These shows took a turn after a character left...
Michael Scott was the heart of The Office, so Steve Carell's departure after Season 7 was always going to leave a massive hole. The sitcom continued for two more seasons, but the focus shifted toward other employees and new characters, with Andy, Erin, Robert California, and others taking on larger roles. The workplace comedy was still good, but it was clear that the central dynamic was different. | © Universal Television
Elliot Stabler was one of the defining characters of Law & Order: SVU for its first 12 seasons. Christopher Meloni's departure from the role meant Olivia Benson became the show's undisputed central figure. The series continued for many years, but its character dynamics and emotional focus changed substantially. | © Wolf Entertainment/Universal Television
The original Aunt Viv, played by Janet Hubert, left The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air after three seasons due to reported creative differences and a difficult working relationship with Will Smith. Hubert was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid. The character remained, but the change in performance was noticeable enough that the show itself occasionally became the subject of discussion because of it. | © Hollywood Center Studios
Eric Forman was one of the central characters of That '70s Show, and his hilarious dynamic with the rest of the cast was electric. Sadly, Topher Grace departed after Season 7. The teen sitcom attempted to fill the void by introducing Charlie and giving Kelso a larger presence before Ashton Kutcher also left. Randy Pearson was eventually brought in as a new lead, but as a whole, the show had a noticeably different feel that didn't quite sit right with many. | © The Carsey-Werner Company
Troy Barnes was part of Community's beloved Troy-and-Abed duo, so Donald Glover's departure during Season 5 was a major blow to the show's chemistry. Troy's exit also fundamentally changed Abed, who had relied heavily on their back-and-forth friendship. Without Troy, the study group's dynamic also changed, since he was their resident jokester. | © Universal Television/Sony Pictures Television
Gina Linetti was one of the most distinctive characters on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, given her unique personality and rather eccentric humor. Chelsea Peretti departed the sitcom in Season 6, as she wished to pursue other creative projects. The series continued successfully, but the precinct's dynamic definitely changed without Gina's chaotic personality. | © Universal Television/Fremulon
The original run of Scrubs was built around John Michael "J.D." Dorian. Zach Braff quit the show after Season 8 to pursue film-writing, directing, and other creative projects. Naturally, this represented a major structural change to the show. Season 9 completely rebranded the show by moving the action to a medical school and introduced a mostly new group of characters. Although it was technically another season of Scrubs, the new cast and setting weren't received well by fans. | © Doozer/ABC Studios
Rick Grimes was the central protagonist of The Walking Dead for years, so Andrew Lincoln's departure in Season 9 due to personal reasons was one of the show's biggest turning points. After he left, the post-apocalyptic drama shifted much more attention toward characters such as Daryl, Carol, and Michonne. Its storytelling also became more ensemble-focused after Rick's exit. | © Skybound Entertainment/Valhalla Entertainment
The Crown took an unusual approach to cast changes by replacing its entire principal cast after every two seasons. Claire Foy's departure as Queen Elizabeth II after Season 2 marked the first major transformation, with Olivia Colman taking over the role. The changing actors allowed the series to jump forward in time and give the show a different performance style every few seasons. | © Sony Pictures Television/Left Bank Pictures
Derek Shepherd was a core character in the early days of Grey's Anatomy. That said, Patrick Dempsey's departure in Season 11 dramatically changed the series. His death also permanently altered Meredith Grey's personal story, as it forced her to move forward without the character who had been her longtime partner. The show subsequently leaned even more heavily into Meredith's career, family, and relationships with the newer generation of doctors. | © Shondaland
As controversial as he was outside of the show, Charlie Sheen's portrayal of the comedic Charlie Harper was what made Two and a Half Men such a fun watch. He was fired from the show after Season 8, following a series of public outbursts and personal struggles. Ashton Kutcher's Walden Schmidt became the new lead after Sheen's exit. Still, the show's entire premise, dynamics, and comedic style shifted considerably, which essentially changed it into a different version of the same sitcom. | © Chuck Lorre Productions/Warner Bros. Television
Fiona Gallagher was the emotional anchor of Shameless for much of its run, with Emmy Rossum playing the character from the beginning through Season 9. After Fiona left Chicago, the Gallagher family dynamic changed considerably. Lip, Ian, Debbie, and other characters took on more responsibility, but her presence was certainly missed. | © Warner Bros. Television/Showtime Networks
Mike Ross was central to Suits from the very beginning, with much of the show's original premise revolving around his secret lack of a law degree. Patrick J. Adams left after Season 7, which brought Mike's story with Rachel to an end as the couple moved to Seattle. The series continued with Harvey, Louis, Donna, and a new generation of characters, but it was evident that the dynamic between Mike and Harvey was missed. | © Universal Content Productions
Diane Chambers was one half of the central romantic dynamic in Cheers, so Shelley Long's departure after Season 5 was a major turning point. The show introduced Rebecca Howe, played by Kirstie Alley, as the new manager of the bar. After this, the Diane-Sam relationship was replaced by a very different dynamic, which allowed Cheers to evolve rather than simply trying to recreate its original formula. | © Paramount Television
Fox Mulder and Dana Scully shared one of the most iconic dynamics in TV history. So, it was a huge shame when David Duchovny left The X-Files after Season 7. John Doggett and Monica Reyes were introduced to help fill the investigative void alongside Scully. The series became more focused on its new characters, but the Mulder-Scully dynamic remained difficult to replicate. | © Ten Thirteen Productions/20th Century Fox Television
Some TV shows can survive losing a character, but occasionally the departure of one actor fundamentally changes what a series is about. That said, here are 15 TV shows where a major cast departure noticeably changed the series, its characters, or its overall identity.
