Actor Josh Charles has played his last episode in the show, The Good Wife, and will not be rejoining the cast in future seasons. In a shocking turn of the penultimate episode of the season, lawyer Will Gardner was shot by his unhinged client and died of injuries in the hospital before the episode's end.

In August, Julianna Marguiles, who plays the shows protagonist, weighed in about the 'shocking' nature of 5^th season saying to Entertainment Weekly saying: "there's some stuff brewing that I think will be a little explosive." This has been an 'explosive' season, starting with Alicia Florrick (Marguiles) and Cary Agos (Matt Czuchry) deciding to start their own firm.  

Although his exit was surprising, it has to be said that Josh Charles' leaving wasn't entirely unpredicted. Rumors as late as last year have had the actor leaving the show. Rumors swirled as Charles signed a one year contract in 2013 which would end before the finale of the fifth season.

Executive producer and Co-Creator Robert King talked about the possibility of Charles' leaving in August. In a TVLine interview he allowed for the possibility saying, basically, that although Gardner is a major character, the cast, story, and writing team can adjust. "We can turn on, well, not a dime, but a 50-cent piece. We can turn things pretty fast if we need to."

The dramatic shooting death occurred when recurring client Jeffrey Grant shot Gardner down in the middle of a crowded courtroom. Charles noted to TVLine that he would miss cast and crew members but said that:  "Creatively, I was just ready to move on to the next chapter."

Rumors have the upcoming episode 16 of the season following the remaining characters as they deal with the loss of their former co-worker and friend.