Harper Hall
14 Iconic Characters Who Only Appeared in a Few Episodes
Some television characters leave such a powerful mark that fans remember them forever, even when they only appear in a handful of episodes.
These memorable figures capture our hearts through compelling performances, shocking deaths, or unforgettable personalities that resonate long after their screen time ends.
Whether they served as mentors, villains, or tragic heroes, their brief appearances prove that quality matters more than quantity when it comes to creating lasting impressions on audiences worldwide.
1. Chrissy Cunningham – Stranger Things
Grace Manning brought Chrissy to life in just two episodes of Stranger Things Season 4, yet her tragic fate became one of the most talked-about moments of the entire series.
As Hawkins High’s popular cheerleader, she seemed to have everything together on the outside.
Beneath that perfect exterior, though, she struggled with serious personal demons that nobody else could see.
Her connection with Eddie Munson showed audiences a different side of the typical popular girl stereotype.
The vulnerability she displayed made her instantly relatable and human.
When Vecna claimed her as his first victim in a horrifying scene, fans were devastated.
Her death set the entire season’s dark tone in motion and gave Eddie’s character arc its emotional foundation.
2. Syrio Forel – Game of Thrones
Though he was seen in just four episodes, the First Sword of Braavos’ wisdom influenced Arya Stark throughout the series.
Syrio taught Arya the art of water dancing, transforming her from a frustrated noble girl into a skilled fighter.
His lessons went far beyond physical combat, teaching her to observe the world with sharp eyes and a sharper mind.
His most famous quote, “What do we say to the God of Death? Not today,” became a defining mantra for Arya’s character development.
When Meryn Trant and the Lannister guards came for Arya, Syrio defended her with nothing but a wooden sword.
His presumed death protecting his student cemented his status as one of television’s most beloved mentors.
3. Jo Harvelle – Supernatural
Alona Tal’s portrayal of Jo Harvelle across nine episodes created a character that fans still mourn years after her heroic sacrifice.
Growing up in the Roadhouse surrounded by hunters, Jo desperately wanted to prove herself in the dangerous world that took her father’s life.
Her determination often clashed with her mother Ellen’s protective instincts, creating realistic family tension.
Jo’s chemistry with Dean Winchester added romantic complexity to the show, though their relationship never fully developed.
She represented the cost of the hunting life and the courage required to face supernatural evil.
Her death alongside her mother in Season 5 remains one of Supernatural’s most emotionally devastating moments.
Together they held off hellhounds to give Sam and Dean a fighting chance, embodying true hunter sacrifice.
4. Lexi Branson – The Vampire Diaries
In just five episodes, Arielle Kebbel’s Lexi brought humor, warmth, and became a guiding light for vampire redemption.
As Stefan Salvatore’s best friend for over a century, Lexi proved that vampires could maintain their humanity despite their bloodthirsty nature.
She spent decades helping Stefan control his ripper tendencies, showing patience and loyalty that transcended normal friendship.
Her bubbly personality and genuine kindness contrasted sharply with the darker vampires populating Mystic Falls.
Fans loved seeing her bring out Stefan’s lighter side and remind him of who he truly wanted to be.
When Damon staked her in the very first season to frame vampires for recent attacks, viewers were shocked.
Her death motivated many character decisions throughout the series and demonstrated the show’s willingness to kill beloved characters.
5. Lyanna Mormont – Game of Thrones
Bella Ramsey’s fierce performance as the young Lady of Bear Island across six episodes made Lyanna Mormont an instant fan favorite despite her limited screen time.
At just ten years old in the story, Lyanna commanded respect from seasoned warriors and lords twice her size.
Her no-nonsense attitude and razor-sharp intelligence cut through political games that older characters played.
During the Great Council scene, she boldly declared Jon Snow the King in the North, shaming older lords into action.
Her famous line about Bear Island’s fighting women became a rallying cry for the show’s strong female representation.
