15 TV Characters who were meant to be temporary but became iconic

There are a lot of TV characters that are much loved now but started off with temporary guest appearances. Their roles weren’t considered anything special, but their screen presence was so enthralling that screenwriters were forced to write them for the shows. With their top-notch acting skills, sharp dialogue delivery, and a lot of love from the audience, they went on to change the fate of the characters they were cast as.

Here is a list of 15 such TV characters who were meant to be temporary but went on to become iconic.

15) Odafin Tutuola (Law and Order)

Actor Ice-T plays Detective Odafin Tutuola in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. He was originally introduced as a temporary supporting character but he managed to awe the audience. Unlike other characters on the show, he brought in a unique personality mixed with his strict attitude. He was sharp and witty, and moreover Actor Ice-T’s personal touches to the character made the role iconic.

14) Andy Bernard (The Office)

Can you imagine The Office without Andy Bernard? He was originally brought on in season 3 of the show as a minor character for a temporary period of time. But his over-enthusiastic attitude and preppy nature made him a hit. Moreover, the vulnerability and insecurities of his character made him resonate even more with the audience.

13) Captain Hook (Once Upon a Time)

Actor Colin O’Donoghue played the role of Captain Hook in the series Once Upon a Time. When he was brought into the show, it was just as a villain for season 2. However, his chemistry with the main character, Emma, made him an integral part of the show. Originally focusing on revenge, he transitioned into a character looking for redemption and became the show's core character.

12) Mike Ehrmantraut (Breaking Bad)

When Mike Ehrmantraut entered the show Breaking Bad in its second season, it was to fix the plot holes. He was supposed to act as a fixer and a cleaner of Saul Goodman’s messes. However, his efficient and calm attitude and moral compass made him central to the show. So much so that when he passes away in season 5 of the show, the audience was immediately shocked and emotional.

11) Summer Roberts (The OC)

When Summer Roberts was introduced in the show, it was for a brief period. She was just a supporting character to the main protagonist Marissa Cooper. However, her chemistry with another protagonist, Seth, caught the eyes of the audience and the screenwriters. They had an opposite attracts charm, with Summer being confident and sassy while Seth was awkward and nerdy. This transitioned her from a supporting role to being one of the core cast members.

10) Luke Danes (Gilmore Girls)

Can you imagine Gilmore Girls without Luke or his diner? It's impossible. Initially, because of their banter, Luke Danes was supposed to be Lorelai's casual love interest and a comic relief. So much so that he was written as a woman in the original script, but his stoic attitude and dependability became a fan favorite and cemented his position for the seven seasons of the show.

9) Arizona Robbins (Grey’s Anatomy)

Dr. Arizona joined Grey’s Anatomy for season five as a replacement for another character. But her optimistic, quirky personality brought the much-needed light-hearted energy to the show. Moreover, her relationship with Callie added an LGBTQ+ representation to the show, which was widely appreciated by the audience. Thus, she became a central part of the show.

8) Andy Dwyer (Parks and Recreation)

Chris Pratt’s legendary role as Andy Dwyer was intended to be temporary. He was written in the script just for the first season of the show. Originally, he was supposed to be Anna’s love interest, which she moves on from eventually. However, Chris Pratt has a natural charisma and comedic timing, which makes him quite endearing. He added a lot of improvisations to the character of Andy and managed to land him a permanent role on the show.

7) Jack Shephard (Lost)

When Matthew Fox was cast in Lost as Jack Shepherd, he was meant to last just for the pilot episode, with his character dying by the end of it. However, Matthew Fox portrayed the character with such authenticity, attributing qualities like responsibility and sacrifice to him, that the writers found themselves able to change the script. From lasting just for the pilot episode, he turned into the main driving force of the show.

6) Sue Sylvester (Glee)

Sue Sylvester in Glee was supposed to be a temporary antagonist. But Jane Lynch, the actress playing Sue, managed to change the character's fate with her talent. Her crude remarks and insults, delivered with sharpness and sarcasm, made her popular among the audience. But despite these quirks, she managed to portray a vulnerability to the character, which showed the writer's potential for her future,e making her a permanent part of the show.

5) Elijah Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries)

Elijah Mikaelson, the original vampire, started off as a short-term villain for season 2 of The Vampire Diaries. He initially planned to appear for just a few episodes, but he brought a new angle to vampires with his polished mannerisms and strong moral code. This earned him a central position in Vampire Diaries and a spin-off titled ‘The Originals.’

4) Fonzie (Happy Days)

One of the most iconic TV characters was in the show Happy Days - Fonzie. Played by Henry Winkler, Fonzie was just supposed to be a cool biker as a cultural nod to the 1950s. However, his catchphrases and signature style soon became a fan favorite, making him the most popular person on the show, thus changing his status from temporary to permanent.

3) Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)

Steve Harrington in Stranger Things was just supposed to be a rude, arrogant boyfriend to Nancy Wheeler before she found her true love. In fact, his death in Season 1 was already written. However, Joe Keery, who portrayed this character, brought in such intense charisma that fans became obsessed with him. With incredible 90s hair and driving a vintage car, the writers finally saw potential in him for redemption and growth, making him an integral character.

2) Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

The iconic character of Spike entered season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a villain meant to die quite soon. But his sarcastic one-liners and sizzling enemies-to-lovers chemistry with Buffy became a potent force that couldn’t be ignored. He had a morally grey charm to him, which made him the hero of the show. From a ruthless vampire, he transformed into a savior, and his role has made a dent in the genre of vampire pop culture.

1) Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)

Jesse Pinkman’s role in Breaking Bad was initially limited to introducing Walter White to the world of crime. But, the unexpected rapport he developed with the character of Walter became an important highlight of the show. The audience loved Their partnership so much that the writers felt the necessity of making that emotional bond last and thus made his character permanent.