Whether it’s drama, comedy or something in between, TV show writers have never been afraid to surprise audiences with a memorable character death.

Back in March 1975, M*A*S*H became a TV death pioneer when Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) died in the season 3 finale. The character was headed home after being honorably discharged from the army, but before he could make it, he was killed by enemy fire.

Some 21st-century shows, however, make M*A*S*H‘s surprise death look tame.

Lost, which ran from 2004 to 2010, became known for its shocking twists before the first season was even finished. In the April 2005 episode “Do No Harm,” viewers were devastated when Boone (Ian Somerhalder) died after a plane fell on him in the jungle, and his passing was just the beginning.

Manifest, You, Game of Thrones and more hit series have also thrown fans for a loop by killing off fan favorites.

Scroll down for a look back at some of the most shocking deaths in TV history — and remember, spoilers ahead!

Michelle Williams broke her silence on the death of her former Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek.

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, recorded on Sunday, March 1, at SAG’s 2026 Actor Awards in Los Angeles, Williams, 45, spoke candidly about how Van Der Beek’s death has impacted her.

“I’m thinking about him and I’m thinking about his family constantly,” she told the outlet. Van Der Beek died at the age of 48 on February 11 following a battle with cancer.

Williams, who played Jen Lindley opposite Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery on the WB coming-of-age drama which ran from 1998 to 2003, also shared a message with the people who have contributed to the GoFundMe launched by Van Der Beek’s family in the wake of his death.

Related: GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s Family Raises More Than $2 Million

UPDATE — 2/13/26, 7:37 a.m. ET: The GoFundMe campaign has raised $2,125,661 by early Friday, February 13. Original story: The GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six kids has hit a huge milestone. As of the evening of Wednesday,  February 11, the GoFundMe campaign has surpassed the $1 […]

“I also just want to say, like, it’s been such an amazing thing as James’ friend and a friend of the family to see the response in the wake of his passing and I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who contributed to sustaining their life and their children’s lives,” she told the outlet, who shared the interview via its X account. “It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.”

Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed his death via social media on February 11. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” she said in a statement shared via Van Der Beek’s Instagram at the time. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

Later that day, the GoFundMe was launched in an effort to support Kimberley and her six children. “James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him,” a description on the GoFundMe page read. “After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026 leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children. Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care.”

At the time of publication, $2.75 million had been raised for the family, far surpassing the original listed goal of $1.5 million.

Williams’ Actor Awards appearance marked her first public outing since Van Der Beek’s death. She won the Actor award of Best Actress in a Limited Series for her work in FX’s Dying For Sex.

After Van Der Beek shared publicly in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, Williams told Entertainment Tonight in April 2025 that she was “in contact” with Van Der Beek and was there for him “in every and all ways.”

She later organised a Dawson’s Creek reunion, which Van Der Beek was unable to attend due to a stomach virus, in an effort to raise money for F Cancer. The actress shared via an August 2025 statement, “We grew up in Capeside and that’s a bond that will last a lifetime. We wanted to gather around our dear friend James and remind him that we are all here. We always have been and we always will be. And I know the fans of Dawson’s Creek feel the same way.”

The Dawson’s Creek cast is mourning the death of their costar James Van Der Beek following his death at age 48.

Van Der Beek’s family confirmed on Wednesday, February 11, that the actor, who portrayed the titular character on the hit ‘90s teen drama, had died following a battle with colorectal cancer.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared in a statement shared via his Instagram at the time. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

Van Der Beek announced his stage III colorectal cancer in November 2024. His Capeside Crew — including Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Kerr Smith and more — came together one year later in September 2025 for a one-night only Dawson’s Creek reunion to help raise money for F Cancer and Van Der Beek, performing a live reading of the show’s pilot at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.

