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Mike Hannigan – Friends
Mike Hannigan was the only character to truly feel like a seventh Friend. He was the perfect match for Phoebe, a lightning rod for her kookiness and providing the solid family she’d never had. It wasn’t just the fact that he was played by Paul Rudd that managed to win over the viewers. His profile was nowhere near what it would later become, so the audience weren’t responding to star power in the same way they had, say, to Bruce Willis, Tom Selleck or Reese Witherspoon. Mike had to play the long game, put in the graft and win Phoebe’s trust, and won ours in the process. AJ, London
Ewan Roy – Succession
If it counts as late, with his arrival in episode five of the first season of Succession, my vote goes to Ewan Roy, elder brother of Logan, played impeccably by James Cromwell. An agitator to his ruthless younger brother, Ewan with his social and political conscience gave left-leaning viewers someone to root for. Ann, London
Aly – New Girl
Winston was already a brilliant character, and adding in a love interest for him in season four was such a great decision. Aly was smart, funny and a perfect partner for Winston. On top of all that, she gelled so well with the extremely strong ensemble cast, it made you forget she wasn’t there from the beginning. Aimee, Ulverston, Cumbria
The Mother – How I Met Your Mother
I loved the Mother in the final season of How I Met Your Mother. While many people detest the end of the show, her introduction was what really uplifted the final series. After eight series of buildup, nobody thought the show could deliver on their promise of this perfect partner for Ted. However, they over-delivered if anything, bringing in a character who all fans of the show fell in love with. Matt, London
River Song – Doctor Who
Alex Kingston’s character transformed Doctor Who – the series and the Time Lord – as soon as she first uttered the words “Hello, sweetie”. Admittedly, she did later try to kill him, but there was a happy ending. Reader, she married him. Anil Patel, London
Kryten – Red Dwarf
After first appearing as a one-off character in season two, Kryten was so great that the writers brought him back as a regular. As an android, Kryten could explain puzzling situations to the other crew members, but also go on away missions. And he was given some excellent lines, one of my favourites being when he meets his future self, now wearing a wig: “What is that you have on your head? I hope you have a quarantine licence for it.” Helen Taylor, Wokingham, Berkshire
Castiel – Supernatural
Castiel didn’t arrive in the show until season four. He was the angel who raised the dead Dean Winchester from hell and back to life. Supernatural went on to have 15 seasons, and Castiel became a part of the team. For his actor, Misha Collins, to go from a guest to a primary character was an amazing transition – and it had everything to do with the actor and how he played the character. The first time we see him he’s a man wearing an open trenchcoat over a shirt and tie – with huge wings shadowed on the walls behind him. That image alone made Castiel something new and wonderful that fit right in. Collins won us over without even saying a word. Sarah Bewley, 72, Florida, US
Lalo Salamanca – Better Call Saul
For me, Better Call Saul was petering out after the first three seasons without much of a way into the Breaking Bad story until Lalo Salamanca arrived. Tuco was involved previously as was Hector and Mike, but Lalo’s arrival gave BCS the rush it needed to persevere. Daniel Coogan, London
Jacqueline ‘Jack’ Sloane – NCIS
I liked Maria Bello who played Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane in NCIS in seasons 15-18 as a senior special agent and operational psychologist who specialised in profiling. They gave her a backstory as a prisoner of war in Afghanistan who was tortured, which allowed her to connect with people who had similar experiences. Allen Salyer, Michigan, USA
Lane Pryce - Mad Men
Lane Pryce in Mad Men was an excellent addition to an already formidable cast. His own brand of 60s Englishness was a jolt in the arm for both the fictional company and the show and his story arc was expertly drawn right until its conclusion. Jared Harris was superbly nuanced, and his office brawl with Pete, sleeves up, Queensbury rules, will live on as one of TV’s most surprising, tame and funniest fight scenes. Just brilliant. Ben, Burgess Hill
Frank – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s hard to remember that series one didn’t have Danny DeVito in it. Getting such a sitcom legend in the show was a total coup – his bromance with room mate and possible son Charlie is heartwarming and disgusting in equal measure. He’s filthy rich (or just plain filthy), kinky and heartless. The show would be poorer without him. Anna, Glasgow
Lord Flashheart – Blackadder
Lord Flashheart (Rik Mayall) in Blackadder II: “Flash by name, Flash by nature! Hooray!” OK, so it’s the first episode and not the end of the series, but there’s no denying Mayall upstages his legendary cast-mates when he literally arrives (and leaves) with a bang at the end of the episode, taking Blackadder’s fiance (Gabrielle Glaister) with him. Woof! Rob, London
Meg – Motherland
Meg (Tanya Moodie), who arrives in season two of Motherland, disrupts the group at the school gates and doesn’t give a shit. I love her because she is funny and outrageous yet vulnerable like all of us. She would definitely be one of my besties. Nicola Borradaile, London
Ralph Cifaretto – The Sopranos
Arriving with a threadbare moral compass, Ralph was the most horrible, comical, yet fully realised character to arrive late. The impact of his actions affected the show long after his exit. He rattled everyone. But he was the greatest earner of Tony’s crew. Murdered his pregnant mistress. Organised the murder of his partner’s son. Charming, yet charmless. Evil with a smile and the calmest bully, yet distraught and vulnerable at his son’s death. A domineering devotee of toxic masculinity, yet secretly needed to be dominated sexually by big women. A truly unforgettable character who gave The Sopranos a cruel, comical oxygen for two long years. Ronnie, London
Sideshow Bob – The Simpsons
I see your Frasier Crane and raise you Sideshow Bob in The Simpsons, another Kelsey Grammer character who first appeared in a non-speaking part in episode eight of season one. The Cape Feare episode is just perfect – the rakes, the witness protection team’s impossible task of convincing Homer that he has a new surname – but all his other appearances made for standout episodes. Stephen Lalley, Cumbernauld, Scotland
