The 'Killing off main female protagonists' trend

*If you aren't up to date with the TV shows Castle (are watching season 8), The Vampire Diaries (watched season 6) and The Blacklist (watched season 3 episodes 17&18), don't go ahead. I'm going to talk about MAJOR spoilers.

              Elena Gilbert                        Elizabeth (Liz) Keen                 Kate Beckett 

The 'Killing off main female protagonists' trend is a very real trend, my friends, and so far three of the shows I love and follow have been hit. 

Strike number 1: Elena Gilbert from The Vampire Diaries has gone out 'sleeping beauty style' and has been put into a magical coma because Nina (the actress who plays Elena) won't be returning to the show. And Instead of giving us the much needed Delena HEA we're all dying for, they decided to continue on with the show without our protagonist, our main character, the one the story follows. 

Strike number 2: They've killed off Elizabeth (Liz) Keen from The Blacklist, and we have no idea whether she'll be coming back or not. She literally died. I wrote a very frantic review about it with my theories and thoughts here. I only watched those episodes yesterday. I'm still reeling. 

Strike number 3: you do know what they say about strike number 3.
The TV shows castle has not yet been renewed for a 9th season, but if it will, it has been confirmed the female protagonist Kate Beckett and castle's wife will not be returning for the 9th season. Apparently, they're releasing Stana Katic (the actress who plays Kate Beckett) from the show and not renewing her contract. On their own free will. It's not even the actress who have asked, it's the show that decided it.
"Kate Beckett has been a beloved character on our hit series castle for the past 8 years. We're grateful for Stana Katic's talent and dedication to the series and we hope to continue our relationship," ABC said in a statement to Deadline.
Beloved character? she's much more than that. She's as much of the main character as Castle. It's like you're killing off Castle. And what about Castle? after 8 seasons of Beckett you expect him to... what, somehow move on without her? 

Can someone tell me what in the world is going on in the TV shows world lately?
I still hold out to hope Liz and Elena will come back eventually but until then... I can hardly bring myself to watch the shows without them there. I try, but it's too weird and sad with them gone. 

What do you think about this new trend that seems to be picking up lately? Do you know any other shows that have been hit by it?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Lifehouse - It is what it is

"So I'm gonna die? Is that what you're trying to tell me? Because I've done this once or twice before and it's not all that fun." 

 -- Bonnie Bennett, The Vampire Diaries.

Then again, maybe I don't all that much regret that the vampire diaries is on-going without Elena. The Vampire Diaries has some the best conversations, sarcasm and beautiful moments ever. Plus, Damon is still there. I LOVE Damon. *swoon*.