24 TV Characters Who Weren’t In Season 1, But Made Their Show Infinitely Better

    "Eddie Munson has my whole heart."

    Lauren Garafano
    by Lauren Garafano

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community which TV characters added after Season 1 made their shows immediately better. Here's what they said:

    🚨Warning: There are MASSIVE spoilers ahead!🚨


    1. Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma from Bridgerton

    Ashley in character
    Netflix

    First episode: Season 2 Episode 1 "Capital R Rake"

    "She and Johnathan Bailey have explosive chemistry. I haven't been so invested in any TV couple. Bane of my existence and object of all Netflix desires."

    —apai811

    2. Andrew Scott as The Priest from Fleabag

    the priest
    Prime Video

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 1

    "His addition took the show to a whole new level. Need I say anything else?"

    —itsmeshahbano

    3. Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring on Breaking Bad

    Gus threatening Walter White
    AMC

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 11 "Mandala"

    "His storyline was one of the best in the history of television (especially his unforgettable death scene). He made the show even better than it was already!"

    —janiilo

    4. Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson on Stranger Things

    Eddie hugging dustin outside
    Netflix

    First episode: Season 4, Episode 1 "Chapter One: The Hellfire Club"

    "It's only been one season but Eddie has my whole, entire heart."

    —haylscomet23

    5. Misha Collins as Castiel from Supernatural

    Misha talking on the phone
    The CW

    First episode: Season 4, Episode 1 "Lazarus Rising"

    "His outsider perspective made the show much more interesting and his chemistry with Jensen Ackles was wonderful to watch!"

    —kimberlyd41466da3f

    6. Noah Reid as Patrick Brewer from Schitt's Creek

    Noah telling David he loves him
    CTV

    First episode: Season 3, Episode 8 "Motel Review"

    "He brought out a version of David that was so wholesome. They both did things for each other, even when they didn't want to. Like, David played baseball for Patrick and Patrick assisted David with the store even though he had another job."

    —debbieresnick

    7. Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

    Frank wearing a wig in an art gallery
    FXX

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 1 "Charlie Gets Crippled"

    "The first season of the show is really good, but it felt like they were still trying to figure out who they were. Once Frank shows up, it completely explains why Dennis and Dee are the way they are and it gives Charlie a father figure. Frank adds so much to the show and Danny DeVito has so much fun with the character. He is consistently my favorite."

    —rubyrosetint

    8. Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley on Stranger Things

    Robin talking to steve in the bathroom
    Netflix

    First episode: Season 3, Episode 1 "Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy?"

    “Stranger Things has always had an amazing ensemble, so I always find it impressive when a new character joins and they’re able to just fit right in. Robin Buckley rolling into Season 3 was so perfect and she added something to the show that I didn’t even know was missing. Not only is Robin’s humor so great, but her friendship with Steve is the stuff of platonic soulmates. Also, I’ll never forget watching her coming out moment in Season 3. It’s easily one of the best scenes of the show and Maya Hawke was able to make it so memorable. I can’t imagine Stranger Things without Robin now, which is wild considering she’s only been around for two seasons so far.”

    —Nora Dominick

    9. Scott Michael Foster as Nathaniel Plimpton III on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

    close up of Nathanial talking
    The CW

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 9 "When Do I Get to Spend Time with Josh?"

    "Nathaniel starts off as the biggest villain and is seriously one of the most unlikable characters on the show. But just a few episodes later we see his vulnerable side and BOOM — instant favorite. Scott Michael Foster is truly the only person who could play that role because he brings so much vulnerability, kindness, and humor to Nathaniel. It's impossible not to fall in love with him. Nathaniel actually makes the show's love triangle worth it because there really is no bad choice between him and Greg."

    —Lauren Garafano

    10. Ice-T as Fin Tutuola on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

    Fin at his desk
    NBC

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 1 "Wrong Is Right"

    "His different background and personality really made the show more faceted. You can’t imagine the show without Benson…but honestly, you can’t imagine it without Fin either!"

    —rubiaannamaria

    Watch now on Peacock. 

    11. Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds

    close up of Emily talking
    CBS

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 9 "The Last Word"

    "She was the perfect replacement for Elle and her personality and history was so different than all the other characters, but she still was able to make these bonds with everyone. In her first case, she showed how smart and useful she could be to the team. Emily’s characterization and story arc throughout the show's 15 seasons makes her one of the best and most loved characters of the franchise. Paget does an amazing job making Emily likable, vulnerable, and everything in between."

