TV Shows That Resurrected Characters in Response to Fan Outcry
Numerous TV shows have made the error of killing off or writing a character out, only to later reverse that decision.
Roseanne, which aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997, chronicled the Conner family as they navigated the challenges of working-class life. Barr portrayed Roseanne Conner, while John Goodman played her husband, Dan Conner. The family dynamic was further enriched by Roseanne’s sister, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), along with Roseanne and Dan’s children: Darlene (Sara Gilbert), Becky (Sarah Chalke and Lecy Goranson), and D.J. (Michael Fishman).
Following a brief revival of Roseanne in 2018, some plot points required adjustments. The original series concluded with Dan’s demise, which was later explained as simply being a dream.
“I thought it was a clever way to handle it,” Goodman joked at a Television Critics Association press tour panel in 2018.
The ABC series was ultimately canceled following Barr’s controversial social media activity and rebranded as The Conners, a spinoff that excluded the actress.
On AMC, Fear the Walking Dead eliminated Kim Dickens in 2018, despite her being a central character on the show.
“It was shocking. Obviously, it was shocking to me, and it was disappointing. It was heartbreaking,” she shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2018. “There were so many more stories to tell and so many more directions to explore, so my initial reaction was one of disappointment and heartbreak. But ultimately, it’s in the hands of the writers and producers, and that’s the fate that many characters face in this genre.”
She continued: “Basically, the message is, no one’s safe. These types of deaths often drive the story for other characters. It’s part of the genre, part of the narrative technique, and I just have to come to terms with it and continue my work.”
Although the plot twist lasted for four years, it was undone when Dickens made her return in 2022. Keep reading for more TV characters whose deaths or exits were reversed due to strong offscreen reactions:
Gates McFadden (‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’)
Introduced in season 1 as Dr. Beverly Crusher, Gates McFadden was initially written out and replaced by Diana Muldaur as Katherine Pulaski. However, Muldaur only lasted one season before McFadden returned in season three due to popular demand.
Patrick Duffy (‘Dallas’)
Patrick Duffy debuted as Bobby Ewing when the soap opera launched in 1978. Following his character’s death, Duffy exited for one year. However, backlash led to Bobby’s return, where he clarified that his death was just part of a dream.
John Goodman (‘Roseanne’)
To facilitate the revival of Roseanne, several plotlines were reversed, including Dan’s death. Goodman’s character was brought back with the explanation that any contradictory events were simply a dream.
Tom Selleck (‘Magnum P.I.’)
Tom Selleck’s character, Thomas, was nearly killed off at the end of season 7. However, that storyline was ultimately discarded, allowing him to survive into the eighth and final season.
Kim Dickens (‘Fear the Walking Dead’)
Kim Dickens was part of the main cast when Fear the Walking Dead premiered. Her character, Madison, was killed off in the midseason finale of season 4, but the show managed to bring Dickens back four years later.
