US TV

'Sons Of Anarchy' creator defends death

Published Wednesday, Sep 15 2010, 11:33 BST | By Catriona Wightman

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Sons Of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter has defended his decision to kill off Hale.

Hale died in the third season premiere last week when he was hit by a van.

Sutter has now told TV Guide that the storyline was originally conceived in case contract negotiations with Taylor Sheridan, who played Hale, were unsuccessful.

"Ultimately, we all creatively fell in love with Plan B, and that became the decision and we moved ahead," he explained.

Sutter added that the death will create new opportunities for Unser (Dayton Callie), saying: "What happens when Unser actually has to be a cop? Everything he does, even his relationship with Sons, has been about protecting Charming. He really has to decide this season between Charming and the Sons."

Sons Of Anarchy continues on Tuesdays at 10pm on FX.