Lead characters are extremely important for TV series, as they are the basis of the shows' storylines. However, to make said lead characters shine and make the storylines interesting, supporting characters must be introduced. Sometimes, those characters have a major impact on a series and even end up becoming leads. Just see how Ben Linus on Lost was set to appear in a few episodes, but ended up being so helpful to the storyline and loved (or hated) by the fans that he became an integral part of the series and is now a major player on the show.
That compelled me to make a list of new supporting characters who helped make their series better this season. Since my list only has 10 items and because I don't watch all current TV series, I will have missed tons of supporting characters, so feel free to add to the list by commenting below. However, note that I restricted my list to supporting characters that were introduced THIS season. So the Ben Linuses of the TV world are not on the list.
TV Squad: New Supporting Characters
10. Nina (Jenny Wade), 'Reaper'
Even if Nina was added to the Reaper cast only a few episodes ago, she already made her mark on the show. Her demonic presence is offering us a few new tidbits about how the demon world works out and if demons and humans can date. Nina also brings a tad of mystery to the show, as it is still unclear if she is dating Ben out of love or in order to get close to Sam and kill him.
Related Links
Jack Rowand, The CW
9. Eli James (Jamie Kennedy), 'Ghost Whisperer'
Eli's addition to the show brought loads of mixed feelings in the show's fandom, especially in the light of the departure of fan favorite Jay Mohr and the fact that Jaime Kennedy's acting wasn't very good in early episodes. Like him or not, Eli is a character who helps make the series better in the sense that he can hear the dead; thus being the only show's lead who can really help Melinda and allowing us to learn more about how these "ghost whisperer" gifts work.
Related Links
Monty Brinton, CBS
8. Dr. Neven Bell (Hector Elizondo), 'Monk'
Elizondo had big shoes to fill as the replacement of Dr. Kroger (played by Stanley Kamel who passed away last year). The change in therapist offered us a new take on Monk and his various problems. Dr. Bell especially shined in the submarine episode during which Monk is underwater trapped in an enclosed space. To cope with the freakiness of the situation, Monk created an imaginary Dr. Bell to counsel him through the entire mission; thus showing us that Monk had fully transferred his trust and belief from Kroger to Bell. Elizondo's relaxed and almost zen-like attitude is a perfect balance to Monk's manic antics.
Related Links
USA Network
7. Castiel (Misha Collins), 'Supernatural'
Castiel is a badass and mysterious character who added a new level to the show thanks to not only pulling Dean out of Hell but also not fitting the archetype of a sweet cuddly angel. Misha Collins' performance as this fire and brimstone angel just rocks, and fans can't wait to know everything there is to know about the character.
Related Links
Sergei Bachlakov, The CW
6. Janis Gold (Janeane Garofalo), '24'
Janis is pure gold to the show. She may not be the best new character on 24 this season, but you have to admit that the weird aura that surrounds her always makes you suspicious that she may be working for the bad guys. I must say that I thought she was the mole for a while due to her antics and weird deportment. 24 fans love Chloe O'Brien, so bringing in a new techie that would be on Chloe's footsteps and tracks was a good way to create drama, play with our emotions, and add mystery.
Related Links
Fox
5. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), 'Grey's Anatomy'
When Journeyman was canceled, I prayed that the TV Gods would find a role for talented actor Kevin McKidd. Luckily, the Gods -- aka Shonda Rhimes, in this case -- answered my prayers and hired McKidd to play recurring character Owen Hunt. Not only did Hunt's addition to the show provide new conflict amongst the hospital staff, but it gave Cristina a new man and added eye candy for the fans. Hunt was so well-received by the fans and his troubled character fit so well on the show that he has since been made a regular cast member to our viewing pleasure.
Related Links
ABC
4. Emile Danko aka The Hunter (Zeljko Ivanek), 'Heroes'
Many of us didn't like the first half of the Heroes season, but the addition of Ivanek as the mission-driven Danko was a welcome change. Even if we've seen Ivanek guest star in many series lately -- he shined as Damages' Ray Fiske -- his acting skills are so good that we totally buy him as the Hunter, the man employed to catch all heroes and make sure they stay captive. The character's motives are still a bit of a mystery which adds depth to the character. Danko's presence on the show gave us a new badass character to hate, as many of us have embraced Sylar even if he still is a bad guy.
Related Links
NBC
3. Emmett Milbarge (Tony Hale), 'Chuck'
What's not to love where Milbarge is concerned? Even if the Buy More staff is already a bit wacko, Milbarge adds a new level to this craziness. Tony Hale is clearly channeling his inner Buster Bluth when playing Emmett, because the two characters are as crazy, as freaky and as scared. However, Emmett can do one thing Buster couldn't: be in control. When Emmett is in charge, things always turn out funny to our enjoyment. If NBC renews the series, Emmett must become a permanent fixture.
Related Links
Adam Taylor, NBC
2. Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman), 'Smallville'
Cassidy Freeman had big and pricy shoes to fill when she took over the Luthor estate at the beginning of the current season. Thanks to solid acting and powerful scenes, she has become one of the best Smallville characters. Tess is as mission-driven as Lex was, and even if she recently had her eyes opened as to whom Lex really is/was, she follows in his footsteps as one of Clark's frenemies.
