Network television has experienced an array of shocking character deaths that have left audiences reeling. While some of these fatalities were satisfying and justified, others came as brutal surprises that caught fans off guard. Yet, this discussion barely scratches the surface, as we also need to explore characters who were almost killed off but ultimately survived. In the beloved series Bones, one character’s arc was nearly cut short far earlier than expected. During an episode of Boneheads, the Bones podcast hosted by cast members Emily Deschanel and Carla Gallo, guest star Tamara Taylor revealed that her character, Cam Saroyan, was originally slated for death. Astonishingly, this information was kept from even her fellow cast members.

Taylor recounted the backstage conversations that unfolded during the show’s production. “So, you’re doing so well,” she recalled, to which she responded, “thank you.” Then came the shocking twist, “and you’re doing so well that the fans are loving you,” followed by, “we’re gonna have to kill you,” Taylor explained. Both Deschanel and Gallo gasped at this revelation. Taylor shared that she was well-received not only by fans but also by the studio in her role as the Head of the Forensics Division at the Jeffersonian. However, her character had a built-in contingency that allowed for her potential elimination if the studio deemed it necessary. Cam often clashed with Deschanel’s character, Dr. Temperance Brennan; she served as a sharp-witted counterpart, providing entertaining dynamics while managing the diverse personalities within the Jeffersonian’s team. Taylor went on to clarify that the episode in which she was poisoned was meant to lead to her character’s demise. This pivotal episode was titled “The Man in the Cell,” where Cam falls victim to a neurotoxin called Methyl Bromide, administered by the infamous serial killer Howard Epps (Heath Freeman).