What would a well known TV show do if an actor died part way through shooting an important storyline?

Question

Due to the devastating death of Mark Preistly (Dan Goldman on Australian Medical drama - All Saints)

He has just recently gotten married to his on-screen partner and I'm just wondering what a show like that would do to end all the loose ends...

sorry to be a bit depressing...

R.I.P. Mark 27.08.08 (F)

Answer 1

Well sometimes they just use another actor to fill the role or they could have his character meet an untimely death.That is how they handle that in  the States. Condolences to all there!!

Answer 2

It happens now and then. The screenwriters work it into the script.

They don't write a script and stick to it. The script evolves.

Answer 3

That's a shame. In Britain, in both Eastenders and Coronation St, characters with storylines have been worked roundabout recently when actors from both were suspended for off-air infractions.

Years ago in Eastenders, a young actor killed himself and they left his character in it unseen (always in another room) for a while and then they had him run away from home. He came back years later played by someone else

Answer 4

There was a show back in the 90's starring Redd Foxx. I forgot the name of it, but during breaks in filming Redd passed away. The producers replaced him with Della Reese but it didn't work out. So the show was cancelled. That's one example anyway.

Answer 5

They would probably change the plot a little to add in his death or something along those lines. Or they could go another rout like someone else play him.