Related Links
Michael Courtney, The CW
1. Dave Williams/David Dash (Neal McDonough), 'Desperate Housewives'
DH's creator Marc Cherry and his writing team weren't always successful when introducing new characters, especially those who would be instrumental in the year-long mystery such as the Applewhites. But with Dave Williams, skillfully played by McDonnough, they hit the mark. Dave was key in bringing Edie back to Wisteria Lane for one more season. He also helped find a way to house Mike on the block -- meaning more James Denton eye candy for us -- he tricked and made people what he wanted to do thanks to his power of persuasion, and he created loads and loads of drama for all Wisteria Lane residents. His storyline was not only mysterious, but entertaining. Neal McDonnough deserves an award for his great acting in the role of a psycho motivational speaker.
Related Links
ABC
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
The TV Squad Podcast: The Prisoner, '80s TV, soap news and more
Let's talk about spoilers ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-01-2009 @ 2:29PM
Dorothy said...
What about Michael Weatherly from NCIS
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 6:10PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Michael Weatherly from NCIS is a main character. Even if he is "supporting" Gibbs, he doesn't fall into my category of new characters added this season.
4-01-2009 @ 2:36PM
Tom said...
For shame...overlooking John Noble as the crazed genius Dr. Walter Bishop on Fox's Fringe.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 6:10PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
You see Walter Bishop as a supporting character? I actually see him as the male lead. He overshadows everyone on the show! :D
4-01-2009 @ 2:46PM
Scott said...
I really hate this link-bait format, and won't read it. Why can't these be contained within a typical blog post? Oh, yeah, because then there wouldn't be 10 different opportunities to show ads.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 6:55PM
scott said...
this scott agrees with that scott.
4-01-2009 @ 9:40PM
Donna said...
Me too. I only click onto these TV Squad list articles if I think it might interest me, but when I get to the article, if it means I have to further click on one of those slideshow things, I stop. I just don't care to bother with it. And this is one of them. If I hadn't decided at the last minute to reply to this comment, I would have already hit the back button and been on my merry way.
If they will bother giving us a real LIST, then I might stop and comment on the list.
4-01-2009 @ 2:49PM
Matt said...
Dorothy and Tom, she said new characters on existing shows. I'd include the McCoy's on Friday Night Lights because they brought new story lines for the existing cast to play off like Coach, Saracen, and Riggins.
Reply
4-08-2009 @ 9:32AM
Heather said...
I agree. Although the McCoys weren't really likeable characters, without them I doubt this year's season of Friday Night Lights would have been as interesting.
4-01-2009 @ 2:50PM
Peanut said...
I agree with Scott. I read #10, but I'm not going to click nine more times to see a list that should have been on one page.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 3:00PM
Canadianfoodiegirl said...
Is there anything that Hector Elizondo can't make better? I adore him because he's usually a supporting character rather than the lead, but get so much work. He brings "support" to "supporting character" (as in, supports the leads, helps make the film or TV show better). He's the recognizable "that guy".
I thought that I watch a lot of TV but I don't watch most of those shows.
(And ditto what Scott said about preferring these being embedded.)
@Tom: Since the theme is new supporting characters and Fringe is a new show I don't think John Noble qualifies. The entire cast is new.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 3:10PM
Jordan Running said...
Ben Linus, anybody?
Also, Scott above makes a very good point. This format is very reader-unfriendly and serves only to boost ad dollars.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 3:18PM
0megapart!cle said...
I think you could argue that on Dollhouse, it is the supporting characters that carry the show, because of the lack of acting chops of the main lead.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 4:02PM
Nick said...
The inclusion Leon Black in Curb your Enthusiasm? How did that not make the list?
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 4:02PM
Rich said...
Andrew Bernard needs to be on this list
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 4:18PM
RobynM said...
I've gotta disagree with Emmett from Chuck - every time I see him, I think "Isn't he gone yet?'.
And yet again, the slideshow format bites. I know, we were told "it's not going away" (I don't remember by whom), but honestly, all you're doing is alienating your reader base.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 6:10PM
Joel Keller said...
You were told that by me. And they're not going away. They're just not. Not sure how doing it this way for one post out of 60-70 posts in any given week "alienating" our readers, considering there's plenty of other posts to read.
Anyway, do you have any suggestions on how we can help folks out who can't or don't want to access the slideshow (without removing the slideshow... again, they're not going anywhere)? Or are you folks just content to complain?
4-01-2009 @ 7:01PM
scott said...
Even just a numbered list of the characters and the shows you're referring to in the pictures about with no further explanation (i.e. the picture captions) after the break and under the slideshow would be helpful, Joel. That way those of us that don't want to click thru it all can at least get the gist of the items on the list other than the single one we can see and we could contribute more to the comments than just bitching about the format. :)
p.s. for what it's worth, these things always seem to slow down my firefox browser - that plus being at work are the reasons i don't enjoy the format. it just bugs me sometimes cause i'm interested in the topic, and often can't really participate.
4-01-2009 @ 8:59PM
Scott H said...
Joel, the "all you guys do is complain" thing really doesn't work. This is a blog--it's a 2-way interaction between contributors and readers. You're hearing, very clearly, that readers don't like this. If you choose to ignore it, "all you do is force stuff on us we don't want". There, back at you.
Seriously, how hard is it to reach the conclusion to put the list below the slideshow? You have to ask us if we have anything meaningful to contribute? Isn't that approach obvious? Or, if you want regular readers to skip posts that interest them, just keep doing it the same way. In fact, expand it to more posts and you can get rid of these pesky readers telling you what they want and just keep the sheep.
4-01-2009 @ 9:15PM
Joel Keller said...
Scott, what's so wrong for asking for suggestions on how to improve things? It's more constructive than just complaining. Also, you have to keep in mind that there's a handful of people complaining compared to the thousands of people reading this post. Not that I'm dismissing who's complaining, but I need to keep some perspective. That's why I'm asking for suggestions.