“James and I were actually talking about [a reunion] back in April or May. We were doing a convention together out in, I think it was Pittsburgh, and he had mentioned that Michelle wanted to do this and put it together,” Smith, 53, exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2025 about how the reunion first came together. “So it’s Michelle’s baby, as far as I’m aware. She gets the credit. And I’m just glad she’s doing it, because it’s going to be fun to see all those guys. And when I was pitched, I’m like, ‘Of course, I’m in. This is fantastic.’ I mean, it helps, James.”

While Van Der Beek was ultimately not in attendance for the event, as he was forced to drop out last minute due to a stomach flu, Lin-Manuel Miranda stepped in to read the part of Dawson in his absence. The reunion sold out in 12 minutes, with tickets priced from $199 to $1,200, raising thousands of dollars for the cause.

Dawson’s Creek ran on The WB from 1998 to 2003 and followed Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery as he navigated the ups and downs of teenagehood alongside his on-and-off love interest Joey Potter (Holmes), best friend Pacey Witter (Jackson) and mysterious new neighbor Jen Lindley (Williams). Smith, Meredith Monroe, Busy Philipps, John Wesley Shipp and Mary-Margaret Humes also starred.

Following his death, the cast took to social media to honor the life of their longtime friend. Keep scrolling for every heartfelt tribute about Van Der Beek from the Dawson’s Creek cast:

Michelle Williams

“I’m thinking about him and I’m thinking about his family constantly,” Michelle Williams, who played Jen Lindley on the show, said during an interview with Entertainment Tonight on March 1.

Williams also expressed her gratitude to fans who had donated to the Van Der Beek family’s GoFundMe. “I also just want to say, like, it’s been such an amazing thing as James’ friend and a friend of the family to see the response in the wake of his passing and I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who contributed to sustaining their life and their children’s lives,” she told the outlet. “It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.”

Katie Holmes

“James, thank you. To share space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make-believe and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression…,” Holmes, 47, shared in an emotional handwritten letter posted via Instagram on Thursday, February 12. “These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a unique youth…”

“Bravery. Compassion. Selflessness. Strength. An appreciation for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a hero,” she wrote.

“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” said the actress. “To Kimberly and the children, we are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion,” Holmes concluded.

Kerr Smith

“I’m so grateful for being able to call James a brother,” Kerr Smith, who portrayed Jack McPhee on seasons 2 through 6 of the show, wrote via Instagram. I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.”

In another tribute shared via Instagram, Smith wrote, “To Kimberly and your beautiful children, James was so many things…brilliant, creative, wildly original, and completely himself in every room he walked into. Being around him meant thinking more deeply, laughing more freely, and feeling more awake to the world. He didn’t just create work. He created connection. He created laughter. He created moments that stay with you.”

He continued, “I cherish being his friend. For twenty-seven years, through different seasons of life, through different versions of ourselves. Our early years shaped me in ways I still carry, and now as adults gave that friendship even more depth and meaning. Sharing a life alongside his, in all its chapters, is something I will forever be grateful for.”

Smith also penned a message to Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly.

“Kimberly, he loved you deeply. And to his children…your father was extraordinary not only in what he accomplished, but in who he was. His mind, his heart, his generosity,” he concluded. “Rest easy James.”

Chad Michael Murray

“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” Chad Michael Murray, who played Charlie during Dawson’s Creek’s college years, wrote in the comments section of James’ Instagram. “James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys🙏.”

Busy Philipps

Philipps, who portrayed Joey’s roommate Audrey on Dawson’s Creek, shared an emotional tribute via Instagram. “My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister,” she wrote alongside throwback photos of the pair through the years. “But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children. There is a go fund me for them to help out and i’ll put the link in my stories. James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don’t know what else to say. i am just so so sad. He was my friend and i loved him and i’m so grateful for our friendship all these years.❤️.”

Mary-Margaret Humes

Mary-Margaret Humes, who played James’ mother on Dawson’s Creek, issued a social media tribute in honor of her late costar on February 11.

“Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception. James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity,” Humes wrote via Instagram. “I will always love and admire you for that. Our last conversations … merely a few days ago … are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping. To our extended Dawson’s Creek family of friends, please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now.”

