
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Outlander’s May 8 episode “Pharos.”
Outlander is bidding farewell to not one, but two characters.
In the May 8th episode of the Starz time-travel series, two characters—Percy Beauchamp, played by Michael Lindall, and Captain Richardson, played by Ben Lambert—were killed off. This episode was the last one before next week’s series finale.
In the May 8th episode, Lord John Grey (David Berry) was kidnapped by Richardson, who attempted to blackmail him into stopping his brother from giving a speech about war funding. Richardson hoped this would prevent the British from losing the Revolutionary War, but his plan failed because Lord John refused to cooperate.
Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and Claire Fraser (Caitríona Balfe) discovered a surprising truth while trying to save Grey: Richardson was also a time traveler. He wasn’t trying to help America win the Revolutionary War, but the British. Richardson believed this would ultimately lead to the earlier end of slavery, as he’d personally witnessed the horrors of the Civil War through his travels in time.
Following a heartfelt talk, Claire reluctantly agreed to release Richardson, but Grey immediately shot and killed him.
The second fatality came later in the episode after Grey was settled back home.
Grey confronted Percy and insisted he sign a statement admitting his role in Richardson’s kidnapping and also denying any romantic relationship with Grey.

Percy agreed to sign the document to conceal their relationship, which protected Grey from harm. However, he later died by suicide using a shotgun.
As for what fans can expect from the upcoming series finale?
“It will be a very emotional experience,” Sam Heughan’s co-star Caitríona Balfe shared in a recent interview with Elle, published on May 8th. She didn’t offer any further details.

It was a moving moment for both the show’s fans and the actress herself. She and Sam Heughan have worked closely together since the series began in 2014.
Looking back, the reality of finishing the show didn’t truly sink in until the very last day of filming,” Balfe shared. “Sam and I were doing a lengthy, seven-page dialogue scene as Jamie and Claire in their bedroom, and as we delivered the lines, it struck us that everything we were saying had a deeper meaning – it was a way of saying goodbye to the characters, to the experience, and to each other.
The last episode of Outlander will air on Starz on May 15th. Before then, check out some surprising departures from other popular TV series.
It was a moving moment for both the show’s fans and the actress herself. She and Sam Heughan have worked closely together since the series began in 2014.
I didn’t fully realize what was happening until our very last day of filming,” Balfe recalled. “The final scene Sam and I shot, a long seven-page dialogue in Jamie and Claire’s bedroom, felt incredibly poignant. The lines we were saying had layers of meaning, reflecting both what our characters were experiencing and our own goodbyes to the show and the entire experience.
The last episode of Outlander will air on Starz on May 15th. Before then, check out some surprising departures of other popular TV actors from their shows.

Bridget Regan, who plays Monica Stevens on The Rookie, revealed her character has a knack for survival. Regan told TV Insider that over the show’s four seasons, Monica has repeatedly escaped attempts on her life, gone to prison, and even survived being thrown into a woodchipper.
When the lawyer character died in an episode airing in April 2026, Regan said she wasn’t shocked. ‘It felt right,’ she explained. ‘She’d been on the show for four incredible years, and I’m just really grateful for the experience.’

Following her success on Dancing With the Stars and a leading role in Chicago on Broadway, the performer from Utah has announced that the upcoming fifth season of the popular Hulu reality show will be her last. She is pursuing new career opportunities.

Samira Mohan is leaving the show The Pitt. According to Variety, actress Supriya Ganesh will also not be back for the third season of the HBO Max drama.
Fans aren’t surprised by the character’s departure, as it’s been established that Ganesh was planning to move to a new hospital for a residency program.

In a March 2026 episode, the show said farewell to Director Leon Vance, portrayed by Rocky Carroll, after 18 years with the character, who first appeared in season five. The 500th episode featured Vance’s death in a shootout with a dishonest agent, and a touching scene where he was greeted in heaven by the late Donald “Ducky” Mallard, played by Adam Campbell.

As a lifestyle expert, I know fans were really surprised back in 2025 when Mehcad Brooks announced he was leaving his role on the long-running NBC crime drama before the start of its twenty-fifth season. It was definitely unexpected!
Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.

