Supporting Characters Who Took The Spotlight

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"Dwight Schrute"

Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) — The Office (US)
“Dwight Schrute” started as a quirky and ambitious paper salesman at Dunder Mifflin in ‘The Office (US)’. His eccentric personality and memorable moments made him a fan favorite. In 2013, he starred in his own spin-off called ‘The Farm’, which was centered around his life running Schrute Farms, his beet farm. Although the show's pilot aired as a part of ‘The Office’, the series was not picked up.

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'Frasier'

Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) — Cheers
“Dr. Frasier Crane”, a psychiatrist, was introduced as “Diane Chambers”' love interest in ‘Cheers’. “Frasier”'s character was refined and intelligent, providing a contrast to the bar's regulars. After ‘Cheers’ ended in 1993, Kelsey Grammer reprised his role in the highly successful spin-off ‘Frasier’, where “Frasier” moves back to his hometown of Seattle and starts a new life as a radio psychiatrist.

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"Peggy Carter"

Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) — Captain America: The First Avenger
“Peggy Carter”, a British agent and love interest of “Captain America”, first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’. After her initial appearance, she starred in her own television series, ‘Agent Carter’, which explored her adventures as a founding member of S.H.I.E.L.D. The show ran for two seasons and showcased “Peggy”'s intelligence and bravery in a male-dominated field.

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'Friends'

Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) — Friends
“Joey Tribbiani”, a lovable aspiring actor, was a central character in the popular sitcom ‘Friends’. His naive yet endearing personality won the hearts of viewers. After ‘Friends’ ended in 2004, “Joey” moved to Los Angeles in the spin-off ‘Joey’. The show focused on his acting career and personal life, although it received mixed reviews and was canceled after two seasons.

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"Saul Goodman"

Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) — Breaking Bad
“Saul Goodman”, a morally ambiguous lawyer, played a significant role in ‘Breaking Bad’ as “Walter White”'s attorney. His witty and cunning nature made him a standout character. In 2015, Bob Odenkirk reprised his role in the prequel spin-off ‘Better Call Saul’. The show delves into Saul's transformation from “Jimmy McGill”, a struggling lawyer, to the morally flexible attorney, “Saul Goodman”.

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STARZ Celebrates Premiere Of New Series "Heels" - Arrivals

Stephen Amell

Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) — Smallville
“Oliver Queen”, also known as the “Green Arrow”, appeared in later seasons of ‘Smallville’. His character was a billionaire playboy who moonlighted as a vigilante archer. After ‘Smallville’ ended in 2011, the character of “Oliver Queen” was portrayed by Stephen Amell in the series ‘Arrow’, which focused on the superhero's crime-fighting adventures in Star City.

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"Captain Jack Harkness"

Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) — Doctor Who
“Captain Jack Harkness”, a charming and omnisexual time-traveler, first appeared in ‘Doctor Who’ and later became a central character in its spin-off series ‘Torchwood’. In ‘Torchwood’, “Jack” leads a team of investigators dealing with alien technology and threats. The show explored darker and more mature themes within the ‘Doctor Who’ universe.

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"Daryl Dixon"

Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) — The Walking Dead
“Daryl Dixon”, a skilled hunter and survivor, was a fan-favorite character in ‘The Walking Dead’. The series has five spin-offs, “Daryl” being a main character in ‘The Walking Dead: Origins’, and ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’. The series aired on September 10.

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Valerie Bertinelli

Melanie Moretti (Valerie Bertinelli) — Hot in Cleveland
“Melanie Moretti” was a character in the sitcom ‘One Day at a Time’ in the late '70s and early '80s. Valerie Bertinelli portrayed “Melanie”, the daughter of the main character. In 2010, Bertinelli starred as “Melanie” in ‘Hot in Cleveland’, a show about three past-their-prime entertainment industry veterans who relocate to Cleveland, Ohio. The series was well-received and ran for six seasons.

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"Mickey Mouse"

Mickey Mouse (Various Voice Actors) — Steamboat Willie
“Mickey Mouse”, the iconic animated character created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, made his debut in the animated short film ‘Steamboat Willie’. Over the years, “Mickey” became the face of Disney and appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and theme park attractions. While he doesn't have a specific spin-off movie or show, “Mickey Mouse” has been featured in various standalone shorts and series, continuing to entertain audiences of all ages.

In the vast landscape of television and cinema, certain characters become so iconic that they outgrow their initial narratives, stepping into the spotlight with stories uniquely their own. This phenomenon, where a beloved side character evolves into the protagonist of their own show or movie, is a testament to the depth of storytelling and the power of character development in the entertainment world.

Favorite characters in main roles

We trace their origins in their respective parent shows or movies and follow their trajectories into the realm of spin-offs, witnessing how these characters, initially crafted as supporting cast, carved out their own unique spaces in the entertainment universe.