Met Your Mother

One of the more popular sitcoms of the past decade had one of the most derided finales ever, as fans were not pleased that the show killed off Ted’s wife after so much buildup. 

Read more The Worst Television of 2014

5. Beth Greene (Emily Kinney) — The Walking Dead

Beth’s death by Dawn caused fan uproar and petitions to bring her back to life.

4. Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) — Sons of Anarchy

The vest-wearing hero of the show crashed his bike into a truck in a death that mirrored his father’s.

3. Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) — True Blood

The series finale saw Bill’s voluntary demise after he tells Sookie she should be set free.

2. Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) — Game of Thrones

The HBO series included any number of monumental deaths this season, including those of Tywin and the Hound, but Joffrey’s poisoning at the Purple Wedding is probably the most memorable.

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1. Will Gardner (Josh Charles) — The Good Wife

No death this year enraged more fans than that of Will, who had long carried a torch for Alicia. 

Honorable mentions: Nucky on Boardwalk Empire; Daniel on Revenge; Zoe on House of Cards; Charlie on The Newsroom; Twisty on American Horror Story.

Email: Ryan.Gajewski@pgmedia.org
Twitter: @_RyanGajewski