Summary

It can be difficult for a serial to flourish when its independent characters are sideline , butsome shows have cope to do just fine without their tip , whether it ’s for a single episode , a full season , or even longer . A darling main role ’s comportment can be a source of expectant comfort and familiarity . When series leads are put on the back burner — specially popular ones — their absence needs to be well - write and perfectly executed . The reason for the exclusion of a main grapheme will vary from show to show , but the destruction goal is to make their absence minimally turbulent for spectator .

Omitting a main character can further the plot , halt it dead in its tracks , or even totally transmute a TV show move forth . As a upshot , the number postulate to be cautiously consideredby showrunners each sentence it ’s carried out . Some shows will do it again and again , whereas others take a one - and - done approach . Either way , it ’s not a drift that ’s going to stop any time soon .

Some of the best and most impactful deaths in goggle box history pass early on in the serial , which is in reality not a Modern phenomenon in telly .

Collage of Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) in Westworld, Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) in Homeland, and Bob Newby (Sean Astin) in Stranger Things

10Solar Opposites Season 3, Episode 4 - “Hululand”

The Main Characters Are Sidelined For The Wall Story

Cast

When the Solar Opposites go on a trip-up , viewers are given an lengthened look at another group of lineament . InSolar Oppositesseason 3 , sequence 4 , the shrunken - down prisoner inside Jesse and Yumulack ’s wall eventually escape . Although the complex political situation within the paries is usher on numerous occasions , " Hululand " drop almost its full run showing two characters ' reintegration into society after justify themselves . The main characters return near the closing of the episode , but they are paint as the villain . This setup act upon astonishingly well , offering a new position on the series ' heroes , particularly since the escape chronological sequence is revealed to be a dream , meaning the bulwark saga continues .

9Scrubs - Throughout The Entire Show

Other Characters Pick Up J.D.’s Voiceovers

J.D. ( Zach Braff ) is the main narrator for the first eight seasons ofScrubs , with his voice - over connect together the storyline of each episode . However , there are time when the audience is permitted to listen in on the inner monologue of some of the show ’s other characters . Not only do Turk and Elliot get to take the reins , but there are also episodes assign to Dr. Cox , Dr. Kelso , and the Janitor .

There are also episodes that have an ensemble leading the bang , with audiences discover their thoughts as they stretch . By the end of the show ’s run , almost every leading and supporting actor has their play on the voice - over racetrack . Although J.D. still features in these episodes , his appearance are mainly to bookend the handing off of the billy club to friends and colleague . Most importantly , the installments still feel like authenticScrubsepisodes .

8Invincible Season 2, Episode 3 - “This Missive, This Machination!”

Seth Rogen’s Character Gets More Screen Time

Mark Grayson is wanting for much ofInvincibleseason 2 ’s , " This Missive , This intrigue ! , " butthat gives the audience the probability to see more about the world ofInvincible . While Mark is busy settling into college life , Invincible ’s Allen the Aliengets his name on the iconic title of respect card . As well as detailing his origin story , the episode instruct viewers more about Allen ’s character in the creation , his love life , and how he fares look - to - brass with the Viltrumites . The focus eventually shifts back to Mark , but not until a fond roll of the credits implies the rest of the installment is to be see a separate entity .

7Frasier Season 3, Episode 13 - “Moon Dance”

This Episode Focuses Primarily On Niles & Daphne

Although Niles Crane has some big storylines inFrasier , it ’s not often that he ’s the chief stress of an episode . In season 3 ’s " Moon Dance , " all eyes are on the title character ’s brother as he takes dancing lessons from Daphne in preparation for a date . The saltation lessons quickly become the highlight of Niles ' day , and he opt to continue the lessons despite his plans falling through .

at long last , audiences see Nile River get his pith break when he declare his feelings for Daphne mid - dance only to have her believe he was put on a show for their wall looker-on . Hyde Pierce give an even more ravish performance than common in this episode . Although Frasier is in a couple of panorama , these moments are chiefly used to found his absence from the installment at tumid .

Kelsey Grammer directed " Moon Dance " and over 30 episode of the original ladder ofFrasier .

Tony Khan and Sting merged image

6The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 3 - “Chapter 19: The Convert”

The Show Fleshed Out Dr. Pershing’s Story

Although Din Djarin was n’t ousted from hisStar Warsshow to the extent Boba Fett was , he only featured in a few minutes of " Chapter 19 : The Convert . “The installment instead revolved around Dr. Pershingand his attempts to carry on his clone inquiry for the New Republic on Coruscant . The Mandaloriantakes on the aesthetic of something more closely resemblingAndorin this episode , aStar Warsproperty renowned for its visual and thematic individuality . Althoughthe instalment feels like a diversion from the show at large , it ’s still thoroughly piquant . It ’s one of thebetter episodes ofThe Mandalorianseason 3 .

5Two And A Half Men Season 9

This One Was A Permanent Change

Two and a one-half Menwas built at least in part around Charlie Sheen . When Sheen was pull from the equationin 2011 , it was unclear whether the show would be successful enough to keep when one of the characters referenced in the show ’s claim passed away . " dainty to come across You , Walden Schmidt , " cast that doubt aside , asAshton Kutcher replaced Charlie in the first installment of season 9 . The permanent divergence of an worker from a successful sitcom can damage it irreversibly . However , despite some fans openly favoring the Charlie Sheen geological era , Two and a Half Menenjoyed four more seasons without him .

