{"id":233839,"date":"2026-04-11T00:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T00:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/11\/for-all-mankind-kills-off-main-cast-character-in-surprising-season-5-death-very-emotional-moment\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T00:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T00:00:11","slug":"for-all-mankind-kills-off-main-cast-character-in-surprising-season-5-death-very-emotional-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/11\/for-all-mankind-kills-off-main-cast-character-in-surprising-season-5-death-very-emotional-moment\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018For All Mankind\u2019 Kills Off Main Cast Character in Surprising Season 5 Death: \u2018Very Emotional Moment\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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For All Mankind<\/em> proved that no one is safe by killing off a main cast member three episodes into the season.<\/p>\n

During the Friday, April 10, episode of the Apple TV series, Ed (Joel Kinnaman) died with his grandson Alex<\/a> (Sean Kaufman<\/strong>) by his side. While the show\u2019s cast has gone through many changes over the years, Kinnaman, 46, has been the lead since season 1.<\/p>\n

Kaufman, 26, spoke exclusively to Us Weekly<\/em> about being in the room for the crucial moment, saying, \u201cMy favorite part about this show is that as much as there\u2019s all these stunts in every episode \u2014 and it\u2019s so expansive in the nature of the solar system and constant exploration and CGI and planets \u2014 it\u2019s a really grounded drama. It focuses on familial relationships and platonic and romantic relationships and just everyday human life. Being able to focus on that was truly my favorite part.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans saw the beloved character meet his end during episode 3, when he succumbed to lung cancer. It was a tragic development after Kelly (Cynthy Wu<\/strong>) pleads for him to seek treatment, which he declines.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Shocking TV Exits Through the Years<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tAll good things must come to an end, even when it comes to TV. Over the years, many television stars have suddenly left their roles \u2014 while others have been cut from a series without much notice. Anna Faris announced in September 2020 that she was leaving CBS\u2019 Mom after starring as the lead character [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

For All Mankind<\/em>, which premiered in 2019, introduces an alternate version<\/a> of history where the Soviet Union lands on the moon before the United States. The series explores the consequences of the continued Space Race, drawing inspiration from the lunar plaque left on the moon by the crew of Apollo 11.<\/p>\n

The show features<\/a> historical figures including astronauts, NASA officials, American presidents and other politicians. For All Mankind<\/em> originally starred Kinnaman, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour, Wrenn Schmidt, Sonya Walger, Krys Marshall, Cynthy Wu, Coral Pe\u00f1a<\/strong> and Edi Gathegi<\/strong>, with Toby Kebbell, Tyner Rushing, Svetlana Efremova <\/strong>and Daniel Stern<\/strong> rounding out the cast.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEd\u2019s death was a very emotional moment. I had the pleasure of working with Joel and being with him for that scene and it was very powerful,\u201d Kaufman shared with Us<\/em>. \u201cI watched this man who spent a chapter of his life doing this show \u2014 and who clearly had a connection and was family to this cast and this crew \u2014 and it literally came to a close. It was so emotional. I had no choice but to feel overwhelmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaufman, who joined the show in season 5<\/a>, felt \u201cthe passing of the guard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt so impactful for me to be able to be there in that scene \u2014 and for him to pass it on to me,\u201d he noted. \u201cThere was a scene we did before where I was a little nervous. We were talking about it. At the end of the scene, after my coverage, he just looks at me silently in his old man makeup and he just nods and gives me a thumbs up. I\u2019ll never forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>How TV Shows Handled Stars\u2019 Deaths: ‘And Just Like That’ and More<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tRiverdale,\u00a0Glee\u00a0and more TV shows were faced with the difficult task of writing out characters after their portrayers died off screen. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He concluded: \u201cBecause to me, that was the moment I knew he trusts me. It was a very powerful thing that I really used a lot in the show because it was like, \u2018Well, it\u2019s on me now to shape my future in the show. I have to trust myself in the way that he trusts me.’\u201d<\/p>\n

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