TV shows are beloved for crafting worlds populated by rich characters, each serving a distinct purpose and each propelling the plot forwards in interesting directions. Some lead the show season after season and become core characters we simply cannot live without. Others pop in and leave an indelible mark, their brief stay cementing their place in the history of the show.
Whether in comedy, dramas, thrillers, or other genres, TV utilizes these one-season wonders and allows them to weave their magic. From Arthur Mitchell in Dexter to Eddie Munson in Stranger Things, these characters are remembered for their powerful arcs and for elevating the show’s overall brilliance. This list takes a look at 10 TV characters who had fleeting appearances but were impactful to a show’s storyline and are forever embedded in the minds of devoted fans.
10 Allen Doyle – Angel
Played by Glenn Quinn in Season 1
Considering the legacy Buffy the Vampire Slayer left on pop culture, Angel had to do justice as a spin-off that is dark and brooding, explores different stages of adulthood, and pays homage to classical film noir. The series followed the titular character, a vampire cursed with a soul, as he seeks redemption for his sins by helping those in need. The show captured the supernatural underbelly of Los Angeles in a way no other show in the genre did. In the first season, David Boreanaz’s Angel is joined by a team of allies, including Allen Doyle, played by Glenn Quinn.
Half-human, half-demon seer, he has the ability to see prophetic visions. Doyle’s character was one of the three main characters in Angel and he quickly became a favorite due to his roguish charm, Irish wit, and deep sense of loyalty. He shared a budding romance with Cordelia Chase. But his time on the show was cut short when he sacrificed himself to save others and passed his visions to Cordelia. Doyle’s nine-episode presence was enough to cement his place in TV history.
9 Arthur Mitchell/Trinity Killer – Dexter
Played by John Lithgow in Season 4
A gripping eight-season long series that spawned a spin-off and a prequel series, Dexter follows Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter analyst who works for the Miami Metro Police Department by day and leads a double life as a vigilante who only murders other murders by night. In the fourth season, Dexter meets his match in Arthur Mitchell, also known as the Trinity Killer, portrayed by John Lithgow.
Arthur is a seemingly ordinary family man who has been living with a dark secret – he is responsible for murdering over 279 people and getting away every time. Lithgow delivered a bone-chilling performance as Arthur, portraying a killer so meticulous by sinking into the role that he exuded dread and intrigue. His interactions with Dexter were always tense, with Dexter admiring his ability to maintain a normal life while also satisfying his murderous urges.
Arthur was present in just one season, but he went down as Dexter’s most memorable villain. Lithgow also won a Golden Globe for his performance.
8 Francis Wolcott – Deadwood
Played by Garret Dillahant in Season 2
Francis Wolcott is one of those characters who reminds you they don’t need a multiple-season arc to leave an impression. In Deadwood, a gritty Western drama that portrays the lawless gold rush in the titular town during the late 1800s, Wolcott is a chief geologist working for the powerful mining magnate George Hearst. He arrives in town and mingles with the colorful inhabitants, but his mission is to acquire valuable claims for his employers – by fair means or foul.
Wolcott is a cruel and deeply unsettling character brought to life by Garret Dillahant’s chilling performance. As a matter of fact, Dillahant has been closely associated with the franchise; he played Jack McCall in the first season and was an unnamed character in Deadwood: The Movie. But it was his turn as Wolcott that stayed with fans. Some memorable moments included his dealings with Cy Tolliver as well as his eventual downfall, which marked an end to his arc.
7 Oberyn Martel – Game of Thrones
Played by Pedro Pascal in Season 4
Game of Thrones, the groundbreaking fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, was a global hit back when it first arrived on HBO. It won widespread acclaim for its sprawling narrative and maintaining an air of intrigue. It follows the power struggles of nine noble families as they all fought for control over the Iron Throne.
Throughout the series, several characters came and went. Two prominent ones among them were Sean Bean’s Ned Stark and Pedro Pascal’s Oberyn Martell. Ned found himself beheaded in the first season itself. Whereas, Oberyn arrived on screen in Season 4.
A skilled warrior known as the Red Viper, Oberyn Martel arrived in King’s Landing seeking vengeance against the Lannisters, who were responsible for the death of his sister. Otherwise known for his roles in shows like Narcos and The Last Of Us, Pascal brought a magnetic charm to Oberyn’s thirst for revenge. His duel with Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, was a memorable moment from the season. It led to his death, which was shocking, but it underscored the unpredictable nature of Game of Thrones.
6 Richie Aprile – The Sopranos
Played by David Proval in Season 2
A highly influential crime drama that’s also credited with kickstarting the Second Golden Age of Television, The Sopranos delved into the life of Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mob boss who juggled the demands of his dysfunctional crime family as well as his personal life.
Spanning six seasons and over a dozen main characters, the show also had some unforgettable antagonists. One of them was Richie Aprile, a ruthless and volatile capo in the DiMeo crime family played by David Proval, who arrived in Season 2.
