6 Supporting TV Characters Who Stole The Show (And 3 Who Never Should Have)

1. Carol Peletier - The Walking Dead

If you want to see a fine piece of natural character development play out before your very eyes, then you won't have to look any further than The Walking Dead's Carol Peletier.

Back when the long-running TV series began, Carol was an oppressed wife, suffering the wrath of an abusive husband in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Yeah, it goes without saying that times were tough for her and, although she worried, doubted and faltered, she weathered every storm life threw at her in those first few episodes - and came out the other end a stronger person.

Hardened by life experiences that ocurred long before the dead rose, Carol was more cut out for the world than anyone gave her credit for. Thus, as others rebelled and loudly kicked ass, she quietly evolved into the most badass, ruthless and effective character on the show - and, yes, even more so than protagonist Rick Grimes.

There are no back doors with Carol, as she knows exactly what needs to be done in order to survive this brave new world, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Initially one of the 'most likely characters to die before the end of the first season', she's now one of the few originals left on the show, and is one of the only ones likely to make it to the very end - now that's character development for you.

Speaking of The Walking Dead, now it's time for the supporting characters who stole their show in a different way altogether...