‘Dawson’s Creek’

The official Instagram page for Dawson’s Creek issued a tribute following James’ death at 48.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek,” the social media statement read. “His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Sasha Alexander

Sasha Alexander played Pacey Witter’s older sister, Gretchen Witter, on season 4 of Dawson’s Creek, who eventually becomes Dawson’s girlfriend. “Just heartbroken,” she wrote in the comments section of Mary-Margaret Humes’ Instagram post. “I am so sorry for all of our losses. James was a beautiful soul and kind human. Prayers for his whole family.”

Alexander later shared an emotional tribute to Van Der Beek, uploading an Instagram post with a carousel of photos of the actor over the years, including ones from his time on Dawson’s Creek.

“It feels like yesterday that we were sitting beneath those pink Wilmington sunsets, filming during the beautiful Dawson’s Creek years.  What made Dawson special was the man who played him,” she wrote. “James was a deep, thoughtful soul. He took his work seriously, not out of ego, but out of care. He cared about being a good actor. He cared about doing things well and he never took any of it for granted.  But more than anything, he cared about people.  He cared about his family. He cared about showing up fully.”

Alexander shared that she was “heartbroken for everyone who loved him, especially his beautiful family” and added that she was holding them in her prayers.

“I will always be grateful that I got to stand in his light for a little while. That I got to laugh with him, go to prom with Dawson and grow up alongside him.  He will live on in our memories, and in the kindness he left behind,” she concluded. “Rest in Peace, my friend. 🤍”

Hal Ozsan

Hal Ozsan appeared on the final season of Dawson’s Creek as Todd Car, a film director mentor of James Van Der Beek’s character, Dawson.

“This morning my brother, James passed in his sleep. I do not have the words to express the grief. There will be a James sized hole in my heart for the rest of my life and I will never meet his like again,” Ozsan wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of his former costar. “James… there are so many things I could say about you, brother, but the truest, is that you always lived your life heart-first in everything you did. Which is why, when the time came, you left in a home that you built, surrounded by the love you made. We should all be so lucky. What a life. What a man. What a friend. No notes, brother. No notes.”

Kevin Williamson 

Kevin Williamson, who created Dawson’s Creek and served as showrunner for seasons 1 and 2 before returning to write the series finale, shared an emotional message to James Van Der Beek and his family. 

“With much love, we are here for you. Your Dawson’s Creek family will always be here for you and your beautiful family,” Williamson wrote via Instagram alongside photos with Van Der Beek over the years. “To everyone, thank you for your outpouring of love. It has been felt. Several times today, from my heart, I’ve tried to form the words to express the beautiful brilliance of James and what his presence has meant to my life. But I am truly at a loss for words. I will have to trust that one day those words will come… But today, all I can think about is Kimberly and the entire Van Der Beek family. My heart is with you. K.” 

John Wesley Smith

John Wesley Smith, who played Dawson’s dad, penned a lengthy tribute via Instagram.

“I try to pause before commenting when a painful event occurs in the lives of people to whom I have been close, out of an abundance of caution not to co-opt their personal pain and make it my own,” he wrote. “I am so glad to have met James Van Der Beek’s beautiful family at his DANCING WITH THE STARS competition in LA and most recently at the spectacular event, DAWSON’S CREEK ON BROADWAY last Fall. It is to them that my heart goes out at this moment, his beautiful wife, Kimberly, and family and their families and circle of closest friends.”

Meredith Monroe

Meredith Monroe, who played Andie McPhee, paid tribute to James Van Der Beek via a touching Instagram tribute and shared that “nothing seems right” after the actor’s death.

Explaining that she had been “flooded with fond memories” of her friendship with Van Der Beek over the years, Monroe praised the actor, listing several of his positive traits.

