In the world of television, death is often just a temporary setback. When a cherished character meets their end on a favourite show, viewers are right to be sceptical about their permanent departure. The trend of bringing characters back from the grave has become a staple of modern storytelling, with shows like The Night Manager and Blue Lights recently joining the ranks of programmes that refuse to let their stars rest in peace.
The Lazarus Effect on the Small Screen
Television has long embraced the concept of resurrection, turning it into a beloved trope that keeps audiences guessing and ratings soaring. From dramatic comebacks to dream-sequence reversals, the ways in which characters cheat death are as varied as the genres they inhabit.
Recent Resurrections Making Waves
The BBC's hit series The Night Manager recently revived arms-dealing antagonist Richard Roper, portrayed by Hugh Laurie, mid-series to reignite his conflict with MI6 agent Jonathan Pine, played by Tom Hiddleston. This unexpected return has added intense momentum to the storyline, building anticipation for the upcoming finale where viewers will discover if Roper faces permanent elimination.
Similarly, fans of the Bafta-winning Belfast police drama Blue Lights were thrilled by the announcement that Constable Gerry Cliff, tragically killed off in the first series, will make a shocking return in the fourth season. While it is speculated that his reappearance will be through flashbacks exploring his past in special branch, confirmation awaits the autumn broadcast.
Top 10 Televisual Resurrections
Here, we count down the ten most memorable instances of characters who just couldn't stay dead, complete with plot spoilers that reveal the twists behind their returns.
10. Jon Snow (Game of Thrones, 2011-2019)
Westeros mourned when Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, was stabbed by his Night's Watch brothers and left to bleed out in the snow during the season five finale. However, the red priestess Melisandre resurrected him early in season six, a move that sparked debate among fans about the show's narrative coherence and marked a turning point in its quality.
9. Dan Conner (Roseanne/The Conners, 1988-2025)
John Goodman's beloved patriarch Dan Conner was revealed to have died of a heart attack in the eighth season of Roseanne, with his appearances in season nine explained as figments of his wife's imagination. The 2017 revival retconned his death, allowing him to return with a meta-joke and eventually star in the spin-off The Conners after Roseanne's passing.
8. Nathan Young (Misfits, 2009-2013)
Robert Sheehan's character Nathan in Misfits discovered his immortality after a fatal fall, awakening in a coffin to the annoyance of his friends who soon regretted digging him up. His smug realisation of his power added a humorous twist to the sci-fi series.
7. Rory Williams (Doctor Who, 2010–2012)
Arthur Darvill's Rory Williams experienced a complex resurrection after being shot dead and revived by the Autons, leading to a timey-wimey arc that saw him marry Amy Pond and live out a happy ending despite temporal disruptions.
6. Kenny McCormick (South Park, 1997-present)
Kenny's repeated deaths and resurrections became a hallmark of South Park, with his curse ensuring he never stays dead, though the joke eventually wore thin for creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
5. Richard Roper (The Night Manager, 2016-2026)
Hugh Laurie's portrayal of the villainous Richard Roper sees him cheat death through bribery and deception, setting up a tense rematch with Jonathan Pine in the sequel to John le Carré's thriller.
4. Buffy Summers (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, 1997-2003)
Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy returned from the dead multiple times, most notably after a resurrection spell by Willow, which drew massive audiences despite Buffy's complaint of being torn from heaven.
3. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock, 2010-2017)
Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock faked his death in a dramatic fall, using elaborate tricks to deceive Moriarty and return two years later to a less-than-thrilled Dr. Watson.
2. Dirty Den (EastEnders, 1985-2005)
Leslie Grantham's Dirty Den made a sensational comeback with the iconic line "'Ello, princess," after surviving an assassination attempt, though he met a permanent end two years later.
1. Bobby Ewing (Dallas, 1978-91)
Patrick Duffy's Bobby Ewing set the standard for TV resurrections when his death was retconned as a dream, a twist so secretive it shocked both viewers and cast members, cementing its place in television history.
These resurrections highlight the creative lengths writers will go to keep audiences engaged, proving that on TV, death is rarely the end of the story.
