Summary
Some actors have been known to criticize their own TV shows, especiallyTV shows that get worse as they continue. The fact is, Hollywood is a difficult and competitive business andactors may take roles to get their careers off the ground that they are not particularly proud of later on.However, it is also possible that the actor genuinely believed the show in question was worthwhile, but the writers took the story in directions they (and sometimes also the critics) didn’t approve of.
Things TV actors have criticized about their shows include bad messaging,their character’s arc going in a specific direction, or the inherent issues with the show going on for too long. This occasionally leads toactors quitting their massively successful TV shows, seemingly out of nowhere. On the other hand, there are some cases where an actor criticizing their TV show reflects bigger biases in the industry and is part of a much more serious behind-the-scenes controversy.
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Numerous television shows had to pivot after one or a few main characters left, and some series were worse off because of the character exits.
10Shailene Woodley
The Secret Life Of The American Teenager (2008-2013)
Before she became the star of young adult smash hits likeDivergentandThe Fault in Our Starsand Oscar-nominees likeThe Descendants,Shailene Woodley’s big thing wasThe Secret Life of the American Teenager.This drama series follows Amy, who gets pregnant early in high school and navigates the rest of her teenage experience after having her baby. Woodley signed a contract for the entire series at the beginning and never had the option to leave, although her criticisms seem to mostly pertain to the later seasons.
The show ultimately did not have a lasting impact on the cultural zeitgeist and was only successful in its own time.
Seven years after the show ended, Woodley revealed in an interview withBustlethat she disliked the show’s pro-abstinence and sex-shaming messages:
“When I signed onto Secret Life, I read [three] episodes and I signed a contract for six years. [Those episodes] all hit home. […] It felt like everything that I wanted to be sending into the world. […] There were a lot of things that were written into the scripts that not just me, but a lot of the cast, disagreed with. There were belief systems that were pushed that were different than my own. Yet legally I was stuck there.”
Woodley has at least become better known for her other roles, whileThe Secret Life of the American Teenagerhas faded into the past of teen dramas.The show ultimately did not have a lasting impact on the cultural zeitgeist and was only successful in its own time. Woodley, on the other hand, has reached the heights of blockbuster franchises and Oscar nominees.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a drama series that chronicles the life of Amy Juergens, a teenage girl who navigates the complexities of high school after an unexpected pregnancy. The show explores the impact of her situation on her family, friends, and romantic relationships, addressing various themes relevant to adolescence. It stars Shailene Woodley as Amy and ran from 2008 to 2013.
9Johnny Depp
21 Jump Street (1987-1991)
Hollywood legend has it thatJohnny Depp tried to get fired from21 Jump Streetby trashing his trailer, which he admitted to himself in the same interview where he criticized the show. One of the most popular teen idols in the business at the time,21Jump Streetwas glad to have Depp, but the feeling was not mutual.Depp eventually negotiated his way out to pursue roles that interested him, which was the beginning of the end for21 Jump Streetas a TV show.
In his interview withThe Telegraph(viaScreen Rant), Depp said of 21 Jump Street:“It started to get a little show-boaty, you know what I mean? It just started to become false. It started to become this action-packed can of soup, you know? You just market it, and send it out.“However,21 Jump Streetonce again became a pop culture hit when Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill led the comedy action movie.Depp even made a cameo in the21 Jump Streetmovieas his old character, apparently having retained some goodwill for the property.
21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street (1987) is a crime drama series featuring a team of young-looking police officers who go undercover in high schools to tackle issues such as drug abuse, crime, and other threats. Led by Captain Adam Fuller (Steven Williams) and starring Johnny Depp as Officer Tom Hanson, the series blends action and social commentary, reflecting the diverse challenges faced by teenagers.
8Lesley Manville
Citadel (2023-Present)
Lesley Manville’s character inCitadelis relatively removed from the action, as she plays a corrupt UK ambassador. Priyanka Chopra Jonas leads the show alongside Richard Madden as an action-ready spy duo.The violence ofCitadelis particularly what Maville took issue with,especially the broader implications of depicting violence against women. When asked about the violence in the show, Manville toldThe Guardian:
“I can’t watch violence. I don’t watch any. […] I hate it, basically. I get offended by it. I really think it’s bad news. People talk about Game of Thrones. I’ve never been able to watch it. Also, it’s pretty violent towards women. I really don’t want to see that.”
Manville also clarified that she hadn’t seen the final cut of Citadel, making this more of a broader criticism of what is seen on TV.Similar commentary from critics and fans aboutGame of Thronesled to less gratuitous violence inHouse of the Dragon,although it still intends to uphold the series' brutal world. On the other hand,Citadelseason 2is confirmed, with Manville returning along with the rest of the main cast.
