Top 10 saddest deaths in 'The Originals,' ranked

The Originals was a tale of eternal struggle for power that centered on ancient vampires. As a spin-off of the popular series, The Vampire Diaries, the narrative of The Originals presented family dynamics and the horror of the vampire world, set in New Orleans.

While the supernatural genre often uses death as a plot device to move the story forward, The Originals came up with character deaths that stayed even after the credits rolled, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

The deaths weren't just impactful due to their permanent nature but the ripple effect they had on those who survived. Here is a look at 10 of the most heart-wrecking farewells from The Originals, ranked by their emotional weight.

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10 most heartbreaking deaths in The Originals, ranked

1. Klaus Mikaelson (Season 5, Episode 13)

Klaus Mikaelson's death marked a deeply emotional moment for the loyal fans. He was once a ruthless Hybrid King, but later became a fiercely protective father for Hope.

In the redemptive character arc, he sacrificed his life and absorbed the Hollow's essence to save his daughter, knowing it would mean a total end for him. Klaus’s arc was one of selfless love and transformation that culminated into sharing a final, poignant moment with his brother, Elijah.

Viewers were heartbroken, yet the experience lent a redemptive effect, watching a fierce character embrace death for the sake of his child. His end added depth to the overall richness of The Originals, and the sacrifice meant triumph of love over monstrosity.

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2. Elijah Mikaelson (Season 5, Episode 13)

Elijah was fully committed to his vow to redeem his brother, "Always and Forever." He kept his promise in any way he could across centuries and sacrificed many things on a personal level. He kept up and cleaned after Klaus’s mess.

However, what drew tears in the viewers was his final decision to die with Klaus. This choice was both a reminder of their unshakable bond and the tragic ends they underwent.

Elijah died when he was finally on the precipice of finding true peace and happiness, having seen Klaus find his redemption. Even so for Klaus, Elijah sacrificed himself.

3. Hayley Marshall (Season 5, Episode 6)

Hayley’s death was not just emotional, but brutal and raw. It came as a shocking blow that had a rippling effect throughout the entire final season. Hayley, like Klaus, was a caring parent to Hope, she also sacrificed herself to save her.

What felt deeply tragic was the premise of her death: She expected Elijah, the man she loved, to save her, but he was in an amnesiac state and failed to recognize her.

Her final moments were difficult to watch: They were marked by a deep sense of betrayal and desperate love. Her loss had an agonizing effect on those who still survived. The fan favorite characters — from Hope to Klaus and Freya — were all battling with the reality of her loss and grappling with immense grief.

4. Cami O'Connell (Season 3, Episode 19)

Cami stood out as a symbol of hope in a world of monstrosity, and she was able to see the good in Klaus. Her bond with Klaus was emotional and compelling. Her death was slow yet painful after Lucien bit her.

Viewers were heartbroken to see her wane slowly, in an episode that was agonizing and emotionally charged. Klaus was continuously trying to make her last few moments happy and peaceful. There was a sweet intimacy to her final moments, even when their future was taken away from them.

5. Josh (Season 5, Episode 10)

Josh was a rare gem in the world full of death, amidst New Orleans' supernatural factions: He was genuinely kind and loyal, serving as a much needed emotional anchor. His death was caused by werewolf venom and the blow came from his beloved Aiden's touch.

The Originals rarely brought back the characters it wrote off, and so Josh didn't get a magical resurrection. His tragic end was marked by a longing for reunion with Aiden in the afterlife. This profound emotion made Josh one of the most beloved and missed characters.

6. Kol Mikaelson (Season 3, Episode 17)

Kol Mikaelson is one of the most unpredictable characters of The Originals. He found a profound connection with Davina. His death by a hex was slow and agonizing. It was painful and brutal: things that The Originals is known for.

The physical torment was unsettling enough, but the emotional distress of Davina was even more disturbing. Davina found in Kol someone who would accept her for who she was but only for him to be snatched away in such an unfair manner.

The raw desperation of the untimely farewell coupled with Davina's profound grief made this moment deeply scarring.

7. Aiden (Season 3, Episode 20)

Aiden’s death marked the end of her romance with Josh. They had just started dreaming of a prosperous future together when Aiden's heart was ripped out, leaving Josh alone and devastated.

The death highlighted the tragic impossibility of love blooming into successful life-long companionship, in a world where death and loss are rampant.

8. Marcel Gerard (Season 3, Episode 21)

Marcel dies at the hand of Elijah but his death was not premeditated. It came as a result of panic and chaos, as a shocking twist.

Even though Marcel often had rivalry with the Mikaelsons, he was like family to Klaus. He was also Rebekah’s true love. Klaus suffered from a deep grief after Marcel died and his profound grief showed just how important Marcel was in their lives.

9. Davina Claire (Season 1, Episode 11)

Davina was one of the show’s moral anchors and a much-loved character. When she died, it shook the viewers and the rest of the characters.

She died at the hands of the ancestral witches, which was devastating. One of the rare cases in The Originals, she had returned later — but the scene where Kol betrayed her — was agonizing. The betrayal was accompanied by her desperate screams for Kol.

10. Jackson Kenner (Season 3, Episode 10)

Jackson's death left a deep impact on Hayley. Being a good man, his brutal killing by Tristan immediately after confessing his love to Hayley, not only felt brutal but tragic.

His death represented the lack of a stable happy life for her, outside the Mikaelson drama, proving even most liked, honorable characters were not free from danger.

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