After almost 20 years playing Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman on the medical drama, Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver surprised fans by announcing they’ll be leaving after the season 22 finale on May 7, 2026.

Jenna Lyons has confirmed she won’t be back for season 16 of The Real Housewives of New York City.
The rumors are true,” former J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons confirmed on Instagram on November 21st. She explained that she was asked to join season 16 of RHONY as a ‘friend of,’ and they both agreed this was a good fit since she wasn’t comfortable sharing much of her personal life on camera.
The fashion icon, who started on the Bravo show in 2022 for its fourteenth season, said she eventually decided she didn’t want to be just a supporting player.
After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to return to the show,” she explained. “I’d be the oldest and only openly gay woman participating, and I think it’s a good chance for something fresh to happen with a new cast member.

After nine seasons, the A-list realtor is done selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show.
In November, Chrishell shared on social media that she no longer needs the show for income. She explained she’s fortunate to have other work and that continuing with the show was negatively affecting her mental well-being.

Jax Taylor has said he won’t be back for season three of The Valley. This decision comes after viewers expressed concerns about his actions during the show’s second season.
As a longtime fan, it was really good to hear Jax say in July 2025 that he’s prioritizing what’s most important right now: getting and staying sober, taking care of his mental health, and being a good coparent to Cruz. He explained that he needs this time to really work on himself, and honestly, that’s amazing to hear – especially knowing how much he wants to be the best dad possible for his little boy.

Several cast members from Saturday Night Live recently announced they won’t be back for the show’s 51st season, with the news coming within a short period of time for each of them.
Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.

Following the departures of Longfellow, Walker, and Wakim from Saturday Night Live, two more popular cast members, Gardner and Nwodim, announced they wouldn’t be back for the show’s 51st season. Gardner had been with the show for eight seasons, and Nwodim for seven.

Oh my gosh, I’m still reeling! Sofia Mattsson, my absolute favorite, left General Hospital as Sasha Gilmore back in the summer of 2025. Seven years! It feels like a lifetime of watching her, and now she’s gone to Paris with the character. I’m so sad to see her go, but I hope she’s happy and thriving in a new chapter, even if it’s not on my screen anymore!

Tracy Ifeachor, who starred in the popular HBO Max series The Pitt, decided to leave after its successful first season.
The actress shared on Instagram on July 10th how honored she was to play Dr. Heather Collins in what she described as a truly innovative season of the show. She also expressed gratitude to viewers for watching, supporting the first season, and sharing their personal experiences with her.

Even though fans likely expected Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, to die – his fate in the show closely mirrored the events of the 2020 video game The Last of Us Part II which season two is based on – the shocking way his character was killed still came as a surprise.
Pascal, known for dying in roles on shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t surprised by his character’s fate. He jokingly told Entertainment Weekly that he’s used to it, saying, “I like to die.”

Following what he called a “wild adventure,” Peter Krause finished his run as Captain Bobby Nash on the drama series 9-1-1 in an episode airing in April 2025.
As a huge fan, I was really moved by what the creator, Krause, said about Bobby Nash. He explained that Bobby’s entire character was designed to represent the ultimate sacrifice – the kind first responders make every day. It’s not just a plot point; it’s a way to honor those heroes and everything they do for us, letting them know their bravery isn’t unseen. It really resonated with me knowing his story was built with that intention.
The decision to kill off a popular, yet troubled, firefighter was definitely controversial, showrunner Tim Minear told Variety. He explained that after eight seasons, it was necessary for the show to have real consequences in future storylines, and that meant someone had to die.

Summer just got a little less fun.
As a huge fan, I was so surprised to hear that Paige DeSorbo is leaving Bravo after seven amazing seasons! She announced it back in June 2025, and honestly, I’m going to miss her so much on the show.
After sharing seven summers with you all, I’m so thankful for the memories, the support, and everything this journey has given me,” the Giggly Squad podcast host announced on Instagram. “But it’s time to move on to new things, just as all good stories eventually come to an end.

The popular Netflix show won’t have the French actress in its fifth season, which is set to come out in April 2025. She has confirmed she won’t be returning.
In an Instagram post on April 23rd, the actress announced she’s leaving Emily in Paris. She shared photos with her former co-stars and described her time on the show as a fantastic experience full of growth, creativity, and cherished memories.

Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she will no longer be part of the show.
She shared on social media in July 2023 that the show College Girls brought her to Los Angeles and connected her with many of her closest friends. She added that after two and a half years, it’s also given her a wonderful community of fans like you.
Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s creators, also confirmed that Reneé Rapp is leaving. She shared on Instagram that they’re sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s upcoming music tour, adding how much they love her.

After over a year of speculation, Kevin Costner confirmed in June 2024 that he won’t be returning for the final season of the popular Paramount drama, following his departure after four and a half seasons.

In February 2023, Ellen Pompeo finished her run as Meredith Grey on the ABC drama after playing the role for 19 years.
Pompeo said on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she needed to try new things. She explained that at 53, her mind felt a bit scattered, and she couldn’t keep doing the same routine – like completing The New York Times crossword puzzle daily. Despite this, she’s already returned to the show as a guest and continues to narrate the series.
But she’s not gone for good. Pompeo still pops in and out of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Henry Cavill, known for playing Superman and Batman, has announced he’s leaving the Netflix series The Witcher after its current season. Liam Hemsworth will take over the role of Geralt starting with season four and will likely continue in the role for future seasons.
In an October 2022 Instagram post, Henry Cavill announced that after playing Geralt of Rivia, he would be stepping down from his role for Season 4, putting aside his medallion and swords.

Jesse Lee Soffer, an original cast member, left the show in 2022 after playing Detective Jay Halstead for ten seasons.
As someone who’s spent years observing the dedication behind successful TV shows, let me tell you, creating an hour-long drama week after week is truly a passion project for everyone involved. After my last episode on October 5th, I can honestly say I’m incredibly proud of my time playing Detective Jay Halstead. It was a labor of love, and I’ll always cherish the experience.

After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime’s Billions in Oct. 2021.

As a lifestyle expert, I remember when the news broke in August 2021 that Emily VanCamp had decided to leave her role on The Resident. It was a bit of a surprise to fans, as she’d played a key role on the show, but she ultimately decided it was time to hang up her stethoscope and move on to new projects.

Madeleine Mantock, who played Macy on the CW’s Charmed reboot, decided to leave the show after three seasons. She announced her departure in 2021, calling the role a great honor and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, and cast and crew, with whom she enjoyed working.

Elizabeth Keen will never learn the truth about Raymond Reddington. Actress Megan Boone decided to leave NBC’s The Blacklist after season eight, and her character was killed off before she could read a crucial letter revealing everything. Boone announced the end of her time as Liz in 2021 with an Instagram post, calling the experience “a dream.”

The second season of Bridgerton didn’t include Regé-Jean Page, who became a fan favorite in the first season of the popular Netflix drama. Fans were disappointed when it was announced in 2021 that he wouldn’t be returning.
He told Vanity Fair that he simply did the work he signed up for, and then took on additional assignments. “That’s all there is to it,” he said. “I wish there was a more exciting story behind it.”

Ruby Rose first appeared as Batwoman (Kate Kane) in a 2018 Arrowverse event and then led the CW’s Batwoman series for one season. This was a historic moment, as she became the first openly lesbian superhero to star in her own show. However, Rose announced her departure from the series just two days after the first season ended in 2020. In season two, Javicia Leslie took over the role, playing a new character named Ryan Wilder who becomes the new Batwoman.
Later on in season two, Kate got a bit of a face swap and returned played by Wallis Day.

America Ferrera left the show Superstore after its fifth season in 2020, which meant Cloud 9 lost its manager and the series lost a main character. Because of the pandemic, she made a brief appearance in the first two episodes of season six. When season six was decided to be the show’s last, she came back for the finale to give her character, Amy, and Jonah (Ben Feldman) a satisfying conclusion.

In the 2019 finale of the Syfy series The Magicians, Jason Ralph’s character, Quentin, successfully rescued Eliot (played by Hale Appleman) but died in the process. Although the show often deals with death, Ralph did not reprise his role for the show’s fifth and final season.
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2026-05-08 19:19