There remained a dark undercurrent to the series, however, and while the writers ramped-up the colour and comedy factor, they also set about revamping the cast, and "E Street" became notorious for regularly killing off established characters in unique and creative ways: the violent demise of two original characters – Rhonda Berry was shot dead in an armed siege and Sarah McKillop was raped and suffocated to death – reinforced the original intention by the producers to shock viewers and push boundaries.