Josh Charles has recently opened up about the profound emotional impact of his departure from the hit legal drama The Good Wife, highlighting the unexpected magnitude of fans’ reactions to the death of his character, Will Gardner. Over a decade since his exit, Charles continues to experience the strong connection that viewers have maintained with the show and its characters.
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published on January 15, Charles reflected on his decision to leave the series during its fifth season, acknowledging that he was surprised by the depth of the audience’s response. “I knew it would be a surprise, but the impact and response to it was one that honestly, I wasn’t fully braced for myself,” he admitted.
The 54-year-old actor expressed how easy it is to forget the vast number of people invested in a show while working in the industry. “You live in these bubbles and forget that, oh my God, there are a lot of people watching this who are invested in the show. You forget sometimes,” he noted. This realization made him appreciate the power and significance of storytelling in television.
Charles emphasized that viewers don’t just watch characters; they form emotional attachments and follow their journeys closely. The understanding of this connection was both humbling and enlightening for him, reinforcing the relevance of stories in people’s lives.
Reflecting on his time with The Good Wife, which premiered in September 2009, Charles shared that fans still reach out to express how his character’s death impacted them. He recounted messages from fans who relive the experience of watching Will’s story unfold, saying, “I have people, every day, DMing me or coming up to me. ‘I just saw this for the first time.’ ‘I just rewatched this and I started sobbing again.’ ‘It was like watching a friend die.’ That’s an odd thing to experience, but I’m just really proud of it.”
Looking back, Charles expressed pride in the characters created during his time on the series, emphasizing that the ultimate goal was to develop relatable characters that resonated with viewers. He conveyed a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to work with creators Robert and Michelle King, reflecting fondly on his experience and the connections he formed throughout the show’s run.
Despite the passage of time, The Good Wife and its characters continue to evoke powerful emotional responses, a testament to the enduring impact of quality storytelling in the television landscape.