“Your legacy is your light. Whether 1 on 1, at a party, an event, or in your art you’ve always shared your light through: your humor & laughter, your curiosity, time & energy both in others & the world around you,” Monroe wrote alongside a carousel of throwback photos. She added, “Your ability to be completely present & make others feel welcome & comfortable, your sincerity, friendship, compassion & love.”

Michael J. Fox
Role in ‘Shrinking’ Bigger than Just a Job …
Reveals Inspiration

Published
March 1, 2026
4:41 PM PST

Kylie Kelce offered rare insight into her family life with husband, Jason Kelce, as the pair raise four daughters together.

During an appearance in Jennifer Garner’s Instagram video series “Naptime Cook Club,” shared by the actress on Sunday, March 1, Kylie, 33, was quizzed by Garner, 53, about how she copes day-to-day with “so many” children.

“Yeah, they just keep multiplying,” joked Kylie, who was dressed casually in denim jeans and a gray T-shirt. Garner, whose lighthearted social media series offers simple meal ideas for parents to prepare at home while their “kid is down for a nap,” then asked whether Kylie had any children of her own who still took a daily nap.

“We still have one napper,” Kylie said, pinpointing her youngest child, Finnley, 11 months. Kylie and Jason, 38, also share Bennett, 2, Elliotte, 4, and Wyatt, 5.

Related: Kylie Kelce Shares the ‘Underrated, Difficult Part’ of Parenting

Kylie Kelce misses “girl dinner” — and it’s all thanks to her four kids. “I would say that feeding your children is one of the most underrated, difficult parts of parenting,” Kelce, 33, shared on the Thursday, July 31, episode of her “Not Gonna Lie” podcast. “It’s difficult because, before I had children, I could […]

A surprised Garner then confirmed with Kylie, “Your two-year-old doesn’t nap?” to which the “Not Gonna Lie” podcast host replied, “No, she’s busy. She’s got things to do.”

Kylie also joked about her kitchen skills, revealing that she isn’t entirely polished with a knife in hand. “I watch so many cooking shows, including yours [Garner’s], that I am afraid that someone will see me with a knife,” Kylie said.

As the cooking tutorial continued, Garner noted that parents may like to get up in the morning and marinade meat for extended periods of time if they have their “act together,” which drew another humorous response from Kylie.

“I’ve never felt that in my whole life [but] go on, hypothetically,” she quipped before discussing the challenges she’s faced due to Wyatt’s fussy eating habits.

“I have one child who will, actually that’s a lie, two because one can’t talk, two children who will voluntarily eat something that is green,” Kylie began. “Our toughest eater was our oldest. Once Upon a Farm pouches were great because they are not a green color. They’re beautiful colors. I tried to explain to her, like, ‘You ate veggies. You used to’ and she’s like, ‘No I didn’t.’ I’m like, ‘No, I watched it, I actually bought it.’

While Kylie had previously kept her personal and family life out of the spotlight for the most part, her “Not Gonna Lie” interviews are allowing more frequent peeks into non-professional elements of her day-to-day activities and headspace.

During the February 12 episode, she even shared that she hoped to undergo breast augmentation surgery one day. “Really, my plan is, we’re gonna end up doing this,” Kylie said to a former college roommate during the show. “To be clear, there is a rough plan that eventually I will put my boobs back where they belong. Because four kids. That’s all I have to say about that.”

Kylie, who gave birth to Finnley in March 2025, continued at the time, “I’m gonna wait until they settle because if I did [a reveal] fresh out of surgery, [my friend] would be like, ‘I don’t know why they’re at your neck.’”

Martin Short
Doesn’t Attend Actors Awards After Daughter’s Death

Published
March 1, 2026
5:42 PM PST

Law Roach
Zendaya and Tom’s Wedding Already Happened …
Y’all Missed It!!!

Published
March 1, 2026
6:34 PM PST

Yellowstone‘s spinoff Marshals hinted at Monica’s shocking death — but what signs were pointing to Kelsey Asbille‘s absence?

