Have you ever shed a tear during a character’s demise, only to find out later it was the actor’s call?
From iconic sci-fi heroes to beloved heartthrobs, some actors decide it’s time for their characters to boldly face the final frontier… even if that frontier happens to be a gurney in a hospital drama.
This article dives into the surprising stories behind actors like Dean Norris, DEA agent Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, who requested their characters meet their on-screen demise.
We will explore their reasons, the impact on the shows, and why sometimes, saying goodbye can be the most powerful move of all.
Andrew Lincoln – Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead)
Andrew Lincoln actually had a specific request for his character’s eventual demise.
This came as a surprise to some, as Rick Grimes had become a central figure in the show’s narrative.
Lincoln expressed his desire for Rick’s death scene back in 2014, years before his actual departure from the series.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he revealed his ideal send-off: Rick going down at the hands of a child.
This wasn’t just a random thought; Lincoln explained the reasoning behind his request.
In the harsh world of the zombie apocalypse, children can be forced to grow up fast and make difficult choices.
Having a child be the one to take out Rick would highlight the brutal realities of this environment and the potential for innocence to be lost.
There was another interesting detail to Lincoln’s request.
He also expressed his hope that the show would play Johnny Cash’s version of the song, Hurt, during the credits sequence following Rick’s death.
While the showrunners couldn’t guarantee fulfilling that specific wish, Lincoln’s comment added another layer to his vision for Rick’s final moments.
Cash’s rendition of Hurt is a poignant and melancholic song, perfectly capturing the themes of loss and struggle that permeate The Walking Dead.
Harrison Ford – Han Solo (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
Contrary to popular belief, Harrison Ford wasn’t necessarily tired of playing Han Solo.
He actually believed the character could have a stronger impact on the story by sacrificing himself.
This desire to see Han die heroically stretched back much further than Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Ford reportedly expressed this wish as early as Return of the Jedi.
He felt Han’s journey from a self-serving smuggler to a selfless hero would be best served by a dramatic death scene.
This would raise the stakes for the audience, as no character would be truly safe.
Additionally, Ford might have felt there wasn’t much more room for Han to grow as a character.
It wasn’t until The Force Awakens that things finally aligned with Ford’s vision.
Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, who previously worked on both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, also believed Han’s death could be powerful for the story.
In The Force Awakens, Han’s sacrifice not only fulfilled Ford’s long-held request, but also served the narrative by highlighting the growing threat of Kylo Ren, who is later revealed to be Han and Leia’s son.
This tragic event becomes a turning point for both Kylo Ren and the new generation of heroes.
Patrick Dempsey – Derek Shepherd (Grey’s Anatomy)
While there’s no public record of Patrick Dempsey explicitly requesting Derek Shepherd’s death in Grey’s Anatomy, there are reports suggesting his desire to move on likely led to the character’s demise.
According to some accounts, Dempsey felt the show’s demanding schedule was taking a toll on his personal life.
This, coupled with rumors of behind-the-scenes tension, made it clear he was ready for a change. Shonda Rhimes, the show’s creator, made the narrative decision to write Derek out.
The manner of his departure – a car accident followed by complications – was a shocking twist for fans, but it served as a permanent conclusion to Derek’s storyline.
Sophie Turner – Sansa Stark (Game of Thrones)
Sophie Turner, the actress who portrayed Sansa Stark in the popular HBO series Game of Thrones, had an interesting wish for her character’s fate.
Unlike many actors who might hope their characters survive until the very end, Turner expressed a desire for Sansa to die in a dramatic and memorable way.
This wasn’t because Turner disliked playing Sansa, but rather because she felt a fitting end for the character should involve a powerful death scene.
Turner’s reasoning stemmed from the brutal and unforgiving nature of Westeros, the fantasy world where Game of Thrones takes place.
The series is famous for the saying “Valar morghulis,” High Valyrian for “all men must die.”
In this context, Turner felt that a character who had endured so much suffering and loss like Sansa deserved a death scene that reflected the harsh realities of the world and showcased her growth as a character.
It’s important to note that Turner’s desire for Sansa’s death wasn’t entirely serious.
Interviews with Turner suggest a playful and perhaps even slightly morbid sense of humor behind her request.
However, it did highlight her commitment to giving Sansa a strong and impactful ending, even if it meant the character’s demise.
Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley (Allen 3)
While it might seem like Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, directly requested her own demise in Alien 3, that’s not quite the case.
In reality, Weaver, the actress portraying Ripley, advocated for the character’s death.
There are two main reasons behind this decision.
Firstly, Weaver felt Ripley’s story had reached a natural conclusion.
After enduring horrific encounters with Xenomorphs in both Alien and Aliens, Ripley emerged a hardened survivor.
Alien 3 throws her into yet another fight for survival, this time seemingly with no escape.
Weaver believed Ripley had been through enough trauma, and continuing the cycle wouldn’t do the character justice.
Secondly, Weaver reportedly heard about potential plans for an Alien vs. Predator crossover film.
Fearing the franchise might veer into a more exploitative direction, she saw killing Ripley as a way to ensure the character wouldn’t be involved in something she didn’t approve of.
So, while Ripley doesn’t explicitly ask to die in Alien 3, Weaver’s influence behind the scenes shaped the character’s fate.
It was a decision that sparked debate among fans, but it undeniably gave Ripley a tragic yet powerful ending.
Dean Norris – Hank Schrader (Breaking Bad)
Dean Norris, the actor who brought DEA agent Hank Schrader to life in Breaking Bad, lobbied for his character’s demise during the show’s final season.
This request stemmed from a scheduling conflict.
Norris had landed a role in a new comedy pilot, and the filming timelines threatened to overlap.
Seeing an opportunity, Norris approached show creator Vince Gilligan with a proposition.
He suggested that Hank could be written out in the first half of the final season, freeing him up for the comedy project.
However, Gilligan had other plans.
He politely declined, explaining that Hank’s character arc was far from over and was crucial for the show’s remaining episodes.
While Norris didn’t get his wish for an early exit, his request did highlight the delicate dance between an actor’s commitments and the creative vision of a show.
In this case, Gilligan prioritized the narrative he had crafted for Hank, ensuring the character’s fate would be a pivotal moment in Breaking Bad’s unforgettable conclusion.