4The Simpsons Season 7, Episode 21 - “22 Short Films About Springfield”

The Anthology Special Was A Success

The Simpsonsboasts a huge figure of supporting characters , with many of them boiling down to a single gag or catch phrase . InThe Simpsonsseason 7 ’s " 22 Short Films About Springfield , " the long - go alive situation comedy leave much of its roll to breathe — and largely without the presence of a exclusive extremity of the Simpson family . The installment is one of the most renowned episodes , with audiences credibly think it mostly forPrinciple Skinner ’s notorious steamed jambon .

3The Book Of Boba Fett - “Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian”

Fans Favored The Episodes Without Boba Fett

Given that he ’s such a beloved character , audiences ask Boba Fett to be the unquestioned main attraction of his own Disney+ show — especially sinceThe Book of Boba Fettonly ran for one seven - episode season . " Chapter 5 : take of the Mandalorian " bucked that expectation . Although the episode very loosely tied into the news report , it was basically an instalment ofThe Mandalorian .

Despite Boba Fett not appearing in a individual second of the episode , it instantly became a fan pet . The sneak peek into the adventures of Din Djarin between seasons ofThe Mandalorianwas a welcome distraction from the relative monotony ofThe Book of Boba Fett . The same was also true of the following instalment , which was also short on Boba but heavy on surprise appearance . It was n’t just Grogu who showed up ; Rosario Dawson and Mark Hamill also reprised their respective character asAhsoka Tano and Luke Skywalker .

2Ted Lasso Season 2, Episode 9 - “Beard After Hours”

Coach Beard’s Night Out Was An Adventure

When Richmond loses to Manchester City inTed Lassoseason 2 , Coach Beard adjudicate to pass his head and explore London or else of commiserating with the rest of the squad . His effort go from bond with Richmond fans to more dangerous attempt . Beard was viewed as a catchphrase machine until " Beard After Hours , " butthe season 2 installation break the more vulnerable portion of his personaand change the room he was seen for the relief ofTed Lasso . Coach Beard ’s backstorywas a great addition to the Apple TV+ series .

The “Doctor-Lite” Format Proved Practical At Times

Doctor Whohas sidelined the Doctor more than once , but there ’s one episode that sticks out . " Blink " is the 10th episode of season 3 , and David Tennant ’s screen time is minimum . Most of the gallantry in " Blink " falls to Sally Sparrow and her confederate , Larry Nightingale . Although the character of the Doctor is still polar to the story that bring in the Weeping Angels , his appearances are principally limited to pre - recorded footage and a brief appearance near the remainder of the sequence .

Despite the spar consumption of Tennant , the sequence was a immense success and still has spectator sleep with the lights on . The adoration for " Blink " is in bombastic part due to the quality of Steven Moffat ’s hand , but the absence of the show ’s protagonist plays a liberal part in the instalment ’s fearfulness factor and overall prayer . When a character as heroic as the Doctor is absent , the betting odds of the daylight being save feel much lower .

Richard Kind Poker Face Season 2 Interview header

Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard in Ted Lasso, Omid Abtahi as Dr. Pershing in The Mandalorian, and the Solar Opposites

The Wall in Solar Opposites

Headshot Of Thomas MIddleditch

Headshot oF Sean Giambrone

Headshot Of Mary Mack

Cast Placeholder Image

Headshot Of John C. McGinley

Headshot Of Christa Miller

Allen the Alien in Invincible with images of Mark Grayson behind him

Headshot Of Steven Yeun IN The 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards

Headshot Of Sandra Oh In The 96th Academy Awards Vanity Fair Party

Headshot Of J. K. Simmons

Headshot Of Walton Goggins In The Fallout UK Special Screening

Jane Leeves as Daphne and David Hyde Pierce as Niles dancing in Frasier

Headshot Of Kelsey Grammer

Headshot Of Jane Leeves

Headshot Of David Hyde Pierce In The HBOMAX Julia FYC

Headshot Of Peri Gilpin In The Opening Night Red Carpet For ‘Inherit The Wind’

Omid Abtahi as Dr Penn Pershing in The Mandalorian season 3

Headshot Of Pedro Pascal In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Headshot Of Katee Sackhoff In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Lionsgate’s ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

Headshot Of Carl Weathers In The Carl Weathers at NBC Universal NBC New York Midseason Press Day

Ashton Kutcher as Walden yelling at John Cryer as Alan in Two and a Half Men

Skinner serves steamed hams in The Simpsons episode 22 Short Films About Springfield

Headshot Of Julie Kavner In The world premiere of

Headshot Of Harry Shearer In The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Headshot Of Pamela Hayden

Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett in The Book of Boba Fett wearing his helmet during a showdown in the street

Headshot Of Temuera Morrison In The 66th Berlin Film Festival

Headshot Of Ming-Na Wen In The Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s ‘Shirley’

Headshot Of Jason Sudeikis In The 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

Headshot Of Hannah Waddingham In The 2024 BAFTA Television Awards

Headshot Of Jeremy Swift In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Headshot Of Phil Dunster In The Apple TV+’s 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Party

Headshot Of Ncuti Gatwa In The US premiere of the new season of the Disney+ series Doctor Who

Headshot Of Millie Gibson In The US Premiere Of The New Season Of The Disney+ Series Doctor Who