10 Actors Who Asked for Their Characters to Be Written Out

10 Actors Who Asked for Their Characters to Be Written Out

Sometimes, actors decide they need to move on from a role that made them famous.

Whether they want to try new projects, deal with personal issues, or simply feel ready for a change, leaving a popular show can be a tough choice.

Here are ten actors who took control of their careers by asking writers to end their characters’ stories.

1. Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper in ‘The O.C.’

Fame hit Mischa Barton fast when she played Marissa Cooper on the hit teen drama.

The pressure became too much for the young actress, who felt overwhelmed by constant media attention and the demands of being a television star.

She approached producers and asked them to write her character out of the show.

Marissa’s dramatic death in a car accident shocked fans everywhere.

The exit allowed Barton to step away from the spotlight and focus on her mental health.

While the show continued for one more season, many viewers felt the series lost its heart when Marissa left.

2. Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley in ‘Downton Abbey’

After three successful seasons on Downton Abbey, Dan Stevens wanted to explore different acting opportunities.

Playing Matthew Crawley had brought him international recognition, but he felt ready to challenge himself with new roles.

He requested to leave the period drama, even though his character was central to the storyline.

Writers killed Matthew off in a shocking car crash right after his son was born.

The sudden departure left fans heartbroken and changed the show’s direction completely.

Stevens went on to star in movies and other television projects, proving his decision opened doors to diverse roles.

3. Kal Penn as Dr. Lawrence Kutner in ‘House’

Kal Penn made an unusual career move when he left House to work in politics.

President Obama offered him a position in the White House Office of Public Engagement, which was an opportunity Penn couldn’t refuse.

He asked the show’s creators to write out Dr. Kutner so he could serve his country.

The character’s sudden suicide shocked both fans and the other characters on the show.

This unexpected exit fit the show’s dark themes while allowing Penn to pursue meaningful work outside Hollywood.

His decision showed that actors sometimes leave successful shows for causes bigger than entertainment.

4. Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Patrick Dempsey spent eleven seasons playing the beloved Dr. McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy.

After more than a decade in the role, he felt it was time to move forward with his life and career.

He approached showrunner Shonda Rhimes about leaving the medical drama that had made him a household name.

Derek died in a heartbreaking car accident that left fans devastated.

The exit changed the entire show, as his relationship with Meredith Grey had been the series’ emotional core.

Dempsey later pursued his passion for race car driving and took on various film projects.

5. Steve Carell as Michael Scott in ‘The Office’

Steve Carell brought Michael Scott to life for seven hilarious seasons on The Office.

When his contract ended, he chose not to renew it because he wanted to focus on his movie career.

Rather than negotiating to stay, Carell decided it was the perfect time to say goodbye to Dunder Mifflin.

Michael’s farewell episode was emotional and perfectly captured the character’s growth.

He left Scranton to move to Colorado with his fiancée, giving fans a happy ending.

The show continued for two more seasons, but many viewers felt it was never quite the same without Carell’s comedic genius.

6. Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Katherine Heigl’s relationship with Grey’s Anatomy became complicated after she criticized the show’s writing publicly.

She withdrew her name from Emmy consideration, claiming the material wasn’t good enough.

Tensions grew between Heigl and the producers, leading her to request an exit from the series.

Izzie left Seattle Grace Hospital to start a new life elsewhere.

The departure wasn’t as dramatic as some other character exits, leaving the door open for a possible return.

Heigl’s decision was controversial, and she later admitted regretting how she handled the situation with the show’s creator.

7. Topher Grace as Eric Forman in ‘That ’70s Show’

Topher Grace was ready to move beyond his basement hangout after seven seasons.

Playing Eric Forman had launched his career, but he wanted to transition into film roles before being typecast.

He asked producers to let him leave the sitcom, even though he was the main character.

Eric moved to Africa to teach, which explained his absence in the final season.

The show struggled without its central character, and ratings dropped significantly.

Grace went on to star in movies like Spider-Man 3, though his film career had mixed results compared to his television success.

8. Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene in ‘The Walking Dead’

Lauren Cohan wanted to pursue other projects after playing Maggie Greene for eight seasons.

Contract negotiations became difficult, and she wasn’t satisfied with the terms offered.

Rather than continue unhappily, Cohan requested a reduced role that would allow her to star in a new ABC series.

Maggie left for a new community called Georgie’s group, which kept her alive but off-screen.

This departure gave Cohan flexibility to explore other opportunities while keeping the door open.

She eventually returned to The Walking Dead for its final season, showing that sometimes exits don’t have to be permanent.

9. McLean Stevenson as Lt. Colonel Henry Blake in ‘M*A*S*H’

McLean Stevenson believed he could become a bigger star if he left M*A*S*H after three seasons.

He wanted to lead his own show rather than being part of an ensemble cast.

Stevenson asked producers to write out Henry Blake, confident that his career would take off.

Henry’s death in a plane crash remains one of television’s most shocking moments.

The decision to kill the character rather than transfer him made a powerful anti-war statement.

Unfortunately, Stevenson’s subsequent shows all failed, and he later regretted leaving such a successful series for projects that never matched M*A*S*H’s quality.

10. Shelley Long as Diane Chambers in ‘Cheers’

Shelley Long played the sophisticated Diane Chambers for five seasons before deciding to focus on movies.

She felt limited by television and wanted to become a film star.

Long requested to leave Cheers, even though her character’s relationship with Sam Malone was the show’s main attraction.

Diane left Boston to pursue writing, ending her on-again, off-again romance with Sam.

The show successfully continued for six more seasons with a new female lead.

Long’s movie career never reached the heights she hoped for, and Cheers remained her most memorable role despite her attempts to move beyond it.