The hit Paramount Network series introduced Us to Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica (Asbille), who remained at the center of the show. After initially being a teacher at a local school on the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, Monica went on to become a professor at Montana State University while weathering life with Kayce, who moved them back to the Yellowstone Ranch while figuring out a past divide with dad John (Kevin Costner).

Following John’s death, Kayce, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, became the new owner and operator of the Yellowstone Ranch. Kayce and Monica ended the show alive — and together — before Marshals checked back in on them.

According to the official synopsis, Y: Marshals, which premieres March 1, follows Kayce as he leaves “ranching life behind to join an elite unit” of the U.S. Marshals while “combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana, where he and his teammates must balance family, duty and the high psychological cost that comes with serving as the last line of defense in the region’s war on violence.”

Related: What Does Monica’s Absence From ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff Mean? Drama Explained

Kayce Dutton is getting his own Yellowstone spinoff, but all anyone can talk about is about how his wife, Monica, is missing from Marshals. Yellowstone, which premiered in 2018, introduced viewers to the fictional Dutton family, who own the largest ranch in Montana. When the show debuted, Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica’s (Kelsey Asbille) marriage […]

In addition to Grimes, the show stars Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, Tatanka Means, Brett Cullen and Logan Marshall Green. The sneak peeks have shown Kayce discussing new beginnings, skeletons in his closet and past trauma — while Monica is nowhere to be found.

“We definitely wanted to make sure to give it a real story and make it interesting and make it believable,” Grimes told People in June 2025 about Marshals. “If it was just like, ‘Well, he’s happy’ — we’re just going to watch him be happy? That’s not very cool. But I’ll say this, the idea that was pitched to me is very, very good and very interesting and it really roped me in and I think it will rope the audience in as well.”

He continued: “There’s going to be some familiar faces. There’s going to be a lot of new faces too, so we’ll see how that all feels. To go back into it in a new set of circumstances is going to be kind of transition.”

Keep scrolling for every sign that Yellowstone fans should have been concerned about Monica’s future:

Kelsey Asbille’s Absence as Monica Despite the Focus on Kayce’s Family

The first trailer for the show showed a wedding ring on Kayce’s finger, which could hint that he is still married — or is a widower — following the events of the Yellowstone series finale. Asbille, for her part, wasn’t announced as a cast member on Marshals, didn’t appear in any promotional footage and hasn’t broken her silence about her future with the franchise.

Advertisement

Related: Which ‘Yellowstone’ Alums Are — And Aren’t — Returning for ‘Marshals’?

CBS is expanding the Yellowstone universe with a spinoff centered around Kayce Dutton — but which alums are reprising their roles on the new show? Yellowstone, which premiered in 2018, introduced viewers to the fictional Dutton family, who own the largest ranch in Montana. After finding success on Paramount, creator Taylor Sheridan grew the Yellowstone […]

The Cryptic Statements About Kayce Dutton’s Next Chapter

If Asbille’s absence from all things Marshals wasn’t enough, the CBS series leaned into ominous messaging about Kayce’s state of mind.

“I fought every day to get out of the weight of Yellowstone. I’ve lost my teammates, my parents and even my brothers,” Kayce said in a sneak peek voiceover as clips showed him going to a makeshift grave for a loved one.

Kayce hinted that he wanted to start fresh. “Sometimes good men have to do bad things,” he added. “But I am trying to find a new beginning.”

In another clip, Kayce stated that the “only thing” he “ever wanted” was “taken” from him. His friend Pete (Green) is later seen doing a “wellness check” on Kayce, who has “demons to conquer” after an offscreen situation. Kayce offered another update on his personal life, saying, “Yellowstone is gone — same for most of my family.”

Hints at a Death in the ‘Marshals’ Trailers

While a scene in the Marshals sneak peek had Kayce and son Tate (Brecken Merrill) together, they were watching a body be covered up in their home. A moment at the end of the trailer showed Kayce with a woman — who was presumably meant to be Monica — in what seemed to be either a flashback or a dream sequence.