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This Harry O producer explained why Lt. Quinlan's sudden death was an important part of the series
“Only Manny’s death could agonize Harry in Rodman’s powerful drama.”
Whether an actor is being written off the series or leaving the show for new opportunities, losing a character in a television series can be difficult. But sometimes, television creators decide to eliminate a character in the hopes that it will encourage future plots.
Such was the case for Lt. Quinlan of Harry O. Played by Henry Darrow, Lt. Quinlan served as a contact for Harry Orwell, though the two men were frequently at odds with one another.
In the first season of Harry O., Lt. Quinlan was killed. His death fueled Harry Orwell’s quest to find the person responsible for murdering his friend.
During an interview with the Arizona Daily Star, executive producer Jerry Thorpe admitted that the loss of Lt. Quinlan was sure to be a shock for audiences everywhere. However, he argued that the emotional toll of Quinlan’s death was a necessary element of the series.
“Killing off Manny Quinlan was mathematical once Howard Rodman and I decided to go with a story that required our star to have a gut-tearing reason for nailing a murderer,” said Thorpe.
Harry Orwell was not typically known for his close friendships, though he seemed to make an exception for Quinlan. Though the men argued often, there was a mutual respect between the two.
“We’d already built up a brother-like relationship between Harry and Manny,” said Thorpe. “Only Manny’s death could agonize Harry in Rodman’s powerful drama.”
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