TV shows that survived after an important character left the series

[caj]

Sometimes a popular character is written out of a show due to the actor leaving, for storyline purposes, or unfortunately the actor dies.

What are some tv show that continued to prosper after an important or favorite character leaves the series.

An example would be Charlie's Angels which continued for four more years after the departure of super-popular Jill Monroe played by Farrah Fawcett Majors.

[MRP]

M*A*S*H survived several major characters leaving-Trapper John, Col. Henry Blake, Frank Burns, Radar O'Reilly and kept chugging along either bringing in new characters to replace them-BJ Honeycutt, Col. Potter, Charles Emerson Winchester III, or evolving existing characters to fill their role (Klingar becoming company clerk).

-M

[Osiris-Rex]

Three's Company after Suzanne Somers was fired for wanting more money.

[MRP]

Bewitched had two Darrens, not quite the same but a recasting could have killed audience interest.

-M

[MRP]

NCIS has also had several characters leave and kept chugging along-Ziva David, Abby, Anthony DiNozzo, Ducky...

Two and a Half Men went on for a while after Charlie Sheen exited.

Cheers kept on keeping on after Shelly Long's Diane left and Coach passed.

Happy Days lasted for 3 more seasons after Ron Howard's Richie Cunningham left.

-M

[Osiris-Rex]

I guess we could say Supergirl after Calista Flockhart left the show.

[ed2962]

Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family the show was originally a vehicle for star Valerie Harper. She left the show, but the producers were able to successfully carry on four more seasons without the main character.

[Osiris-Rex]

Speaking of that, in the Rosanne revival after Rosanne Barr was fired the show has gone on as The Conners.

[Powerboy]

The Andy Griffith Show went on for three more seasons after Barney Fife was gone and even had two of its three seasons at Number One after.

[Powerboy]

M*A*S*H survived several major characters leaving-Trapper John, Col. Henry Blake, Frank Burns, Radar O'Reilly and kept chugging along either brining in new characters to rpelace them-BJ Honeycutt, Col. Potter, Charles Emerson Winchester III, or evolving existing characters to fill their role (Klingar becoming company clerk).

-M

Yes M*A*S*H was the king of not only surviving the loss of characters but actually bringing in new characters that made the show even better.

[marshal88]

beauty and the beast , the narration for the intro changed after the death of catherine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5KpSjY6tsE

grey's anatomy has a long history of cast characters dying/moving and they still keep going

[TriggerWarning]

There isn't a single character left on the Walking Dead who appeared in the first episode. Only two characters, Darryl and Carol, who appeared in season one. You have to go clear to season 3 to find the next which is Judith when she is born but I wouldn't really count her as she wasn't much more than a prop until the last two seasons and obviously played by different child actors of varying age.

The X-Files kept going after David Duchovny and then Gillian Anderson left.

[Osiris-Rex]

Gunsmoke after Dennis Weaver left the show after 9 years of playing Deputy Chester B. Goode. Gunsmoke lasted another 11 seasons.

[caj]

Three's Company after Suzanne Somers was fired for wanting more money.

Plus, the Ropers had left the season before as well.

[ChrisIII]

ER lasted quite a while after Clooney left.


CSI lasted for half a decade without Grissom, however it really started to struggle after Marg Helgenberger left.