On the November 24 episode of Seth MacFarlane's long-running "Family Guy," fans were stunned to watch one of the animated comedy's central characters bite the dust. The family dog, Brian, lost his life after being hit by a car. Of course, this is not the only shocking character death. (There are some SPOILERS here, so you've been warned.) 
According to reports in the United Kingdom, author Helen Fielding has killed off Mark Darcy in her latest Bridget Jones novel, "Mad About the Boy." Fans are reportedly not happy about the loss of Darcy, played by actor Colin Firth, in the films. 
Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies) didn't have a chance to live happily ever after on "The Walking Dead" since she died in childbirth. 
The character of medical student Lucy Knight (played by Kellie Martin) was stabbed to death by a mentally disturbed patient on "ER." 
Heath Ledger stared as the Joker and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes in "The Dark Knight." The death of Rachel hit Bruce Wayne/Batman hard. 
The birth of her daughter should have been a joyous time for Lady Sybil Branson (Jessica Brown Findlay) and her husband, Tom (Allen Leech), on "Downton Abbey," but fans were shocked when tragedy struck. 
The death of Kevin Spacey's character Lester Burnham in the 1999 movie "American Beauty" is accompanied by poignant words at the end of the film. 
The revival of John Travolta's career via playing hit man Vincent Vega in the 1994 film "Pulp Fiction" was almost as surprising as the way his character gets taken out in that film. Toaster pastries, anyone? 
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Viewers didn't actually witness the death of Gwyneth Paltrow's character Tracy in the 1995 film "Se7en," but "The Box" was enough to shock Detective David Mills, played by Brad Pitt -- and us viewers. 
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Michael K. Williams plays Omar Little, who was a bit of a Robin Hood on the critically acclaimed series "The Wire." His death in season five was more shocking for the manner in which it happened than that it happened in the first place. 
Peter Krause starred as Nate Fisher, who was expected to survive after after a brain hemorrhage but ultimately died -- like the rest of the cast -- on "Six Feet Under." 
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- "Family Guy's" Sunday episode featured a major character death
- The family dog, Brian, died after being hit by a car
- Fans are shocked by his death
(CNN) -- It's a shame what "Family Guy" has done to its dog.
On Sunday's episode of the animated Fox series, the Griffin family pooch, Brian, was killed. (Seriously.)
The intelligent and verbose pet was headed into the street to play with his ace companion, mischievous baby Stewie, when he was struck by an oncoming car. His injuries were so severe, he ended up having to say farewell to the family he's bonded with since 1999.
Naturally, fans don't know what to make of this shocking news, with some having suggestions for another character who could've said goodbye:
'Family Guy' loses one of its own
OUT OF ALL CHARACTERS THEYRE KILLING OFF BRIAN. WHY COULDN'T THEY KILL OFF MEG?
— ☯ rydrsly ☯ (@__bbyc) November 25, 2013
it's too bad brian insisted on doing his own stunt's. he might not have died #hedidhisownstunts a true professional
— rigamarock (@rigamarock) November 25, 2013
YOURE A COMEDY, NOT A DRAMA. DONT GO KILLING OFF CHARACTERS. GO HOME FAMILY GUY, YOURE DRUNK. #BringBackBrian
— Sammi (@sammibxtch1108) November 25, 2013 To make matters worse, the series has replaced Brian with another pup named Vinny, voiced by "The Sopranos' " Tony Sirico.
So Brian gets hit by a car and dies, the Griffins get a new dog, and if Stewie doesnt rebuild the time machine, I'm boycotting. #familyguy
— Todd Bailey (@ToddABailey) November 25, 2013 According to "Family Guy" executive producer Steve Callaghan, creator Seth MacFarlane is a "big fan of 'The Sopranos' and always loved Tony Sirico in particular, and he thought it would be fun to write a character based around his voice and his personality," he told E! News.
Apparently, the idea to kill off Brian was thrown out into the writers room, and "it sort of caught fire" as "a fun way to shake things up."
"As soon as this idea came up, we started talking about what the next couple episodes could be, and we got very excited about the way this change will affect the family dynamics and the characters," Callaghan said.
MacFarlane's hit is now in its 12th season, and the creator has said that he'd be OK with "Family Guy" ending its run. In an October 2011 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the multitasking actor/writer/producer said he'd have been fine with wrapping the series a few years ago.
"Part of me thinks 'Family Guy' should have already ended," he told the magazine. "I think seven seasons is about the right lifespan for a TV series. I talk to fans, and in a way I'm kind of secretly hoping for them to say 'we're done with it.' "
Viewers might wonder whether this move is a way to dissuade them from tuning in, but Callaghan doesn't foresee any backlash.
"Our fans are smart enough and have been loyal to our show for long enough, to know that they can trust us," he told E!. "We always make choices that always work to the greatest benefit of the series."
