10 TV Side Characters We Loved More Than The Main Character

A successful TV series is only as good as its supporting characters, as they provide the perfect backdrop for the protagonist as they continue their journey.

The kooky characters who cross paths with the lead can so easily make the starring role all the more compelling, as their character development is bolstered by other well-written contemporaries to bounce off from time to time. Yet ultimately, no matter how interesting they are, they are still simply that: side characters. That's not to say that certain roles can't overshadow the star of the show, however.

Be it due to stunning performances or compelling writing, there are a plethora of characters who slip through the cracks, quickly becoming more revered by audiences than the one at the centre of it all. They don't necessarily make the protagonist less interesting or tougher to root for, but they undoubtedly capture the hearts of audiences in a way that the main character never could.

From lovably sinister baddies and silver-tongued opportunists, to wholesome, blissful naivety, these side characters were far more lovable than they had any right to be.

If there was ever a show to lift your lockdown woes, it's the undeniably uplifting Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The four season-long Netflix programme, created by the supremely talented Tina Fey, can make a grey day the brightest of the week in minutes with its lovable cast and catchy opening theme.

Kimmy spent most of her life in exile from the outside world, and her child-like wonder at all things mundane constantly warmed the hearts of those who gave the series a shot. Ellie Kemper's infectious smile makes her role as the titular Kimmy Schmidt one of the most lovable TV protagonists in recent years, yet Kimmy only manages to win the runner-up prize in lovability on her own show, as roommate Titus Andromedon steals the spotlight on so many occasions.

Andromedon is incredibly self-indulgent and fabulously flamboyant, the world being his stage and himself taking the part of the main character in his own story. However, Titus is far deeper than we perhaps would have expected, as the show explores his past and present in a way that's always amusing, yet surprisingly compelling.

There isn't a character in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt that you won't want to ugly hug in just a few short episodes, but Titus reigns supreme.