    —transgaymer99

    12. Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor on Supergirl

    close up of Lena
    The CW

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 1 "The Adventures of Supergirl"

    "Her character was only meant to be in one or two episodes but Katie did such a good job that the character stayed until the final episode of the series. Lena changed the trajectory of the show so much and her friendship with Kara became one of the things fans looked forward to watching every week."

    —transgaymer99

    13. Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee on Dawson's Creek

    Jake in a classroom reading
    The WB

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 2 "Crossroads"

    "He was the first guy to come between Dawson and Joey, and he had a really emotional coming out story. His friendship with Jen was one of the most beautiful storylines. He was definitely a much-needed character."

    —joannarusso

    14. Eliza Dushku as Faith Lehane on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    Faith
    The WB

    First episode: Season 3, Episode 3 "Faith, Hope & Trick"

    "Every time she appeared she was the best part of the episode!! She was Buffy’s antithesis in every way, which made her a more nuanced and fleshed-out character. Eliza did so much with what she was given that by the end of her first episode fans were shipping Faith and Buffy together. Faith changed the show for the better!!"

    —transgaymer99

    15. Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield on Stranger Things

    max at a gravestone during the day
    Netflix

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 1 "Chapter One: MADMAX"

    "She was the heart and soul of Season 4."

    —juliaw1


    16. Keith David as Elroy Patashnik from Community

    Elroy talking outside
    NBC

    First episode: Season 6, Episode 2 "Lawnmower Maintenance and Postnatal Care" 

    "The show was already slipping hard by that point, but he definitely kept it watchable when it was otherwise in precarious territory."

    —soporatifilth

    17. Nasim Pedrad as Aly Nelson on New Girl

    Aly at her police desk
    Fox

    First episode: Season 4, Episode 12 "Shark"

    "It’s hard finding the right actor and character to become the 'new person' in a tight knit group that doesn’t feel forced. She was a great addition to the show!"

    —brittanijuneb

    18. Chris Wood as Kai Parker on The Vampire Diaries

    Kai talking about crying
    The CW

    First episode: Season 6, Episode 3 "Welcome to Paradise" 

    "There are A LOT of characters on The Vampire Diaries, but no one made an impact the same way Kai Parker did. Being able to enter a show in its sixth season and come out as an all-time favorite? That's a skill. He's truly one of the most ruthless villains on TV, but his charm and iconic one-liners somehow make me root for him. I think the biggest letdown was not having him on the show for even longer!"

    —Lauren Garafano

    19. Colin O'Donoghue as Killian Jones/Captain Hook on Once Upon a Time

    killian kissing another character
    ABC

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 4 "The Crocodile"

    "He's so charming and charismatic and forever changed my Disney-animated Peter Pan perception of Captain Hook. He definitely gives one of the best performances on the show, in my opinion, along with Rumpelstiltskin and Regina."

    —bundtcake12

    20. Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher on Daredevil

    frank in court
    Marvel Studios

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 3 "New York's Finest"

    "Jon Bernthal completely knocks it out of the park as Frank, embodying the character’s inherent physicality while also portraying impressive vulnerability that just makes his character so captivating on screen."

    —bundtcake12

    21. Adam Scott and Rob Lowe as Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger on Parks and Recreation

    ben and chris at a desk
    NBC

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 23 "The Master Plan" 

    "The show really took off after that!"

    —klynn214

    22. Varun Saranga as Jeremy Chetri from Wynonna Earp

    jeremy holding a large bowl
    Syfy

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 1 "Steel Bars and Stone Walls"

    "His character fits so well with the rest of the gang. I love how much he cares for his friends, his crush on Doc, and how nerdy and smart he is."

    —bundtcake12

    23. Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad

    saul talking with other characters
    AMC

    First episode: Season 2, Episode 8 "Better Call Saul"

    "He ended up being my favorite character in the whole series."

    —tubboware

    24. And finally, Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies as Klaus and Elijah Mikaelson on The Vampire Diaries

    elijah and klaus talking to each other
    The CW

    First episodes: Season 2, Episode 8 "Rose" (Elijah); Season 2 and Episode 19 "Klaus" (Klaus); Season 3

    "They were so great they got their own show."

    —sallytracy

    Note: Submissions have been edited for length/clarity.

    We obviously can't fit them all in one post, but in the comments, tell us about YOUR favorite characters who didn't appear in Season 1.