10 Iconic TV Characters Who Survived Much Longer Than Planned

by

In the process of creating extended TV series, unexpected twists often occur, but occasionally, alterations made during filming prove advantageous for certain characters. Over time, numerous well-known and significant TV characters, some we can’t picture without on our screens, were not initially meant to last as long as they did. Some were planned to be written out, let go from their parts, or limited to minor roles, but their enduring popularity, impressive performances, and character development led to their continued presence.

It’s tough to envision some iconic TV shows without their key characters, and we’re grateful that they continued on their journeys far beyond what was initially planned. For instance, could you imagine “Breaking Bad” without Jesse Pinkman or “Stranger Things” without Steve Harrington? Both were slated to perish in the first season of their shows, but they have since become staples of their respective series. Add characters like “Cheers'” Frasier Crane, “The Walking Dead’s” Carol Peletier, and “Lost’s” Jack Shephard to the mix, and this list becomes quite astonishing.

Notable characters who extended their stays on their respective shows include Sue Sylvester from “Glee” (portrayed by Jane Lynch), who was initially unavailable due to another pilot conflict, Captain Hook from “Once Upon a Time” (played by Colin O’Donoghue), who initially joined for only a handful of episodes, Andy Bernard from “The Office” (performed by Ed Helms), who originally agreed to appear in just ten episodes, and President Jed Bartlet from “The West Wing” (played by Martin Sheen). Each of these characters ended up staying longer than anticipated, and their contributions significantly enhanced the success of their shows.

10) Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad

From 2008 to 2013, the television show “Breaking Bad” was widely praised by critics, and Aaron Paul’s portrayal of Jesse Pinkman was often a standout feature. Initially intended to meet his end in a failed drug deal at the end of season 1, Jesse managed to survive the series’ five seasons. This unexpected longevity allowed Bryan Cranston’s character, Walter White, to be tormented by guilt instead of being propelled forward by Jesse’s death. The compelling dynamic between Paul and Cranston convinced the show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, to keep Jesse alive, a decision for which we are still thankful.

9) William “Spike” Pratt in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

As a cinephile, I must confess that Spike, with his Billy Idol-esque blonde locks, dark leather trench coat, and a wit sharper than a stake, quickly stole the spotlight in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” during season 2’s “School Hard.” Initially, James Marsters was slated for just five appearances before his untimely demise; Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her fans were devastated when Angel (David Boreanaz) delivered the fatal blow. However, Spike’s charm and allure led to a surprising turn of events—he was promoted to series regular, becoming an unexpected ally and love interest for Buffy, even making appearances in the spinoff, “Angel,” and sparking discussions about his own potential spinoff film.

8) Hitchcock and Scully in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

During the eight-season span of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Dirk Blocker’s Michael Hitchcock and Joel McKinnon Miller’s Norm Scully emerged as beloved characters at the 99th precinct. Despite their clumsy, inefficient, lazy, and avaricious nature, Hitchcock and Scully were also compassionate individuals who frequently provided humorous and crucial contributions to the efficient functioning of the precinct. Initially, they were intended for only four episodes of the cop-sitcom, similar to Daniels who didn’t survive beyond the pilot episode. However, after Chelsea Peretti left in season 6, Blocker and Miller were promoted to regular cast members and stayed until the poignant series finale.

7) Frasier Crane in Cheers

Kelsey Grammer’s character, Frasier Crane, debuted in the first part of “Rebound” during Cheers’ third season premiere and continued until the series finale. His popularity led to a standalone show, and later a less successful revival in 2023. Initially, Frasier was introduced as Diane Chambers’ new love interest after her split with Sam Malone (Ted Danson). It was planned for him to appear only in a few episodes, but his impressive performance by Grammer led the producers to keep him on, and he has since become one of TV’s most iconic characters.

6) Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood

HBO’s series “True Blood” was adapted from The Southern Vampire Mysteries novel series, with the second book, “Living Dead in Dallas,” starting off by killing off Lafayette Reynolds. However, Nelsan Ellis’ impressive acting in the first season of “True Blood” earned him critical praise, so they decided against his character’s death in the season 2 premiere. Instead, they utilized Lafayette to deepen and broaden Tara Thornton’s (Rutina Wesley) story, a cousin and Sookie Stackhouse’s childhood friend, and he became a significant character in his own right.

