11 TV and Film Characters Who Were Supposed to Die Early, But Lived to Be Legendary

Many popular TV shows and movies have given us unforgettable characters. It’s hard to imagine a world without figures like Princess Leia, Batman, or Captain America! Even if you don’t follow these series closely, you likely recognize these characters – they’ve become deeply ingrained in our culture. As the entertainment industry expands with streaming and big franchises, this list of iconic characters keeps growing. But surprisingly, some of these famous faces almost didn’t make it – they were originally planned to die much earlier in their stories. Here are a few of our favorite characters who were supposed to meet an early end but thankfully survived to become legends.

Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)

Back in 2016, if someone had predicted Steve Harrington would become a beloved, central figure and the most developed character in Stranger Things, most people would have dismissed it as impossible. But that’s exactly what happened over the course of the hit Netflix series, which concluded in 2025. Steve transformed from a self-absorbed high schooler focused on romance into a courageous protector who consistently put himself in danger for his friends. Now, it’s hard to imagine the story in Hawkins, Indiana, without Steve Harrington playing a vital role in battling the supernatural threats.

Originally, the character Steve was planned to die at the end of the first season. But Joe Keery’s performance was so compelling and nuanced that the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, decided to keep him around and give his character a chance to grow and change – a decision fans are very grateful for.

Dewey Riley (Scream)

David Arquette played a crucial role in solving the Ghostface murders throughout the first four Scream films. His character, initially portrayed as a somewhat clumsy and anxious law enforcement officer with a good heart, evolved into a seasoned and resilient hero, all while maintaining his sense of humor and strong moral values.

I was so bummed when Dewey died in the latest Scream movie, even though it was kinda predictable. But it’s wild to think he almost didn’t make it past the first one! Apparently, the writer, Kevin Williamson, originally planned for Dewey to die, but Wes Craven was smart and filmed a little extra scene to see how fans would react if he lived. And we loved Dewey! That’s why they kept him around, and he became such a huge part of all the Scream movies.

Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)

It’s fascinating how Daryl Dixon, a character originally created for the TV series and not featured in the comic books, became such a fan favorite in The Walking Dead. Many would argue he’s just as popular, if not more so, than Rick Grimes. When we first met Daryl in the first season, he was a tough, somewhat grumpy loner who rode a motorcycle. Over time, though, he opened up, built strong friendships with the group, and proved himself to be incredibly valuable as a tracker, hunter, and fighter.

Let me tell you, Daryl Dixon’s journey on this show is incredible. Originally planned for an early exit – seriously, they almost had him killed off in season one during that walker attack! – he’s become a cornerstone of the whole story. He stepped up as a father figure to Judith, found a couple of romances along the way (RIP Donnie!), and even carried his own spin-off series for four seasons. It’s amazing to think how different the show would be without him as Rick’s loyal right hand. Honestly, I can’t even imagine it.

Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)

Surprisingly, Jesse Pinkman was originally written to die at the end of Breaking Bad‘s first season. The initial plan involved him dying in a failed drug deal, which would have deeply affected Walter White in the next season. However, the strong on-screen connection between Jesse and Walter, combined with a writers’ strike that allowed Vince Gilligan time to reconsider, saved Jesse’s character. He ultimately became part of what many consider to be one of the greatest duos in television history.

Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Spike is a fan favorite character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and his journey is incredibly compelling. He started as a villain, then fell in love with Buffy, joined her group of friends, and even died—only to come back to life. Originally, the show’s creators only planned for him to appear in five episodes and be killed off in the second season. It’s hard to imagine Buffy without Spike’s impact, and fans are thankful the show took a different path.

Lafayette Reynolds (True Blood)

Lafayette Reynolds from True Blood is a memorable pop culture figure – witty, stylish, and incredibly dynamic. Nelsan Ellis, the talented actor who played him, brought depth and complexity to a role that could easily have been one-dimensional. Originally, the character was meant to have a short arc, mirroring his fate in the books. However, Lafayette’s popularity led creators to keep him alive throughout the entire series, giving him more power and a central role in the show’s biggest stories. This made him a beloved character and an important figure for the LGBTQ+ community.

Eleven (Stranger Things)

Originally, the showrunners planned for Eleven to die at the end of the first season. This would have been a particularly disappointing outcome, considering the initial intention was for the show to last only one season. However, Netflix requested more episodes, and because Eleven was so central to the story of Hawkins Lab and the experiments that took place there, she continued as a main character throughout the entire series.

Though fans still discuss what ultimately happened to her, her journey was truly inspiring. El started as a scared and traumatized child, used as a test subject, but she eventually found real friendship, caring adults, and the freedom to make her own decisions. We like to imagine she’s now living a peaceful and happy life.

Poe Dameron (Star Wars)

Poe Dameron, a skilled X-wing pilot fighting for the Resistance, quickly became a central character in the newer Star Wars films. Many fans consider him one of the best additions to the franchise in recent years. Oscar Isaac brought a lot of charm, courage, and charisma to the role. Fortunately, Isaac advocated for a larger role for Poe, as the character was originally intended to die in the very first scene of The Force Awakens. Isaac successfully convinced director J.J. Abrams to change his mind and keep Poe alive.

Jack Shephard (Lost)

Believe it or not, Jack Shephard wasn’t originally intended to be the main character of Lost. The show’s creators initially planned to kill him off in the very first episode and make Kate the leader. Michael Keaton was first cast as Jack, but he didn’t want to commit to a long-running series, so the plan to kill the character off suited everyone. However, the team later decided to keep Jack alive, but Keaton still wasn’t interested in a series commitment. That’s when Matthew Fox stepped in, and the rest, as they say, is history. Ultimately, Jack’s story came full circle with his death in the final episode, providing a powerful and memorable ending.

Castiel (Supernatural)

Castiel is amazing, plain and simple. He’s a powerful, unpredictable character, and fans adore him. Although he tragically died in the show’s last season, the writers originally planned for his death much earlier – shortly after he first appeared in season four. He actually ‘died’ several times, but he always managed to return. He was just impossible to keep gone!

Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Similar to Stranger Things, Buffy the Vampire Slayer also has two characters on this list. Besides Spike, Faith is another villain who ultimately found redemption, though her story almost didn’t make it to television. Originally, the writers planned for her to die by suicide in season three, but thankfully they decided to keep her on the show. This allowed us to witness a truly iconic character transformation. Though we’re disappointed she won’t be included in the Buffy reboot, Faith will always remain a beloved character for fans.

2026-01-15 21:04