9 Supporting TV Characters Who Carried Their Shows (3 of 5)

Barney Stinson — How I Met Your Mother

Ted brought in the plot while Barney boosted the show’s ratings. Neil Patrick Harris took a cartoonish suit-goblin and smuggled in real feelings with some truly legen- wait for it!—dary catchphrases. Under the high-five mask lived an insecure but loyal friend who will always come in clutch. Whenever the main plot dragged, the writers hit the Barney button, and the audience woke up.

Daryl Dixon — The Walking Dead

Daryl may be all about bikes, crossbow bolts, and brooding, but the fans loved every moment of him on-screen. In a show known for defying fan expectations, Daryl emerged as a dependable survivor who consistently overcomes challenges, as the writers were unwilling to eliminate his character. When the group needed a tracker, a protector, or a single grunt that said 40 emotions, Daryl delivered. Admit it: you threatened to riot if anything happened to him.