Some iconic TV characters were crafted to be heroes from the beginning. Others earned the title by accident. As a story unfolds on screen, what was originally established on paper evolves under the magnetic influence of the actors, offering the writers and directors a fresh and unexplored perspective. Sometimes, the most overlooked characters defy expectations and prove their worth only after they come alive on television.
Many of the most iconic TV characters were written as secondary roles to support (or antagonize) the heroes of the story. However, once they steal the hearts of the creators and audience in the limited screen time they were given, it would be a colossal mistake not to grant them the opportunity to shine. It might be because of their interpreters’ unanticipated charisma or how they perfectly intertwined with a story’s natural progress, but at one point, these 10 TV characters became too important to ignore.
10 Saul Goodman
Played By Bob OdenKirk In Breaking Bad
Albuquerque’s most cunning lawyer, Saul Goodman, was initially hired to be in only four episodes of Breaking Bad. Embodied by Bob Odenkirk, Saul’s primary role was to provide legal guidance to Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. Unsurprisingly, Odenkirk did not only end up becoming a series’ regular, but also a fan favorite and landed his own TV show, Better Call Saul.
Odenkirk’s comedic timing and ability to portray the flawed morality of his character certainly did their magic.
Saul’s brilliant comebacks and resourcefulness made him a compelling addition to Breaking Bad, providing humor and a thrill to the underlying story. His peculiarities and absurd yet ingenious stunts captured the interest of the audience, who grew eager to understand the nuances of his personality and the backstory that made him one of the most successful criminal lawyers in Albuquerque. Odenkirk’s comedic timing and ability to portray the flawed morality of his character certainly did their magic, transforming his minor role into an iconic anti-hero.
9 Daryl Dixon
Played By Norman Reedus In The Walking Dead
When he first appeared on The Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon was a minor character who lived in the shadow of his older brother Merle. His unfriendly demeanor and occasionally short temper did not immediately make him the most popular member of Rick Grime’s squad, but his courage and intelligence soon conquered both his teammates and the public. Played by Norman Reedus, Daryl’s role evolved to be the central focus of the show, to the point that he even replaced Rick Grimes in the later seasons.
Daryl became so popular,
The Walking Dead
fans often took to social media promising, “If Daryl Dies, We Riot.”
In his portrayal, Reedus captured the complex nature and emotional depth of a character who could have easily come across as unlikable to viewers, transforming him into a fully-fledged and nuanced hero who is easy to root for. Daryl’s chemistry with characters such as Carol and Beth allowed him to develop and explore among the most unexpected yet heartwarming relationships on The Walking Dead, further establishing him as an iconic figure of the show.
8 The Janitor
Played By Neil Flynn In Scrubs
It would be hard to think about the most hilarious moments of Scrubs without considering the Janitor. Played by Neil Flynn, the character was initially supposed to have a minor role and represent a fragment of JD’s imagination. However, Flynn’s unmatched ability to improvise and deliver brilliant one-liners in the most natural fashion helped create an iconic character that became one of the show’s most beloved figures.
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Neil Flynn’s chemistry with Zach Braff, his sworn (and reluctant) enemy in Scrubs, laid the ground for one of the most hilarious hate-love relationships in the history of television. The Janitor evolved from his role as a secondary villain set on ruining JD’s life to becoming an integral part of the Sacred Heart. His quirky unpredictability paired with his occasionally astute observations gave the audience a character that was impossible not to love.
7 Fonzie
Played By Henry Winkler In Happy Days
Fonzie was originally created to be a minor character, a classic 1950s high school “tough guy” who could serve as a foil to the fresh-faced protagonist- Richie Cunningham. However, Henry Winkler, who played Happy Days’ most famous character for ten years, was so well-received by the audience that the producers decided to expand his role and made him a regular in season 2 of the show.
Fonzie’s real name is Arthur Fonzarelli, but he was best known as “The Fonz”.
Winkler embodied Fonzie’s rebellious streak and defiant demeanor in such an effortless way that the character became not only a sexy symbol but also the most popular face on the show. Traditionally dressed in a leather motorcycle jacket, Fonzie’s appearance and fashion further contributed to defining the character’s status as a cool icon. Winkler’s charismatic portrayal also encouraged the exploration of The Fonz’s backstory and complexities, offering the audience a nuanced hero that will always remain in the history of television.
6 Ben Linus
Played By Michael Emerson In Lost
Lost
, Ben Linus, was initially meant to appear in only three episodes of the TV series. Ben was simply an additional member of the protagonists’ rival group “The Others”. However,
Michael Emerson portrayed the character’s ambiguous nature in such a convincingly chilling way
that producers recognized his potential and made him the main villain of the third season of
Lost
.
