9-1-1 wasn’t the only show that killed off a major character in 2025 — and many of those fictional deaths still have fans upset.
The ABC drama threw Us for a loop when an April episode ended with Peter Krause‘s Bobby being secretly infected with a rare and fatal virus. As viewers coped with the shocking exit, Krause shared an emotional letter about the shakeup.
“In October 2017, through him, we began tackling topics such as grief, guilt, anger and addiction while exploring his relationship with a higher power, forgiveness and grace,” he wrote via X at the time. On his path of healing, we watched him join and embrace both his new family at the firehouse and his new family with Athena Grant where he found love and acceptance. We also had plenty of fun along the way. It was a joy.”
Krause described Bobby’s death as a major “loss.”
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“I’ve heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be. It is a loss. That said, it was more than a bold creative choice on a bold show. Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice and he was built for this,” he continued. “First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them. We at 911 salute all the incredible men and women who do these dangerous jobs and strive to keep us safe.”
Bobby’s exit on 9-1-1 came after Showtime’s Yellowjackets had a brutal third season with multiple major deaths. The same thing happened on Paramount+’s 1923, which ended its second season with more than a handful of character’s passing away on screen.
Keep scrolling for the most heartbreaking TV deaths in 2025 so far:
Joel (‘The Last of Us’)
Pedro Pascal played the role of fan-favorite surrogate father Joel Miller since the show’s 2023 inception. He died by the hands of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in the season 2 episode titled “Through the Valley,” which premiered on April 20.
Bobby (‘9-1-1’)
After being on the show since it premiered in 2018, 9-1-1 killed off Krause’s character during the two-part “Contagion” event in April when Bobby contracted a rare and deadly virus following a massive lab explosion.
Cap (‘Ransom Canyon’)
James Brolin‘s cowboy character died in the season 1 finale of Ransom Canyon after a heart attack.
Mari (‘Yellowjackets’)
The season 3 finale connected back to the pilot by showing the hunt for Pit Girl a.k.a Mari (Alexa Barajas). After trying to escape her teammates, who were trying to kill and eat her, Marie fell into the pit trap.
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Van (‘Yellowjackets’)
Lauren Ambrose’s Van was fatally stabbed in the heart by adult Melissa (Hilary Swank) in the penultimate episode during season 3.
Chelsea and Rick (‘The White Lotus’)
In the April season finale, Rick briefly found peace with his decision not to kill Sritala (Lek Patravadi)’s husband to avenge his late father. He did ultimately murder Jim (Scott Glenn) — who turned out to be his father — and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) got stuck in the crossfire.
Rick tried to get Chelsea medical help but Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) killed him while protecting Sritala. The duo died together in the pond at The White Lotus resort.
Coach Ben Scott (‘Yellowjackets’)
Ben (Steven Krueger) being at odds with the girls in the past timeline ultimately made him realize he was out of options in the wilderness. He asked Natalie (Sophie Thatcher) in a March episode to put him out of his misery. Natalie refused until he went on a hunger strike, so she decided to stab him in the chest to spare him a slow death.
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Alex and a Bunch of Other Characters — and Horses (‘1923’)
The second season of 1923 was a bloodbath week to week but in the finale Spencer’s (Brandon Sklenar) wife, Alex (Julia Schlaepfe), died in the hospital after complications from hypothermia and frostbite.
Lottie (‘Yellowjackets’)
After previously having visions of a mysterious staircase, adult Lottie (Simone Kessell) was found dead at the start of season 3 in February. A season-long mystery revealed that Shauna’s (Melanie Lynskey) daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins) was at fault.
