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31 TV Actors Who Weren't In The First Episode, But Ultimately Changed Their Shows For The Better

Noah Reid showing up as Patrick on Schitt's Creek was a gift.

Nora Dominick
by Nora Dominick

BuzzFeed Staff

There are a ton of amazing TV characters out there, and while some have been on shows since day one, others came along a little later. So, here are some of the best TV characters that showed up after the first episode and became memorable:

🚨Some spoilers ahead!🚨

1. Andrew Scott as the Priest on Fleabag

The Priest saying, "Cheers! May these be the worst of our days." And Fleabag turning to the camera and saying, "Don't know who this guy is"
Amazon Prime Video

First episode: Season 2, Episode 1

2. Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley on Stranger Things

Robin telling Steve, "Hey, dingus, your children are here" after Mike and his friends arrive at Scoops Ahoy
Netflix

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

3. Noah Reid as Patrick Brewer on Schitt's Creek

David telling Patrick that he is "oscillating" between two ideas for the name of his business
Pop / CBC

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

4. Lamorne Morris as Winston Bishop on New Girl

Jess meeting Winston for the first time and scaring him
Fox

First episode: "Kryptonite" (Season 1, Episode 2)

5. Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill

Brooke telling Peyton, "So, that's the boy that beat Nathan? Well, he looks good from behind"
The CW

First episode: "The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most" (Season 1, Episode 2)

6. Eric Dane as Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy

Mark meeting Meredith and hitting on her
ABC

First episode: "Yesterday" (Season 2, Episode 18)

7. Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey on Grey's Anatomy

Lexie meeting Derek in a bar and asking to buy him a drink
ABC

First episode: "Testing 1-2-3" (Season 3, Episode 24)

8. Samira Wiley as Poussey Washington on Orange Is the New Black

Poussey trying to buy headphones for movie night, but they are sold out
Netflix

First episode: "Tit Punch" (Season 1, Episode 2)

9. Misha Collins as Castiel on Supernatural

Castiel introducing himself to Dean and saying, "I’m the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition"
The CW

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

10. Noel Fisher as Mickey Milkovich on Shameless

Mickey yelling, "Ian Gallagher, you messed with the wrong girl"
Showtime

First episode: "Aunt Ginger" (Season 1, Episode 3)

11. Milo Ventimiglia as Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls

Luke and Jess awkwardly greeting each other after Jess steps off a bus
Warner Bros.

First episode: "Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy" (Season 2, Episode 5)

12. A.J. Cook as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau on Criminal Minds

JJ introducing herself to Elle
CBS

First episode: "Compulsion" (Season 1, Episode 2)

13. Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak on Arrow

Oliver in the IT department meeting Felicity for the first time
The CW

First episode: "Lone Gunmen" (Season 1, Episode 3)

14. Danai Gurira as Michonne on The Walking Dead

Michonne alongside her two armless walkers
AMC

First episode: "Beside the Dying Fire" (Season 2, Episode 13)

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

ABC

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

16. Alycia Debnam-Carey as Lexa on The 100

Lexa telling Kane and Jaha, while pretending to be a prisoner, "They want justice"
The CW

First episode: "Fog of War" (Season 2, Episode 6)

17. Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson on The Vampire Diaries

Klaus returning to his body in present day for the first time and saying, "Now that's more like it"
The CW

First episode: "Klaus" (Season 2, Episode 19)

18. Harry Shum Jr. as Mike Chang on Glee

Fox

First episode: "Preggers" (Season 1, Episode 4)

19. Adam Scott and Rob Lowe as Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger on Parks and Rec

Chris and Ben meeting Leslie and Ron and Chris asking for a tour
NBC

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

20. Cicely Tyson as Ophelia Harkness on How to Get Away with Murder

Ophelia meeting Bonnie and Frank for the first time and asking where Annalise was
ABC

First episode: "Mama's Here Now" (Season 1, Episode 13)

21. Katherine Barrell as Nicole Haught on Wynonna Earp

Nicole and Waverly meeting in Shorty's for the first time
SYFY

First episode: "Keep the Home Fires Burning" (Season 1, Episode 2)

22. Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor on Supergirl

Lena explaining to Kara that she wanted to get out of Lex's shadow and make a name for herself outside of her family
The CW

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

23. Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond Hume on Lost

ABC

First episode: "Man of Science, Man of Faith" (Season 2, Episode 1)

24. Maya Rudolph as the Judge on The Good Place

Judge scaring Eleanor, Jason, Chidi, and Tahani while they are talking to a burrito
NBC

First episode: "The Burrito" (Season 2, Episode 11)

25. Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones

Brienne asking Renly for a place in his Kingsguard
HBO

First episode: "What Is Dead May Never Die" (Season 2, Episode 3)

26. Tyler Blackburn as Caleb Rivers on Pretty Little Liars

Hanna and Caleb arguing and Hanna telling Caleb, "You know, you don't know the first thing about me"
Freeform

First episode: "Careful What U Wish 4" (Season 1, Episode 14)

27. Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz on Riverdale

Toni meeting Jughead at Southside High
The CW

First episode: "Chapter Sixteen: The Watcher in the Woods" (Season 2, Episode 3)

28. James Marsters as Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Spike arriving in Sunnydale and saying, "Home sweet home"
Warner Bros.

First episode: "School Hard" (Season 2, Episode 3)

29. Amy Acker as Winifred "Fred" Burkle on Angel

Fred warning Cordelia not to take the collar off or else her head will implode and they won't be able to talk anymore
Warner Bros.

First episode: "Belonging" (Season 2, Episode 19)

30. Aimee Garcia as Ella Lopez on Lucifer

Ella and Lucifer meeting at a crime scene for the first time
Netflix

First episode: "Everything's Coming Up Lucifer" (Season 2, Episode 1)

31. And finally, Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad

AMC

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

What other TV characters showed up after the first episode and completely won you over? Tell us in the comments below!