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By emphasizing the enigmatic essence of his character, Emerson helped build an interesting backstory for Ben Linus, laying the ground for a complex figure that alternates between villain and anti-hero. Emerson’s role was explored with intelligence and vulnerability, transforming him into a compelling addition to an already thrilling cast. Ben’s unpredictability, paired with his Machiavellian personality, turned a minor character into one of the most iconic faces of Lost.
5 Spike
Played By James Marsters In Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
as a villainous vampire who was meant to be a short-lived antagonist. His role was initially supposed to be minor. However, Spike evolved into one of the most complex and fascinating figures on
Buffy
. The vampire’s platinum-haired, punk-rock aesthetic, coupled with James Marsters’s charming performance, made
Spike a stand-out presence and soon conquered the hearts of the viewers
, leading creator Joss Whedon to promote Masters to a series regular.
Spike evolved one of the most complex and fascinating figures on
Buffy
.
Spike evolved to become a layered and sympathetic anti-hero
, whose compelling story stole the spotlight. Spike’s tumultuous and prohibited romance with Buffy added depth to the character, turning the punk vampire into a tragic figure fighting for redemption. Spike’s sharp humor and growing vulnerability established him as one of the most iconic characters in TV history.
4 Frasier Crane
Played By Kelsey Grammer In Cheers
Frasier Crane, the beloved psychiatrist from Cheers, joined season 3 as a love interest for Diane Chambers. Kelsey Grammer initially had a minor role in the series. Frasier was supposed to be an obstacle to Cheers’ central Diane and Sam Malone romance. However, Grammer’s portrayal of Frasier as a highly intelligent, sarcastic, and multi-faceted character left a lasting impression, and the actor was soon promoted to a series regular in the following seasons.
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Kelsey Grammer did not simply become part of the main cast of Cheers. Frasier Crane was later given the spotlight he deserved in the spin-off Frasier, where the psychiatrist returned to his hometown Seattle and became a radio-show host. The sitcom had the opportunity to explore Frasier and his private life on a deeper level, focusing on his family relationships and dynamics with his father and younger brother.
3 Santana Lopez
Played By Naya Rivera In Glee
Santana Lopez is without a doubt one of Glee’s most iconic characters. However, she was initially conceived as a stereotypical mean girl whose minor role consisted of being Quinn Fabray’s and Sue Sylveste’s sidekick. However, after Glee‘s first season, Santana was promoted to a series regular and soon became a fan favorite. Naya Rivera, with her astonishingly charismatic presence and sublime voice, has clearly helped establish her character’s legendary status. The actress’ portrayal invested the cheerleader with an intense vulnerability while maintaining a malicious streak, creating an interesting addition to the show.
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Santana’s journey of coming out became a pivotal part of Glee‘s story. As the show progressed, Naya’s ability to portray Santana’s struggle with her identity and fierce path to self-acceptance allowed her to develop a nuanced role model to which people with similar experiences could relate to. By the end of Glee, Santana’s arch from high school villain to a symbol of self-acceptance made her one of the most iconic characters of the series.
2 Sophia Petrillo
Played By Estelle Getty In The Golden Girls
Sophia Petrillo, the legendary character from The Golden Girls, was originally written as a secondary role. Masterfully played by Estelle Getty, the actress had to appear only in the pilot episode of the series as the mother of one of the show’s leading characters, Dorothy Zbornak. However, Sophia’s irreverent wit and intelligence established her as an integral part of the sitcom.
Throughout the series, Sophia alternates between her sarcastic teasing of the other three protagonists and heartwarming moments that prove the woman’s deep affection for her daughter and roommates, often making her dynamic with them both exhilarating and endearing. Sophia’s astute observation and wisdom make her a point of reference for the rest of the Golden Girls, Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche. Estelle Getty’s performance further established the character as a fan favorite, leading her to become an iconic figure integral to The Golden Girls’ success.
1 Jesse Pinkman
Played By Aaron Paul In Breaking Bad
Often recognized as Breaking Bad‘s flawed moral center, Jesse Pinkman was initially supposed to die by the end of season 1 for a drug deal gone wrong. His death would then serve to fuel Walter White’s guilt and prompt him to seek revenge. Jesse was little more than a tool for Breaking Bad to connect Walt with the criminal world and then contribute to his path to villainy. However, Aaron Paul paved the way for a different story arc.
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Aaron Paul’s ability to embody Jesse’s sensitive nature and innocence prompted the writers and the audience to sympathize with a character who was so at odds with the violent world surrounding him. The actor’s natural chemistry with his co-star Bryan Cranston and how it manifested on screen as a chaotic father-son relationship between two completely different personalities has created one of the most legendary duos on television. Jesse’s bond with his mentor and his painful journey toward redemption prompted him to become the heart of Breaking Bad, transforming him into one of TV’s iconic characters.
