The season finale of “The Walking Dead” airs Sunday, March 30th and it is rumored that a cast member of the series is expected to die in the episode.
But, did you know that there were four other characters that were suppoed to die earlier in the series but were saved by producers?
#1 Carol
According to the The Walking Dead graphic novels, the character Carol was supposed to kill herself early on in the series. But, looking outside of the graphic novels. Carol was originally supposed to die in the season three episode, “The Killer Within,” along with Lori. In that episode, T. Dog was actually supposed to live. However, Melissa McBride lobbied for her character to stay on the series, and the writers switched who died at the last minute, killing T-Dog instead.
#2 Hershel
Hershel was actually supposed to die at the end of season two, along with Dale and Shane. In the episode “Better Angels,” he was supposed to be killed by Randall when Randall and his crew were taken hostage by Rick. However, the executive producer Glen Mazzara felt that it was just too much violence for end of the season, and that too many series regulars would be killed. So, Hershel’s life was spared.
#3. Jimmy
Beth’s season two boyfriend, who was not really a big deal in the series was supposed to die in “Judge, Jury, and Executionar”. It was originally written tha Dale, who actually did die in that episode, went out into the field and saw a dead cow, it was supposed to be a zombiefied Jimmy instead of a cow. The writers made a last minute decision and spared Jimmy, he would die two episodes later when he was devoured by zombies in the RV.
#4 Shane
Shane was to die at the end of the first season instead of the second season finale. However, AMC only ordered six episodes for the first season instead of the 10 or 13 expected. So, Shane’s death ended at the end of the second season as not to rush it.
BONUS: Dale was killed earlier than expected
Dale had not originally been scheduled to die as early as he did in the series. However, after his close friend Frank Darabont was fired as a showrunner, the actor who played dale, Jeffrey DeMunn, asked to be killed off. DeMunn would later have a change of heart, but his death had already been scripted and budgeted for, so his request to continue on the series was denied.