Lyanna’s death during the Battle of Winterfell epitomized her fearless spirit as she killed a giant wight while being crushed.
That final act of defiance cemented her legacy as one of Westeros’s bravest heroes.
6. Madisynn – She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
With only three episodes to her name, Patty Guggenheim’s Madisynn King delivered chaotic brilliance, forming the MCU’s most surprisingly fun friendship.
After accidentally traveling to a demon dimension during a magic show gone wrong, Madisynn stumbled into Wong’s life and refused to leave.
Her Valley Girl personality clashed hilariously with the Sorcerer Supreme’s serious demeanor, yet they formed an oddly perfect bond.
Madisynn’s obsession with reality TV, particularly The Sopranos, gave Wong someone to share his guilty pleasure viewing habits with.
Their friendship humanized one of Marvel’s most powerful characters in refreshingly genuine ways.
Fans immediately demanded more Madisynn content after her brief appearances, with many hoping she’d return in future MCU projects.
Her unique spelling of “Madisynn” with two N’s and one Y became a running joke that perfectly captured her quirky character.
7. Kol Mikaelson – The Vampire Diaries
Nathaniel Buzolic portrayed the wildest Original vampire sibling across eight episodes, bringing unpredictable chaos wherever Kol appeared.
As the most impulsive and violent of the Mikaelson family, Kol reveled in causing mayhem without his siblings’ restraint or strategic thinking.
His centuries-long daggering by Klaus left him bitter and eager to make up for lost time through reckless behavior.
Despite his dangerous nature, Kol showed glimpses of the fun-loving brother he once was before vampirism corrupted him.
His complicated relationship with his family revealed the tragedy behind his villainous actions.
Jeremy Gilbert staked Kol in a desperate attempt to complete the Hunter’s Mark, causing every vampire Kol had sired to die instantly.
This mass death event had massive consequences for the show’s plot and earned Kol a resurrection in The Originals spin-off series.
8. Tom Maynard – Grey’s Anatomy
Though featured in only two episodes, Richard Schiff’s Tom Maynard brought one of Grey’s Anatomy’s most heartrending patient stories to life.
Tom arrived at Seattle Grace as a seemingly ordinary patient, but his story revealed the devastating reality of losing a child.
His son had died, and Tom’s grief manifested in ways that tested the doctors’ emotional boundaries and professional capabilities.
The character’s raw vulnerability and realistic portrayal of parental loss resonated deeply with audiences who had experienced similar tragedies.
His interactions with the doctors reminded viewers why they chose such emotionally demanding careers.
Tom’s storyline didn’t rely on dramatic medical mysteries or shocking twists, instead focusing on authentic human pain.
His brief time on screen demonstrated Grey’s Anatomy’s ability to create meaningful connections with characters who appear for only moments in the show’s long history.
9. Sally Sparrow – Doctor Who
Carey Mulligan starred in what many consider Doctor Who’s greatest standalone episode, “Blink,” appearing in just that single story.
Sally Sparrow accidentally stumbled into a terrifying mystery involving the Weeping Angels, time-traveling stone creatures that send victims into the past.
Armed only with cryptic messages from the Doctor, she had to solve the puzzle without the Time Lord’s direct help.
The episode’s unique structure meant Sally carried the entire story while the Doctor appeared only in recorded messages from the past.
Her intelligence, bravery, and resourcefulness made her feel like a companion despite never actually traveling in the TARDIS.
“Blink” won numerous awards and introduced the Weeping Angels, who became one of Doctor Who’s most iconic monsters.
Sally’s brief appearance left such an impression that fans still discuss her character years later and wish she had returned for more adventures.
10. Philip Davidson – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The story of an absent father brought heartache and hope, turning Jake’s journey into a powerful meditation on estrangement and reconciliation.
Philip had left Jake and his mother when Jake was just seven years old, creating deep-seated abandonment issues that affected Jake’s entire personality.