Citadel
Citadel is a 2023 action-thriller series developed by the Russo Brothers. The narrative follows agents Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh, played by Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who work for a global spy agency intent on maintaining world stability. They must confront a new threat from a shadowy organization bent on global chaos. Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville co-star in this high-stakes, globe-trotting espionage drama.
7Harold Perrineau
Lost (2004-2006)
Lostfailed to wrap up a lot of mysteries in its final season, cementing its place in the cultural zeitgeist as a strange emblem of past popularity that is also ruthlessly picked apart. However,Harold Perrineau’s Michael gradually disappeared from the show, and the actor reported in an interview (originally from Maureen Ryan’s bookBurn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood) that he was fired for unjust reasons. While Perrineau was excited about the show’s premise at first, he said (viaTODAY.com):
“It became pretty clear that I was the Black guy. Daniel [Dae Kim] was the Asian guy. […] I don’t have to be the first, I don’t have to have the most episodes — but I’d like to be in the mix. But it seems like this is now a story about Jack and Kate and Sawyer. […] I was just asking for equal depth.”
Perrineau raised concerns about other storylines, namely the show not paying much attention to Walt being separated from his son. The actor said that he was told he wouldn’t be in season 3 because of his complaints. Meanwhile,other creatives who worked onLostreported similar racist practiceshappening behind the scenes. The showrunners denied the allegations and Perrineau’s reasoning for why he was mostly written out of the show.
Lost
Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.
6Jenna Ortega
Wednesday (2022-Present)
Jenna Ortega is set to return forWednesdayseason 2, and it is safe to say that the show revolves around her performance. However,Ortega took issue with some of the scripts and story decisions for season 1,saying that she sometimes became"almost unprofessional”(viaVanity Fair). Ortega seemingly did her best to politely point out things she didn’t think worked for the character:
“I’m aware of my position as an actor. I know that I’m not in charge….But I think with someone like Wednesday, who is in every scene, it only makes sense for that person to be that involved in what’s going on behind the scenes. […] Everything that she does, everything that I had to play, did not make sense for her character at all. Her being in a love triangle made no sense. There was a line about this dress that she has to wear for a school dance and she said, ‘Oh, my God, I love it. Ugh, I can’t believe I said that. I literally hate myself.’ And I had to go, ‘No, there’s no way’.”
Others have argued that one of theproblemsWednesdayseason 2 needs to overcomeis the needless romantic subplots when the focus should be on Wednesday’s friendships. However, the season 1 ending seems to set up continued interest between her and Xavier, who buys Wednesday a phone so she can keep in touch with her school friends. Fans will still have to wait a while for season 2, which will hopefully be a faithful homage to the original character.
Wednesday
Wednesday follows the journey of Wednesday Addams as she attends Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts. Tasked with mastering her psychic abilities, she confronts a series of town murders and a haunting family mystery from 25 years ago, all while managing new social dynamics.
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5Chevy Chase
Community (2009-2015)
Chevy Chase’s difficulties with the rest of theCommunityteam are well-documented. His most infamous comments were on Marc Maron’sWTFpodcast, whereChase said the show wasn’t"funny enough for [him], ultimately”(viaVariety):“I felt a little bit constrained. Everybody had their bits, and I thought they were all good. It just wasn’t hard-hitting enough for me.”Chase’s casually"good"but"not good enough"comments didn’t sit well withCommunityeither. His former co-star John McHale said that"no one was keeping [him] there"and that"the [feeling was] mutual.”
Chase’s additional comments that he"just felt happier being alone"suggest that he wasn’t much of a team player. Furthermore,Varietyreported that Chase was fired fromCommunityafter using a racial slur on set, while additional former co-star Donald Glover recounted Chase constantly making racist jokes while working. Ultimately, the rest of the cast and crew ofCommunityprobably didn’t think of Chase as a valuable co-worker and don’t care what he said about the show’s quality.
Community
Community is a comedic television series that chronicles the lives of diverse students at Greendale Community College, a fictional and notoriously underperforming educational institution in Colorado. Released in 2009, the show explores the quirky interactions and relationships among the eclectic group navigating their academic and personal challenges.
Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Isaac Hempstead Wright was more subtle in his criticism ofGame of Thronesand wisely didn’t say anything until after the final season. Regarding his character Bran Stark’s abrupt coronation in the final episode, Wright said (viaEsquire):“I genuinely thought it was a joke script and that [Benioff and Weiss] sent to everyone a script where their own character ends up on the Iron Throne. ‘Yeah, good one guys. Oh s**t, it’s actually real?'“Going into the final season,most people probably expected Daenerys or Jon or no one to end up on the throne.
