Modern Family fans have finally found out leading character dies this season.
Viewers have been wondering which character would perish in the long-running ABC sitcom ever since co-creator Christopher Llyod teased a significant death back in September – however, many were left underwhelmed to learn it wasn’t any of the main ensemble cast.
*Spoilers for Modern Family follow – you have been warned*
It was DeDe Pritchett, the ex-wife of Jay (Ed O’Neill) and mother to Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), who died, bringing Shelley Long’s time on the series to an end. She appeared a total of six times throughout its past ten seasons.
Her death occurred off-screen as it was revealed DeDe had died peacefully in her sleep while on a trip with her women’s group.
While her death has been described by Lloyd as “an event that has repercussions across several episodes,” fans were left feeling short-changed, expressing their disappointment on Twitter.
Modern Family – which began in 2009 – follows the stories of different members of the Pritchett family including Jay, wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara), daughter Claire, son Mitchell and sons-in-law Phil (Ty Burrell) and Cameron (Eric Stonestreet).
The series is expected to end with its 11th run in 2020.
