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‘The Good Wife’ stuns fans with character’s death

Spoiler alert! Do not read or watch the video above if you haven’t yet seen the episode.

NEW YORK – Viewers of The Good Wife were gobsmacked by the sudden, unexpected death of its dashing attorney, Will Gardner, on Sunday’s episode of the legal drama.

Gardner, a prominent character portrayed by Josh Charles since the series’ debut five seasons ago, was gunned down in a Chicago courtroom by his unhinged client. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

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Once the episode had aired, Twitter lit up with astonished, sorrowful and even irate posts.

One viewer called for a group hug, while another issued a plea for a counsellor to treat jolted fans. Yet another viewer expressed hope that, as with Dallas long ago in revealing Bobby Ewing’s death to be only a dream, The Good Wife would find Gardner stepping out of his shower next week, alive and well.

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Other viewers vowed never to watch the show again, as payback.

Gardner was a rival lawyer and former lover of the character played by series star Julianna Margulies.

His death and Charles’ decision to exit the show had been well-guarded secrets. Charles, who entered the series with a four-year contract, opted not to re-up when it expired after last season, according to his publicist.

Charles’ past TV work includes the dramedy series SportsNight and a season playing a client of therapist Gabriel Byrne on the drama In Treatment.

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