After a major character was killed off Hell on Wheels in the last episode, it was something that a lot of people didn't see coming- although the actor had reportedly known for a while.

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On Saturday, Deadline posted an interview with rapper Common, who played Elam on the series until recently. Showrunner John Wirth also gave some comments on the situation and how Elam's partner Cullen Bohannon had to be a big part of that.

"We needed Bohannon in that decision point where he decides to kill him, it's a mercy killing," Wirth said. "Having our hero end his friend's life in that way is tricky and I wanted it to be very clear that there were no other options as far as Cullen Bohannon saw."

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The showrunner mentioned that it's doubtful that Elam will be back for a flashback, but it's still something to consider.

"We don't really do flashbacks very often, and even as I say that I'm aware that we are doing it this season in one instance and people have appeared on the show who are dead," Wirth said. "But you never know," he added. "It's possible."

Common also gave his words on the decision to let his character go so he could focus his time on his music instead.

"I got to say it wasn't the easiest thing for me to, but I have a lot of aspects to my career that I wasn't able to nurture being up in Calgary for so long every year filming 'Hell on Wheels,'" the rapper said. "Acting is very, very important to me, but music is very important to me too."

Hell on Wheels airs on Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

Tags: Hell On Wheels television AMC