10 Breakout TV Characters Who Went From Bit Parts To Series Regulars
7. Andy Bernard (The Office)
It’s impossible to picture cult-classic TV show The Office without Andy Bernard. However, if production had stuck to the original script, we’d have said goodbye to the Cornell University alum much earlier.
Bernard, played by Ed Helms, was set to appear in a mere 10 episodes and, though Andy was a polarizing character on The Office, Helms received praise left and right for his portrayal of the constantly singing, Halo-loving, and prank-overreacting Dunder Mifflin employee.
You can thank show creator Greg Daniels for keeping the dysfunctional paper sales rep on the series for longer than intended. The two hit it off, with the writer praising Helms for being "so funny and a great improviser," before promoting him to a series regular.
The cast of The Office is iconic, but while its revolving-door approach made it so expansive and memorable, it took a lot to become really part of the gang - and Andy achieved just that.