10 TV Show Characters Who Carried The Entire Series on Their Backs

Some TV shows are memorable not because of their storylines or cinematography, but because of that one standout performer who steals every scene they’re in. These scene-stealers aren’t just fun to watch; they become the backbone of the whole series.

While many shows rely on ensemble casts where everyone pulls their weight, there’s something special about those characters who capture lightning in a bottle. Some were meant to be stars from day one, while others were supposed to be minor players who unexpectedly became fan favorites. Either way, these performers didn’t just elevate their shows, and in many cases, they saved them from being forgotten entirely. Here’s our rundown of ten TV characters (both main characters and beloved side characters) who basically carried entire series on their shoulders.

Related: 10 Popular TV Characters That Weren’t Part of the Original Cast

10 Walter White in Breaking Bad

Remember when Bryan Cranston was just “the dad from Malcolm in the Middle“? Yeah, that changed fast. His transformation into the terrifying Heisenberg is one of TV’s most jaw-dropping character evolution ever. Sure, Breaking Bad had a killer supporting cast, but the whole show lived and died on Walter White’s journey from sympathetic science teacher to cold-blooded drug kingpin. Even when characters like Gus Fring showed up and knocked it out of the park, it was always Walt’s moral nosedive that kept us glued to our screens. Cranston’s performance was so good it snagged him multiple Emmys, and he somehow made us root for Walt even when he was doing absolutely horrible things.

9 Omar Little in The Wire

“Omar comin’!” Those two words were enough to send characters scrambling and viewers to the edge of their seats. Michael K. Williams’ portrayal of Baltimore’s shotgun-wielding, drug-dealer-robbing Robin Hood wasn’t just good, but iconic. The guy barely had any screen time compared to other characters, but when Omar whistled “The Farmer in the Dell” while strolling down the street, you knew something incredible was about to happen. The character was so magnetic that even President Obama called him his favorite character on the show. Despite starting as a supporting role, Omar became the face of The Wire for many viewers, and in later seasons, became a main character.

8 Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul

Talk about a character with staying power! Bob Odenkirk’s sleazy lawyer started as comic relief in Breaking Bad but proved so entertaining that he scored his own show. And what’s wild is that Better Call Saul wasn’t just good, but many fans argue it’s as good as (or better than) the original series. What was initially envisioned as a comedic take evolved, with Odenkirk showing incredible range as we watched Jimmy McGill’s slow, painful transformation into the morally bankrupt Saul. The prequel’s success rested entirely on Odenkirk’s shoulders, and he didn’t just carry it, but took it to new heights, proving this character was way more than just the funny guy in the colorful suits.

7 Ruth Langmore in Ozark

“I don’t know sh*t about f*ck” became an instant classic TV line thanks to Julia Garner’s phenomenal performance as Ruth Langmore. While Ozark was supposed to be the Marty and Wendy Byrde show, it was Ruth who stole practically every scene she was in. Her thick Missouri accent, fierce intelligence, and take-no-prisoners attitude made her the character fans couldn’t stop talking about. Garner’s performance was so good she snagged back-to-back Emmys. Despite Jason Bateman and Laura Linney being the headliners, it was Ruth’s journey that packed the biggest emotional punch. By the final season, she’d completely eclipsed the ostensible leads to become the heart and soul of the entire series.

6 Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Andre Braugher’s deadpan delivery as Captain Holt gave us some of the funniest moments in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The man could get a belly laugh just by saying “hot damn” with minimal facial movement. While the show had plenty of funny characters, Holt’s robot-like demeanor and unexpected one-liners consistently delivered the biggest laughs. But what made Holt truly special was the depth Braugher brought to him—his experiences as a gay Black officer who fought discrimination his entire career added layers that made him much more than just the stern boss. His growing father-figure relationship with Jake Peralta became the emotional backbone of the series, and honestly, the show wouldn’t have been half as good without Braugher’s perfect comedic timing.

5 Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother

While Ted was technically the main character in How I Met Your Mother, his character often came off as boring or annoying. Barney Stinson, in contrast, easily stole the spotlight. What could have been a one-dimensional womanizer became the show’s most complex and interesting character, with Harris bringing surprising vulnerability beneath Barney’s slick exterior. His catchphrases became part of pop culture, and viewers ended up way more invested in Barney’s growth than in Ted’s endless search for “the one.” The suit-loving character was so popular that the writers kept finding ways to put him front and center.

4 Castiel in Supernatural

Misha Collins’ trench-coated angel Castiel was only supposed to appear in six episodes of Supernatural, but fans loved him so much that he became part of the show’s core. Introduced in Season 4, Castiel quickly became a fan favorite whose popularity helped boost the show. His hilariously literal interpretations of human customs and his profound bond with Dean Winchester added whole new dimensions to the show. Collins brought such gravitas and awkward charm to the role that despite Supernatural‘s habit of killing characters off (sometimes repeatedly), Castiel kept coming back. His confused head-tilt and deadpan delivery of lines like “I don’t understand that reference” never got old, and his presence transformed the show from a story about two brothers into something much richer.

3 Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation

Nick Offerman’s meat-loving, government-hating Ron Swanson wasn’t supposed to steal Parks and Recreation, but that’s exactly what happened. While Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope was technically the lead, Offerman’s masterful delivery of lines about breakfast food and woodworking created some of TV’s most quotable moments. What started as a one-note joke—a libertarian working in government—evolved into a wonderfully nuanced character (like his secret identity as smooth jazz saxophonist Duke Silver). Ron’s grudging friendship with Leslie and his surprising emotional growth gave the show its best moments, and his mustache practically deserved its own credit in the opening titles.

2 Steve Urkel in Family Matters

If we’re talking about supporting characters taking over shows, Steve Urkel is the all-time champion. Jaleel White’s suspender-wearing nerd wasn’t even in the original concept of em>Family Matters. After his first appearance, Urkel’s nasal “Did I do that?” became so popular that the entire family sitcom warped to accommodate more Urkel-centric plots. White was so dominant that he eventually played multiple characters, including Urkel’s smooth alter-ego Stefan Urquelle.

1 Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli in Happy Days

Before there was Urkel, there was The Fonz. Henry Winkler’s leather-jacketed cool guy Arthur Fonzarelli is one of the most famous examples of a supporting character hijacking a show. Happy Days was supposed to focus on Ron Howard’s Richie Cunningham, but Winkler’s charismatic performance made Fonzie an instant sensation. The Fonz’s thumbs-up, his “Ayyy!” catchphrase, and his magical ability to start jukeboxes with a punch became cultural phenomena. The character grew so popular that producers kept featuring him more prominently, eventually making him a central character. In fact, Fonzie became so dominant that he spawned the term “jumping the shark” after that infamous episode where he literally jumped over a shark on water skis.