Top 10 Best Additions To A TV Cast Ever

“The Walking Dead” (2010-22)

This zombie series has a few human antagonists during its long run, but Negan casts a long shadow over all of them. While his introduction proved controversial, Negan quickly proved to be the shakeup the show required. He makes for an unsettlingly charismatic villain, putting the protagonists through the ringer with a smile and a joke, seemingly energized by their misery. Even after his imprisonment, actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan brings his A-game, revealing Negan’s hidden depths and his journey to redemption being every bit as riveting as any of the heroes’.

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000-)

Larry David’s style of observational humor works wonderfully when he has someone to bounce off of or indulge in his skewed understanding of social situations. But it isn’t until six seasons in that “Curb Your Enthusiasm” delivered the perfect counterpoint to him - Leon Black. Leon’s unlikely friendship with Larry leads to plenty of the show’s usual awkward situations. While Leon is just as offbeat and weird as Larry is, Leon bulldozing his way through societal norms somehow works out for him, unlike his buddy. Leon may bring out the worst in Larry sometimes, but that also makes for the best comedy.

“The Wire” (2002-08)

There are plenty of villains to be found in this series centered around Baltimore and its criminal underworld. So when the relatively young Marlo Stanfield arrives on the scene, as the up-and-coming drug kingpin, it’s impressive that he manages to hold his own among the more experienced organizations. In fact, to some degree, he manages to be even more violent than his peers. Marlo is utterly ruthless and unwilling to tolerate any disrespect. His cold, intelligent demeanor serves him well in his many conflicts with his rivals as he seeks more and more power. Marlo’s uncaring and power-hungry nature serves as a human example of the heartless systems that pervade much of “The Wire.”

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

Although Game of Thrones has several lately arriving players that were tempting, Oberyn Martell in particular, our pick goes to Brienne of Tarth. Westeros is full of self-interested and conniving characters. But the arrival of Brienne, a woman warrior with more knightly qualities than nearly every man, is a breath of fresh air. Her integrity, skill in battle, and downright wholesomeness elevates nearly everyone around her. Brienne’s character arc proves among the most satisfying in the series. While the show’s final season got a lot wrong, you can’t tell us that Brienne getting knighted didn’t bring you joy!

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

Buffy and her Scooby Gang are entertaining enough in the show’s first season. But season 2 is when Spike arrives, and boy does he make an impression! Initially a bad boy would-be Big Bad, Spike gradually becomes a reluctant ally of Buffy and her friends, and then a not-so-reluctant one. Spike’s brutal honesty, surprising emotional depths, and incredibly funny remarks quickly endeared him to fans. Spike has chemistry with nearly every character, and his relationship with Buffy in particular brings out a new side of both of them - for better and for worse. Even so, many viewers can’t imagine Buffy, the show or the vampire slayer, without Spike.

“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)

The first few seasons of “Parks and Rec” are a little rough. But arguably the turning point is the introduction of 2 characters. While Chris Traeger is an adorable bundle of positivity, his auditing bro Ben Wyatt is our pick. Ben initially clashes with protagonist Leslie Knope, but their similar love for government blossoms into a mutual love that’s as heartwarming as it is adorkable. And it isn’t just Leslie that Ben works well with. He’s a great straight-man to the more zany members of the cast, acting like an exasperated older brother to his more immature colleagues. Ben just does so well that it’s hard to believe he failed at being a mayor, even if he was 18.

“Cheers” (1982-93)

When your two leads are in a “will-they, won’t-they” relationship, inevitably there will be romantic rivals for one or the other. Frasier Crane is initially introduced as one of these in Sam and Diane’s endless dance. Erudite, stuffy, and sophisticated, Frasier is everything Sam isn’t. However, even after the end of his and Diane’s relationship, Frasier stuck around. And we’re so glad he did! The fussy, neurotic psychiatrist has been a fixture of television off and on for decades since his introduction, thanks to his spin-off series. Frasier isn’t the first character to be so good he got a spin-off of his own - and he won’t be the last we’ll be talking about either!

“Lost” (2004-10)

In another life, we would’ve chosen the dashing Scotsman Desmond Hume from the same show. But we can’t help but love a good villain! Benjamin Linus is the manipulative, mercurial leader of the inhabitants of the mysterious island “Lost” is set on. Rarely willing to tell the truth when a lie will do, Ben revels in being two steps ahead. But as loathsome as he can be, Ben is surprisingly sympathetic, and his interactions with some characters bring out his inner humanity - as well as plenty of sarcasm. Michael Emerson’s masterful performance always has us guessing what Ben will do next.

“Breaking Bad” (2008-13)

The second season of this crime drama introduces some of TV’s finest supporting characters. And while Gus Fring and Mike Ehrmantraut were so close to making it instead, we thought it better to call Saul. Television’s greatest criminal criminal lawyer, Saul Goodman hires himself as Walter White’s consigliere, hooking him and his partner Jesse Pinkman up with criminal connections, legal advice, and plenty of colorful metaphors. Bob Odenkirk is absolutely magic in the role, deftly balancing Saul’s wit, sleazy self-interest, and long-buried better nature to create one of the best side characters…ever! It’s no wonder they gave him his own show!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

An Offhand Remark in “Breaking Bad” Led to This Terrifying & Charismatic Villain

Who Knew the Winchesters Needed a Trenchcoat Angel Bestie?

Jon Bernthal Kills It & Nearly Stole the Show!

Her Exact Nerd Girl Energy Is Just What the Show Needed

The New Girl in Hawkins Turned Out to Be Just What the Party Needed

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-)

It can be easy to forget, given how long the show has been on the air, but Frank Reynolds didn’t join the show until season 2. The stepfather of Dennis and Dee, Frank proves that his unhinged children are, if anything, watered down versions of his own dysfunction! Despite Danny DeVito joining the cast mainly to increase the show’s fame, he fits right in, and Frank’s wild, untamed behavior often causes many of the disasters the gang find themselves in. Fond of drug use, guns, and sex workers, Frank is a chaotic gremlin of a man who is impossibly entertaining!