10 Best TV Characters Who You Never Actually Got To See

Everyone knows the old adage that what you don't know can't hurt you. Well, many TV shows like to chuck out their own version of the phrase, but it goes a little more like this; characters you don't see can still impress you. Yes, sometimes a character's writing is so good that they don't even need to be on screen to have an impact.

Plenty of shows explore the trope of an unseen figure, who only appears in the show through mention and (sometimes) off-screen vocals. It's a unique way to play with humour and can fill a show with plenty of mystery. A person's imagination is one of the most robust story-making tools on the planet, so utilising it is a clever way to spice things up.

You'd think never getting to meet a figure in a series would make them insignificant, but oftentimes, a character's unseen nature can make them all the more endearing. That's a philosophy that these following examples used to the fullest, as while these characters never got any screen time, they still felt like fully fleshed out parts of their respective series'.

The US Office was filled from desk to desk with some of the most likeable characters in sitcom history. But lurking in the shadows of Scranton was a darker threat than Michael's obnoxiousness or Dwight's obsession with bears, known as The Scranton Strangler.

This unseen character was referenced consistently in the show. They made their debut in a newspaper clipping bought by Andy stating "Scranton Strangler Strikes Again" and even acted as the basis for Toby's jury duty.

The Strangler was a hilarious menace that gave the show a chance to play with darker humour, such as the office practising neck protection and Dwight dressing as them for Halloween.

Now, there's actually a chance viewers caught a glimpse of the dreaded killer, as a popular fan theory suggests it was none other than Toby Flenderson. There are plenty of clues to support the idea - such as his absence during the Strangler's car chase and refusal to enter a church. However, as fun (?) as the concept is, it doesn't have firm legs to stand on and is pretty much all hearsay.

For now, the Scranton Strangler remains at large, unseen by viewers and authorities, waiting to strike again.