Technically, Bran doesn’t sit on the Iron Throne because Drogon melts it down, but becomes king of Westeros.TheGame of Thronesfinale is, of course, infamous in pop culturefor introducing several wild plot twists that seemed to betray the characters rather than carrying their arcs to their natural conclusions. Bran becoming king is a strange way for his story to end, although the newly minted Six Kingdoms at least is now led by someone who spent the entire series accumulating more wisdom.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
3Blake Lively
Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
A lot of the originalGossip Girlactors have criticized the showor its work environment since it ended. The most notable example, aside from either Blake Lively or Leighton Meester, is Pen Badgley, who had this to say regarding the final reveal of his character being Gossip Girl (viaVanity Fair):“I was biding time a lot with Dan—I was not invested.“However, both of the two female leads did discuss their time onGossip Girl, characterizing the show and the set as not the most encouraging experience.
Indeed, Gossip Girl’s drama is pretty much driven by the spoiled teenagers constantly exhibiting harmful behavior.
Years afterGossip Girl, Lively said (viabackstage.com):“People loved it, but it always felt a little personally compromising—you want to be putting a better message out there.”Indeed,Gossip Girl’s drama is pretty much driven by the spoiled teenagers constantly exhibiting harmful behavior. Several of the romantic relationships are plain abusive, whilethe so-called best friends Blair and Serena are constantly stabbing each other in the back and hurting their other friends.Lively described it as“compromising,”and it is easy to see why.
Gossip Girl
Set in New York, 2021’s Gossip Girl chronicles the lives of a new generation of private school teenagers who navigate social dynamics and scandals. Through the pervasive influence of social media, their secrets are exposed, while the anonymous titular blogger reveals the complexities of their intertwined relationships.
2Angus T. Jones
Two And A Half Men (2003-2015)
Charlie Sheen was infamously fired fromTwo and a Half Menand replaced in the narrative by Ashton Kutcher’s character for the final four seasons. He is not the only major star to depart the show. Sheen’s former co-star Angus T. Jones played the child role, growing up on the set. Later,Jones expressed disgust forTwo and a Half Men,which he had come to see as unethical as he grew up and formulated his own adult worldview, largely influenced by his religion. Jones first said (viaThe Hollywood Reporter):
“If you watch Two and a Half Men, please stop watching Two and a Half Men. I’m on Two and a Half Men and I don’t want to be on it. Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. […] You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can’t.”
Jones also later said (viaPEOPLE):“It was making light of topics in our world that are really problems for a lot of people. I was a paid hypocrite because I wasn’t okay with it, but I was still doing it.“Angus quit the show after season 10, leaving Jon Cryer as the only member of the original triostill present in the story.Two and a Half Menconcluded two seasons later, despite having lost two of its main characters along the way.
Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men follows the Harper family: Charlie (Charlie Sheen), a womanizing, hedonistic jingle writer who enjoys his lazy lifestyle from the comfort of his large beach house; Alan (Jon Cryer), Charlie’s neurotic, far less successful brother; and Jake (Angus T. Jones), Alan’s impressionable son. When Alan’s marriage falls apart, he moves in with Charlie, much to the older brother’s dismay. After bonding with his nephew, Charlie reluctantly embraces Alan’s presence, paving the way for one of television’s most dysfunctional family environments.
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10 TV Shows That Tried To Keep Going After The Main Character Left
While a main character’s exit would presumably signal the end of a series, some TV shows tried to keep going after their protagonists left.
1Katherine Heigl
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
Katherine Heigl’s exit fromGrey’s Anatomyis also infamous in the cultural zeitgeist, stemming from ongoing tensions with the showrunners. There were rumors that the show was going to kill Izzie off that never saw the light of day. Ironically, if this had happened, Alex wouldn’t have been able to leave Jo for Izzie years later, which proved to be a divisive story decision. However, back in the day,Heigl was at the center of a huge controversy for allegedly rejecting an Emmy nomination forGrey’s Anatomy.
As she said then, her reasoning was (viaEntertainment Weekly):“I do not feel I was given the material this season to warrant a nomination.“Heigl only recently clarified that she simply did not submit herself for consideration, and that it was because the story surrounding Izzie was more dramatic the previous year. Heigl also didn’t like the way her character’s arc was going:“I really loved [Izzie]. I felt she was an admirable woman who certainly made mistakes. But I was starting to not like her, and that bothered me”(viausmagazine.com).
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
