Earlier this month, we made a list of our favorite TV characters who joined their shows late — but that, as it turns out, was just the tip of the iceberg.
Our original list (which you can read here) collected our picks for the most memorable cast members who actually didn’t appear on their shows until after the first season — and though we tried our best to be comprehensive, we admit we may have missed a few. Thankfully, TVLine readers were there to make some great suggestions, and honestly, we’re kicking ourselves for letting some of these slip through the cracks. So we’re proud to present a fresh list of reader-submitted favorites from long-running dramas like Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural, NYPD Blue and NCIS and from classic comedies like Schitt’s Creek, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and That ’70s Show, just to name a few.
Read on to see even more of the best characters who came in late (Season 2 or beyond) but still became essential members of their shows’ ensembles, all of which came straight from you. (Thanks again for that, by the way.) And if you’ve read both lists and still aren’t seeing your favorite cast addition? Well, that’s what the comments are for.
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Fred, Angel
Image Credit: Everett Collection “I miss Fred from Angel in this list… She was a great addition to the cast… Amy Acker is a delight.” — pblo78
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Lance Sweets, Bones
Image Credit: Everett Collection Along with fellow additions Camille and Max, the baby-faced psychologist played by John Francis Daley “made the show what it was,” per reader Emily.
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Stella Kidd, Chicago Fire
Image Credit: Everett Collection “It was refreshing to see her on there not only being a good complement to Severide, but also taking initiative and leadership.” — Minda
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Prentiss and Rossi, Criminal Minds
Image Credit: Everett Collection “They were the finishing pieces to a cast that is still beloved today. Paget Brewster even has the distinction of being someone who came onto a show twice and improved it both times.” — Kathy L
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Dr. Elizabeth Corday, ER
Image Credit: Everett Collection “I really do think the show was a much better one when Alex Kingston joined it as Dr. Elizabeth Corday.” — Jaye
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Richard Channing, Falcon Crest
Image Credit: Everett Collection “Donna Mills as Abby on Knots Landing & David Selby as Richard Channing on Falcon Crest both brought a necessary villain to their shows.” — Tom K
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Callie, Grey's Anatomy
Image Credit: Everett Collection “What about Callie Torres?” — Julian
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Frank Reynolds, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Image Credit: Courtesy of FXX “I mean no insult to the writer of this list and applaud the clever subject it tackles, but how in the world is Danny DeVito in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia not on it?” — Jason Goldberg
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Abby Cunningham, Knots Landing
Image Credit: Everett Collection “Donna Mills’ character, Abby Cunningham, was added in the second season of Knots Landing ‘to do the sleeping around.’” — Ken
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Jack McCoy, Law & Order
Image Credit: Everett Collection “Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy on the L&O mothership.” — skrable2a
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Desmond, Lost
Image Credit: Everett Collection “Desmond’s arc, centered around the episode ‘The Constant,’ took the show to a whole new level.” — Rick
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Ella, Lucifer
Image Credit: Everett Collection “How on earth (& other planes of existence) did you miss Ella on Lucifer?” — Citizen of the Internet
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Ziva David, NCIS
Image Credit: Everett Collection “Yeah, sure, Ziva David had no impact on NCIS… smh.” — Edvaard
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Deeks, NCIS: Los Angeles
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS “No Deeks from NCIS: L.A.?” — A
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Bobby Simone, NYPD Blue
Image Credit: Everett Collection “Jimmy Smits brought so much to NYPD Blue. The great friendship between Smits and Franz built and came through so clearly every season. I can’t hear the song ‘Duke of Earl’ without thinking of Simone and Sipowicz.” — Akgrown
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Toni Topaz, Riverdale
Image Credit: Courtesy of The CW Debuting in Season 2, this Southside Serpents gang member played by Vanessa Morgan quickly became a key member of the cast, as reader Stephen noted — and, with Cheryl, formed one of Riverdale‘s most beloved couples.
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Patrick, Schitt's Creek
Image Credit: Everett Collection “I love the whole show, but it went to a different level with the addition of his grounded presence.” — JD
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Lois Lane, Smallville
Image Credit: Everett Collection “Smallville got 100 times better when they brought on Lois Lane.” — Jen R
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Pavel Chekhov, Star Trek
Image Credit: Everett Collection As reader Rick noted, the original Enterprise crew wouldn’t be complete without the Russian navigator played by Walter Koenig, who didn’t join Trek until the Season 2 premiere — and who was added to give the show a Davy Jones-like teen idol.
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Seven of Nine, Star Trek: Voyager
Image Credit: Everett Collection “My first thought — Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager.” — Cally
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Crowley, Supernatural
Image Credit: Everett Collection The demon known as the King of Hell, played by Mark Sheppard, didn’t debut until Season 5, but he stuck around, becoming the villain that fans loved to hate, as multiple readers reminded us.
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Leo, That '70s Show
Image Credit: Everett Collection “I think this list is missing the single greatest example… Leo Chingkwake, aka Tommy Chong playing himself on That ’70s Show.” — Steven
