Fred, the original guardian angel in “Drop Dead Diva,” was written out of the show at the beginning of the fourth season. He left after his heart was broken by Stacy.
In the series, Fred is introduced as Jane Bingum’s (the protagonist) guardian angel after she dies and returns to life in the body of a brilliant plus-sized attorney. Fred is responsible for guiding her through her new life. However, his character undergoes a significant change when he falls in love with Jane’s best friend, Stacy. Their relationship goes through ups and downs, and eventually, Fred erases himself from Stacy’s memory to save her from the pain of their breakup.
At the start of Season 4, Fred discovers that Stacy has moved on and is dating someone else. Unable to cope with the heartbreak, Fred decides to leave his post as Jane’s guardian angel. His departure is facilitated by him pressing the “return” button, which is meant for Jane to go back to heaven, but instead, it causes Fred to leave Earth, erasing himself from everyone’s memories and being replaced by a new guardian angel, Luke.
Fred’s exit from the show was a narrative decision that allowed for new storylines and character development, particularly with the introduction of Luke, who brought a different dynamic to the show. The character of Fred, played by actor Ben Feldman, was beloved by fans, and his departure was felt by the audience who had grown attached to his quirky, endearing personality and his role as Jane’s unwavering supporter.
