SPOILER ALERT: 'I can't handle any more heartache!' Homeland fans take to Twitter in droves as they mourn the shocking death of beloved character during devastating season finale

By Ryan Smith for MailOnline

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With the volatile plotlines that are a part of Homeland's bread and butter, witnessing a character or two come to a grizzly end has come to be all but expected.

But as the season six finale hit US screens on Sunday, fans were left devastated when one of the show's beloved good guys perished under a shower of gunfire.

As countless viewers took to Twitter to express their shock over the brutal scenes, one wrote: 'F**k, I just watched Homeland. This is a rough night of Sunday TV. I can't handle any more heartache.'

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Never a dull moment: Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) was at the centre of yet more high-octane scenes during the gripping season six finale of Homeland on Sunday night

Never a dull moment: Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) was at the centre of yet more high-octane scenes during the gripping season six finale of Homeland on Sunday night

Fans watched as Peter Quinn (played by Rupert Friend) died while driving Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) and US President-elect Elizabeth Keane (Elizabeth Marvel).

As bullets rained on the vehicle they were travelling in, Quinn steered the ladies to safety before dying - knowing that he was set up to take the fall for Keane's death.

His death - in aid of a President who already appears to be as 'un-American' as Dar Adal (F. Murray Abraham) had suspected - was all the more shocking, as fans had tuned into the first episode of season six believing he'd perished in another attack.

Suspicion: Dar Adal (F. Murray Abraham) - left, and seen with Max (Maury Sterling) - had long expressed his misgivings about a particular character's 'un-American' ways

Suspicion: Dar Adal (F. Murray Abraham) - left, and seen with Max (Maury Sterling) - had long expressed his misgivings about a particular character's 'un-American' ways

Goodnight, and good luck: Shortly after the season six finale aired, British actor Rupert Friend took to Twitter to share a shot of himself in character as Peter Quinn - and to big fans farewell

Goodnight, and good luck: Shortly after the season six finale aired, British actor Rupert Friend took to Twitter to share a shot of himself in character as Peter Quinn - and to big fans farewell

Strong reaction: Hordes of viewers expressed their horror over Quinn's shocking death

Strong reaction: Hordes of viewers expressed their horror over Quinn's shocking death

After the season finale aired, British actor Rupert took to Twitter to share a shot of himself in character as Quinn, along with the message: 'Goodnight, and good luck.'

And his departure provoked a stream of emotional responses from devoted fans, with one writing: 'This seasons finale was deja vu of the worst kind. Do you feel any empathy for your fans, leaving us emotionally broken 2 seasons in a row?'

Making their feelings particularly clear, another stated on the micro-blogging site: 'I just hate that they have killed off Peter Quinn in Homeland hate it hate it.'

It's over (again): The ending proved to be particularly shocking as Carrie had watched Quinn survive a brush with death at the start of the season

It's over (again): The ending proved to be particularly shocking as Carrie had watched Quinn survive a brush with death at the start of the season

Job Well done: Many others also took to the micro-blogging site to praise the tense finale

Job Well done: Many others also took to the micro-blogging site to praise the tense finale

Echoing similar sentiments, another took aim at the script: 'Homeland writers gave Quinn even less love than Carrie did. Way to gloss over the end of his 5 season arc.'

However, there were a number that also deemed the tense scenes 'amazing' - even if the outcome included the ultimate demise of a dependable favourite.

Ahead of the season finale, showrunner Alex Gansa spoke with Deadline about what to expect from the action-packed episode, revealing: 'I think first and foremost you have to look at the Peter Quinn – Carrie Mathison relationship.

Big hints: Ahead of the finale, showrunner Alex Gansa had hinted at what fans could expect

Big hints: Ahead of the finale, showrunner Alex Gansa had hinted at what fans could expect

'That was the first dramatic scene of this season, Carrie and Quinn together in that VA hospital. In large part, that has functioned as the emotional centre of Season 6.

'One can expect that that relationship is going to come to some head in the finale, because that was the first and foremost idea we came into this season with — so there’s that on the table.'

He added: 'We really hope that this year’s finale sets up the final progression of this series. Shocked is always a good emotion to evoke as well, so I guess I would hope they would be shocked as well.' 

Progression: Alex Gansa said that the finale should set up 'the final progression of the series'

Progression: Alex Gansa said that the finale should set up 'the final progression of the series'

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