When he suddenly reappeared decades later, Jake had to confront the pain he’d been hiding behind jokes and immaturity.
The character’s return forced Jake to examine whether people truly change and if childhood wounds can heal with time.
Philip’s attempts to reconnect felt genuine yet inadequate, capturing the complexity of damaged family relationships.
His storyline gave Andy Samberg opportunities to showcase his dramatic acting range beyond Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s usual comedy.
The resolution of Jake’s father issues represented significant character growth and added emotional depth to the show’s typically lighthearted tone.
11. Irene Adler – Sherlock
Lara Pulver’s captivating performance as “The Woman” appeared in only two episodes but fundamentally changed Sherlock Holmes as a character.
Irene Adler operated as a high-profile dominatrix who possessed compromising photographs of a royal family member, putting her in Sherlock’s investigative crosshairs.
Her intelligence matched Sherlock’s own, making her one of the few people who could genuinely challenge and intrigue him.
Their chemistry crackled with tension as Irene saw through Sherlock’s emotional defenses while he struggled to read her true intentions.
She represented everything Sherlock claimed not to understand: human emotion, attraction, and vulnerability.
Her phone passcode being “I AM SHER LOCKED” revealed her feelings despite her manipulative games.
Though Sherlock claimed to be unmoved, his secret efforts to save her life proved Irene had broken through his carefully constructed walls in ways nobody else could.
12. Oberyn Martell – Game of Thrones
A charismatic new presence shook Game of Thrones in Season 4, delivering a performance that fans still celebrate years later.
The Red Viper of Dorne arrived in King’s Landing seeking justice for his sister Elia’s brutal murder during Robert’s Rebellion.
His exotic fighting style and passionate personality made him stand out in Westeros’s often rigid society.
Oberyn’s verbal sparring with Tyrion Lannister created some of the season’s most entertaining scenes, building a friendship based on mutual respect for outcasts.
His willingness to champion Tyrion in trial by combat showed his commitment to justice over political safety.
The Mountain’s horrific killing of Oberyn during their duel traumatized viewers who had fallen in love with the character.
His death’s brutality and the hope it crushed made it one of television’s most shocking moments, launching Pascal’s career into the stratosphere.
13. Lady Laena Velaryon – House of the Dragon
Nanna Blondell portrayed the adult Laena Velaryon in just two episodes, yet her tragic end became one of House of the Dragon’s most memorable moments.
As a dragonrider bonded to Vhagar, the largest living dragon in Westeros, Laena commanded respect and power few could match.
Her marriage to Daemon Targaryen produced two daughters and seemed to bring the rogue prince genuine happiness for the first time.
Laena’s free-spirited nature complemented Daemon’s wild tendencies as they lived abroad, avoiding the political drama consuming Westeros.
Their relationship showed a softer side to Daemon that viewers rarely witnessed.
During a difficult childbirth, knowing she and the baby wouldn’t survive, Laena chose a dragonrider’s death on her own terms.
She commanded Vhagar to burn her alive rather than die helplessly in bed, demonstrating incredible courage and the fierce independence that defined her character throughout her brief time onscreen.
14. Bela Talbot – Supernatural
Operating in moral gray zones, a daring thief added depth and unpredictability to the third season’s storyline.
Bela Talbot stole supernatural artifacts for profit, viewing the hunting world through a purely transactional lens that clashed with Sam and Dean’s moral code.
Her selfish motivations and willingness to betray anyone made her frustrating yet fascinating to watch.
Unlike typical villains, Bela’s backstory revealed tragic circumstances that explained her ruthless behavior without excusing it.
She had sold her soul to escape abusive parents, making her both victim and villain simultaneously.
When hellhounds came to collect her soul, Bela’s desperation humanized her in her final moments as she realized no amount of money could save her.
Her death served as a cautionary tale about the true cost of supernatural deals and the impossibility of outrunning one’s past forever.
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