When writing a script, creating unique characters that are different between them is essential. This is especially important when you write a TV series. You must keep in mind that the total screening time is larger than in a film. Therefore, if your characters are flat, they don’t have a unique voice or they’re not interesting at all it will be evident on screen. Really often writers get so obsessed with their leading characters’ development that they completely forget that supporting characters are equally important. In the end, supporting characters are the ones that feed the leading roles and the plot. During a series season absolutely everything can happen and whoever has a secondary role can become a lead or even have his own TV series. Does someone remember the spin-off Better Call Saul? The lawyer character in Breaking Bad was so successful that they created his exclusive TV series that, by the way, was also successful. Conclusion: create supporting characters that disserve a leading role.

There is something very common and interesting about some of the greatest supporting characters from some of the favourite shows, the use of stereotypes. Yes, we know, we don’t like stereotypes. For that reason, I said “use” of stereotypes and not “stereotyped characters” which is very different…