30 Saddest TV Deaths That Hit Harder Than Expected

We have our reasons for gravitating toward a specific fictional character, whether it’s Ruth Langmore’s ferocity or Joey Tribbiani’s now-iconic pick-up line. But for some, these characters are a reflection of their own personalities. 

As University of Florida psychology professor Dr. Gregory Webster noted in a study, people tend to form parasocial relationships with their favorite characters because of the perceived shared personality traits they exhibit.

Everyone loves a good character arc, especially if it’s something they relate to. For Dr. Webster, it was easier to connect with the characters of HBO’s famed series Game of Thrones, despite their complexity. 

“There are no perfect good guys or perfect bad guys, and fairly likable heroes,” Dr. Webster said. “There are also a lot of characters that evolve over the series.”

Empathy is another driving force behind our attachment to these people who do not exist in real life. We connect with them on a profound level through shared experiences, and we are rooting for their success. 

“We’d have no way of processing a character cognitively if we didn’t have experiences with people outside of the fictional world,” University of Helsinki researcher Howard Sklar told the Motion Picture Association.

We’ve seen these characters in their most vulnerable states, whether it’s triumph, heartbreak, or tragedy. It then makes us feel like we have a strong, personal connection with them. 

"You see them in these intimate situations, and they’re probably already a beautiful person because they’re an actor, and they’re compelling,” Dr. Karen Dill-Shackleford told Refinery29.

Now, let’s flip this conversation. Which TV character's death affected you the most? Why do you think a fictional demise stirred emotions in you? We would love to hear your insights!