Fresh out of a 10-year stint in prison, he brought with him an unpredictable nature. Despite being ambitious, Richie’s greed, narcissism, and lack of remorse drove him to paralyze DiMeo/Soprano associate Peter Gaeta. He also almost instantly developed jealousy and resentment towards Tony, who was younger than him but at a position to order Richie around. Richie shared a tense relationship with Janice Soprano, Tony’s sister, which culminated in his violent death.
5 Faye Miller – Mad Men
Played by Cara Buono in Season 4
Set in the high-stakes and psychologically charged world of 1960s advertising, Mad Men follows the lives of employees at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, a prestigious ad agency in Manhattan.
At the center of it all is Don Draper, whose personal and professional relationships are explored across seven seasons of drama, conflict, mystery, and culture. Along with his rise to partner at the agency, the show also focuses extensively on Don’s relationships outside of his marriage with Betty. In the fourth season, we meet Dr. Faye Miller, a consumer-research strategist whose methods challenged the traditional ways of the agency.
The 1960s were a time when women were skeptical of their own capabilities, which is why it wasn’t easy for Faye to assert herself and prove herself an important figure in the evolving landscape of advertising. She was one, regardless.
Portrayed by Cara Buono, Faye was also important in Don’s life. He might be on the same page as her at work, but he’s attracted to her intelligence. Their relationship is complex and layered, but it is also short-lived because Don ultimately chooses to marry his secretary, Megan.
4 Todd Alquist – Breaking Bad
Played by Jesse Plemons in Season 5
Created by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad is a gripping tale of transformation. It follows high school chemistry teacher Walter White, after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. To secure the financial future of his family, Walter turns to manufacturing meth with his former student, Jesse Pinkman. The show lasted five seasons, across which Gilligan gave audiences a fair share of villains to be appalled with – namely Gus Fring in Season 4 and Todd Alquist in Season 5.
The latter stands out as one deeply entangled in Walter’s criminal empire. Alquist is brought to life by Jesse Plemons. He initially appears harmless, his polite personality masking any capacity for violence. But it isn’t long until Plemons’ character reveals his ruthless side. Alquist’s actions, including the shocking murder of a young boy who witnessed the train robbery, made him an unsettling figure in the saga of Breaking Bad. However, later in the season, he dies at the hands of Jesse, which is a cathartic moment for everyone.
3 Madelyn Stillwell – The Boys
Played by Elisabeth Shue in Season 1
A dark superhero satire, The Boys takes place in a world where superheroes are regarded as Gods but they’re not really the noble saviors they pretend to be. Instead, they are corrupt, power-hungry, self-obsessed, and controlled by the mega-corporation named Vought International. Among the corporate puppeteers is Madelyn Stillwell. Played by Elisabeth Shue, the ruthless and manipulative CEO of Vought is central to the show’s theme of changing power dynamics.
On the outside, Stillwell is a picture of poise, but is in fact deeply cynical, captivating, and complicit. She expertly manipulates the superhero, particularly Homelander, to maintain Vought’s dominance in the world. Her relationship with the most powerful member of The Seven turns heads but, ironically enough, Stillwell also dies at the hands of Homelander in the jaw-dropping finale. Though brief, Stillwell’s role sets the stage for The Boys’ black-humored critique of the superhero genre.
2 The Priest – Fleabag
Played by Andrew Scott in Season 2
Fleabag is a dark comedy series created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Performed as a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival before being turned into a two-season-long drama, it offers a raw and unfiltered look into the life of its titular character. Fleabag is a troubled woman with a witty sense of humor who’s simply trying to get past her grief and family dysfunction in modern-day London.
The Priest, introduced in Season 2, is an unconventional clergyman who becomes a significant part of Fleabag’s journey of healing.
The Priest is portrayed by the very versatile and beloved Andrew Scott. Naturally, his character became a darling with fans for his magnetic performance, charming personality, and the complicated relationship he shared with Fleabag. Apart from being equal parts relatable and intriguing, The Priest was somehow the only character that truly understood Fleabag and urged her to face uncomfortable and heart-wrenching truths about life.
1 Eddie Munson – Stranger Things
Played by Joseph Quinn in Season 4
An extremely nostalgic sci-fi horror series set in the 1980s, Stranger Things may be known for revolving around the core group of friends in Hawkins, Indiana, but across four seasons of navigating government conspiracies and encountering supernatural forces, the series has featured a couple of memorable characters.
The fourth season introduced viewers to Eddie Munson, the eccentric leader of the Hellfire Club. He’s nowhere near interested in Dustin, Lucas, and Mike’s shenanigans, but when they inform him of the Upside Down, Eddie becomes a central figure in the fight against Vecna.
Played by Joseph Quinn, Eddie Munson captured our collective attention with his reckless and rebellious spirit. As an added bonus, he was always loyal to his friends. His love for heavy metal and D&D was an epic combination. And though he was reluctant at first, Eddie’s heroic sacrifice, where he performs “Master of Puppets” to hold Vecna’s forces, became a defining moment in the history of Stranger Things.
