What Happened to Madeline Wuntch in Brooklyn Nine-Nine? The Character’s Final Fate and Legacy Explained

In the seventh season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the precinct received shocking news that reshaped one of the show’s longest-running storylines. The character of Madeline Wuntch, the formidable and often petty NYPD Commissioner played by Kyra Sedgwick, was unexpectedly written out of the series. This development left a significant mark on the show, particularly for her arch-nemesis, Captain Raymond Holt.

The Shocking News of Her Departure

The pivotal moment occurred in Season 7, Episode 7, titled “Ding Dong,” which aired on March 12, 2020. Sergeant Terry Jeffords gathered the squad in the briefing room to announce that Acting Commissioner Madeline Wuntch had died. The episode intentionally did not reveal her specific cause of death, leaving it a mystery.

Captain Holt, famous for his deep-seated rivalry with Wuntch, was initially in disbelief. He was convinced her death was an elaborate scam, famously quipping, “If she was dead, we would be hearing the sounds of children singing in the streets!”. His skepticism led him to personally check her coffin at the funeral home. Once convinced of her death, Holt’s reaction was to celebrate. He returned to the precinct singing “Ding Dong! The Wuntch is Dead!” and joyfully threw bagels at his colleagues.

Wuntch’s Final Plot Against Holt

The celebration was short-lived. Holt soon received a pre-recorded video message from Wuntch, sent via her attorney. In the video, she stated that before her death, she had told high-ranking NYPD officials that she and Holt had reconciled. She claimed Holt had insisted on organizing and hosting her official NYPD memorial service. This was a masterful final trap. Wuntch knew Holt would be unable to resist speaking ill of her at the memorial. If he did so in front of the police top brass, it would irreparably damage his career and any chance of regaining his position as captain.

Holt accepted the challenge, with Detectives Rosa Diaz and Amy Santiago trying to help him prepare a respectful speech. His efforts were complicated by the arrival of a man named Adam, who introduced himself as Wuntch’s “true” nemesis, making Holt jealous. Adam later revealed himself to be Wuntch’s nephew. He tricked Holt into delivering a scathing rant about Wuntch, which he recorded and played on a screen during what Holt thought was the real memorial.

However, Holt, a strategic mastermind honed by years of Halloween Heists, was prepared. He revealed that the entire memorial audience was actually a local improv troupe he had hired. He had anticipated Wuntch’s posthumous trick. At the genuine, smaller memorial that followed, Holt experienced a moment of clarity and genuine emotion.

“As many of you know, Madeline and I were bitter rivals, but I’ve come to realize that she held a special place in my life,” Holt said in his final eulogy. “No one challenged me like she did, or made me feel as alive. Our relationship was like an epic chess match, and it’s hard to believe that she’ll never make another move. So she’s gone, and I wish she had not. I will miss you, Madeline Wuntch.”

Behind the Scenes: Why the Character Was Killed Off

The decision to kill off Madeline Wuntch was likely driven by actor availability and story direction. Around the same time the episode aired, Kyra Sedgwick had been confirmed as the lead in a new ABC sitcom, Call Your Mother, which was slated for the 2020-2021 season. This new leading role likely required an exclusive contract, preventing further appearances on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Writing the character out through death provided a definitive end to her long-running arc with Holt.

Some fans and commentators have theorized that the ambiguous nature of her death—with no confirmed cause shown on screen—left the door open for a potential return if schedules allowed. The elaborate, trick-filled nature of her final plot even led some to speculate within the show’s universe that she might have faked her own death. However, with Brooklyn Nine-Nine concluding after its eighth season, her death remains the character’s canonical end.

The Legacy of Holt and Wuntch’s Rivalry

Madeline Wuntch first appeared in Season 2 as the Deputy Chief of Department. Throughout her tenure, she was a constant thorn in Holt’s side, eventually rising to become Acting Commissioner. Their rivalry was a cornerstone of the show’s humor, featuring some of its most creatively insulting dialogue. Holt regularly compared her to inanimate objects and mythical creatures, calling her a “human blister” and a “Korean toilet ghost”. Their animosity was so profound it consistently broke Holt’s normally stoic and dignified demeanor, revealing a pettier, more emotional side.

While initially presented as pure hatred, the show hinted at a deeper history. The pair were once good friends, but a string of misunderstandings drove them apart, fueling their competitive and spiteful relationship for decades. Holt’s final speech acknowledged this complex bond, suggesting their mutual challenge made them both better officers.

The episode “Ding Dong” was not just about Wuntch’s death. It also contained a major positive development for Jake and Amy, who, after a long struggle, learned they were expecting a baby. The episode was watched by an estimated 2.12 million households and received positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised Andre Braugher’s performance.

Also Read: Lee Yi Kyung’s Agency Clarifies Intentions After Yoo Jae Suk Omission in Awards Speech

Sources: (1)

---