Television shows are known for their rigid format of lead character and supporting cast, right?
Wrong.
Many series, in fact, have had their leads usurped by those unscrupulous ‘secondary’ or ‘minor’ characters. Can’t blame actors for wanting more lines and more valuable screen time, after all.
If the audience like a character then the show’s makers are going to do everything they can to give them a bigger part. Business is business.
Here are 11 TV shows where the lead got Macbethed either by the audience or by the writers…
1. ‘The Companion’ – Doctor Who
Back in the old days, pre-2005 that is, Doctor Who was laden with companions galore but, for the most part, they were secondary to the show’s plots.
The very idea that a story could centre around one of the Doctor’s chums was ridiculous (with the exception of the Seventh Doctor and Ace) let alone naming an actual episode after a companion.
But this is what happened on the BBC sci-fi show on its return in the ’00s.
Russell T Davies shifted the focus and threw the companion – in this case Billie Piper’s Rose – into the time-traveling spotlight, naming the opening ep of the new era in honour of her.
Since then, countless stories and season-long arcs have converted themselves with the likes of Martha Jones, Donna Noble, Amy Pond and Clara. AND we get to meet their family too, something ‘classic’ Who just didn’t do.
Coming up next month, we’ll have the new TARDIS team which showrunner Chris Chibnall describes as an “ensemble feel”. So perhaps even less focus on the Doctor in series 11?
2. Sheldon – The Big Bang Theory
When the sitcom about a bunch of geeks in San Francisco started back in 2007, Johnny Galecki’s Leonard was the star as he tried to woo neighbour Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco.
But it’s Jim Parsons’ irritatingly neurotic Sheldon Cooper who took over in the eyes of both the audience and the show’s writers. After getting Leonard’s love-life sorted, The Big Bang Theory became a portal for everything Sheldon; including his own love life and web series, “Fun With Flags”.
Unfortunately, his popularity was such that his character has been given a prequel spin-off, Young Sheldon while The Big Bang Theory comes to an end next year.
3. Regina – Once Upon A Time
The devil has the best tunes, they say, and the seductively Satanical Lana Parrilla is no exception.
Her double role as Storybrooke’s Regina Mills and the Evil Queen began to overshadow the show’s lead character Emma Swan during the second season when the audience’s interest sat with the baddest of the bad.
Emma’s familial story was wrapped up neatly and quickly whilst the writers turned their attention to Regina and her more impressive and interesting redemption arc.
4. Nick Harper – My Family
Though he appeared in well under a half of the BBC sitcom about the Harper family, Kris Marshall’s layabout son Nick is the one that people remember.
So much of a breakout star was Marshall that he really did break out and left the show in its fifth series.
5. Fonzie – Happy Days
*Ayyyy!*
The ultimate minor character-turned-lead star.
US sitcom Happy Days was supposed to be about Richie Cunningham and his family. But Ron Howard’s naive schoolboy charm was eclipsed by his buddy Arthur Fonzarelli, aka The Fonz.
Ladies man and all-round – dare we say definitive – cool guy, Fonzie quickly became the focal point for the adventures in ’50s and ’60s Milwaukee with his motorbike skills and not-really-tough-guy persona.
Now generally considered one of TV’s greatest characters, it’s crazy to think he was once secondary to his co-stars.
And that’s not even mentioning guest character Mork, who ended up getting his own series.
6. Tim and Dawn – The Office
Ricky Gervais creation David Brent was very much THE star of the BBC mockumentary throughout its 14-episode run.
Sure, he got the most lines and the most screen time but by the time the second series came out, the audience’s allegiances and interests firmly lay in the will-they won’t-they relationship of Tim and Dawn.
Played by Martin Freeman and Lucy Davis respectively, their happy ending was the one we all wanted and towered all over everything (and everyone) else in the finale.
7. Troy and Abed – Community
Another memorable double act.
The morning-loving nerdy duo, played by Donald Glover (also known as Childish Gambino)and Danny Pudi, were in the backseat of the college-based sitcom whilst Joel McHale and Gillian Jacobs were at the wheel as the pivotal love interests.
But audiences began to find the antics of Glover and Pudi far more amusing, and the writers duly gave them more screen time for their niche lols and story arcs.
8. Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead
Unlike many characters in the zombie AMC series, Daryl didn’t feature in its comic book source, but that didn’t stop Dead Heads getting fully behind the crossbow-wielding biker.
Dixon’s planned death in the first season was postponed due to this popularity and, with the show now in its ninth season, many viewers plump for him over the show’s lead Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln).
A testament to the powerful performance from actor Norman Reedus, who claims that Grimes cannot be replaced.
9. Ari Gold – Entourage
The obnoxious sweary Hollywood agent became far more interesting than the dull shenanigans of fictional star Vincent Chase in HBO’s “Sex and the City for men”.
As the seasons progressed, Gold’s storylines and personality did too (though was still very much a prick), with more and more attention paid to his goings-on and dealings.
Pity the movie was so mind-numbingly abysmal.
10. Frasier Crane – Cheers
Brought in to counter Ted Danson’s womanising Sam Malone as love-competitor Dr Frasier Crane, Kelsey Grammer was an instant smash.
His planned few episode arc was extended, as was his part and the drinking doctor stayed with the sitcom until its demise in 1993.
In fact, Cheers wasn’t big enough for the psychiatrist and he swiftly and successfully moved on to his spin-off, Frasier (which ran for an impressive 11 seasons).
There is talk of more tossed salad and scrambled eggs with a possible reboot.
11. Smithy – Gavin and Stacey
With the greatest of respect to Mathew Horne and Joanna Page (both talented actors), it’s not likely that their titular characters are the ones that come to mind when thinking about the BBC comedy.
Without a doubt, it’s James Corden.
Now an international superstar with his own chat show (not to mention starring in Hollywood blockbusters like Ocean’s 8, The Emoji Movie and Peter Rabbit and its sequel), Corden played West Ham and corn-on-the-cob fan, Gavin’s best mate, Smithy.
The character has lived on passed the show, appearing in Sport Relief and Comic Relief specials and even recording the 2010 World Cup song for the England football team.
Sadly, there are no more episodes planned though co-creator and star Ruth Jones has been chatting with Corden about what the characters would be up to now.
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