Top 18 Supporting Characters in TV Drama

Second billing, first in every fan argument. Several of these parts outgrew the show that invented them.

1

Jesse Pinkman

Walter White's former student and partner in Breaking Bad, and the show's conscience.

2

Christopher Moltisanti

Tony's nephew and protégé in The Sopranos, always one bad decision from the top.

3

Gus Fring

The chicken-restaurant owner running a distribution network with a folded napkin.

4

Paulie Walnuts

The Sopranos capo whose superstitions were funnier and more dangerous than anyone's.

5

Mike Ehrmantraut

The ex-cop fixer of Breaking Bad, competent in a show full of amateurs.

6

Dr. Jennifer Melfi

The psychiatrist who gave The Sopranos its second room and its second argument.

7

Stringer Bell

The Wire's drug lieutenant taking economics classes to run a better corner.

8

Peggy Olson

Mad Men's secretary who became the copywriter the office had to take seriously.

9

Tyrion Lannister

Game of Thrones' most quoted survivor, winning rooms he could not win fights in.

10

Kim Wexler

Better Call Saul's lawyer, sharper than Jimmy and far more dangerous when bored.

11

Adriana La Cerva

Christopher's fiancée in The Sopranos, caught between the FBI and the family.

12

Hank Schrader

The DEA brother-in-law chasing Heisenberg across his own dinner table.

13

Roman Roy

Succession's youngest son, deflecting every real feeling with a joke.

14

Bunk Moreland

The Wire's homicide detective, the show's dry humour and its working conscience.

15

Silvio Dante

Tony's consigliere in The Sopranos, running the Bada Bing and the bad news.

16

Saul Goodman

Breaking Bad's criminal lawyer, a comic-relief part that earned its own series.

17

Joan Holloway

Mad Men's office manager, who understood the firm better than the partners did.

18

Uncle Junior

The Sopranos' ageing boss, still fighting for a title he could no longer hold.