5) Steve Harrington in Stranger Things

Initially, Joe Keery’s character Steve Harrington in “Stranger Things” was intended to remain a villain throughout season 1, with some cruel actions making him seem irredeemable and destined for death in the finale, “The Upside Down.” However, Keery’s charm and compelling acting abilities led the Duffer brothers to expand Steve’s character beyond season 1. Now, Steve is a crucial figure in the series, and his role will likely be significant in the upcoming “Stranger Things” season 5.

4) Harley Quinn in Batman: The Animated Series

Originally conceived by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for a single episode (22) of “Batman: The Animated Series,” Harley Quinn was initially designed as a comical sidekick to the Joker. However, her unexpected appeal among viewers transformed her into a recurring character in the DC Animated Universe, eventually expanding her presence into comic books and live-action productions. Today, Harley Quinn is one of DC Comics’ most prominent figures, a status she may not have achieved had she been limited to just that one episode of “Batman: The Animated Series.

3) Carol Peletier in The Walking Dead

In the ongoing storyline of “The Walking Dead” series, just three individuals from the initial Atlanta survivor gang remain alive: Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln), Daryl Dixon (performed by Norman Reedus), and Carol Peletier (portrayed by Melissa McBride). Notably, Carol was initially intended to perish in season 3 of “The Walking Dead,” aligning more closely with her suicide at the prison as depicted in Robert Kirkman’s graphic novel series. Instead, T’Dog (played by IronE Singleton) met his end, and Carol has since grown into a crucial figure among the surviving group, even joining Daryl on an adventure across Europe in his spinoff show.

2) Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation

In the hit mockumentary sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” Chris Pratt’s character Andy Dwyer, who was initially just a guest star in season 1, garnered immense acclaim. Surprisingly, the producers had originally planned to write Andy off after season 1, following his break-up with Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones). However, Pratt’s side-splitting performances convinced them to keep him in the series. To maintain this, the creators of “Parks and Recreation” had to devise ways to link Andy’s character to the government-oriented storylines of later seasons. This led to Andy marrying Parks Department assistant April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza), a union that became one of TV’s most memorable romantic pairings.

1) Jack Shephard in Lost

In a remarkable turn of events, the hit TV show “Lost” catapulted its cast members to stardom, and Matthew Fox was no exception due to his compelling portrayal of Jack Shephard, a survivor and doctor from Oceanic Flight 815. Throughout the series, Fox embodied Jack, being the first face we encountered post-plane crash and the last we saw in the series finale titled “The End.” Interestingly enough, Jack was initially intended to perish in the show’s premiere episode, “Pilot (Part 1),” instead of Flight 815’s pilot, Seth Norris (Greg Grunberg), who met a tragic end at the hands of the Smoke Monster.

Initially, J.J. Abrams, one of the creators of “Lost”, planned for Michael Keaton to portray Jack Shephard in the series premiere, with the intention of having Jack die. However, since Keaton declined a long-term TV role, Fox was cast instead when it was decided that Jack would live. Had Jack died in the first episode, it would have been a shocking start for the series, but producers believed viewers wouldn’t enjoy the show if they liked Jack only to see him perish. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine “Lost” without Matthew Fox as Jack Shephard, so we’re grateful he stayed on beyond the pilot episode.

It would’ve been fascinating to explore Walter White grappling with guilt over Jesse’s demise, or delve into how Tara and Sookie handled Lafayette Reynolds’ passing, or witness Michael Keaton portray Jack Shephard in “Lost”. Nevertheless, we’re thrilled these characters stayed on their respective shows, as they were given the opportunity to evolve and transform over the years. This growth has turned many of them into some of TV’s most legendary, beloved, and iconic characters. The current TV landscape would lack depth and richness had they been written out before reaching such prominence.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/10-sitcom-characters-who-deserved-their-own-spin-offs/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-22 17:12