# Minor character in a work of fiction that you would like to see have their own spin-off **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [June 24, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162 "2026-06-24T23:02:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/41 "2026-06-25T22:06:37Z")
There’s an episode of the Simpsons where it is revealed that Martin, one of Bart’s school chums, is actually a grown man with a wife and kids who has been working undercover. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VqrP4-FSvfU/maxresdefault.jpg "Martin's Secret Life (The Simpsons)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqrP4-FSvfU) That’s a story with legs! ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/42 "2026-06-25T23:37:40Z")
**Creed** on _The Office_. I’ve been able to work out with a few clues that he probably killed and assumed the identity of the guitarist for the Grass Roots, but other than that his life is a tantalizing mystery. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/43 "2026-06-26T02:56:00Z")
Here’s a really minor character: Audrey in _Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore_, played by Jodie Foster. She has only a few minutes of screen time in which she gets drunk, shoplifts, taken to jail, and hauled home by her cranky mother. At which point, she gives the legendary line, “So long, suckers!” There’s got to be more to her story. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/44 "2026-06-26T03:01:59Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > a pregnant Bronze Age girl I feel obliged to mention that the Bronze Age ended ca. 1300 BCE, and the following Iron Age ended ca. 550 BCE. The era for this girl was called, among other things, classical antiquity. > [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > can’t get away with claiming she’s a virgin and expect the story to gain traction without an expert’s opinion. She really only had to convince one person, her husband. After that, the special effects took over. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/45 "2026-06-26T03:09:10Z")
I always figured she was considered a virgin because they were unmarried. Some kind of propriety thing. Then it got blown out of all proportion. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/46 "2026-06-26T03:40:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The Gospels do mention a midwife at the delivery… Not in the four canonical Gospels. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/47 "2026-06-26T03:48:02Z")
Carl Gallagher from Shameless. The second-youngest who went to military school. I’d love to see him go into the military. I picture him ending up in logistics, a procurement command or managing a large supply depot. So much fodder for both hilarity and serious exposition that the public ought to see. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/48 "2026-06-26T03:58:38Z")
In _Beverly Hills Cop_, the scene-stealing Bronson Pinchot played a wacky, foreign-accented man named Serge. That character would be a great one to build an entire sitcom around! They’d just need to provide the character with a backstory, an uptight straightman for him to play off, and a suitable premise to have the two of them live or work together. Like, maybe he’s a bumpkin from some remote Balkan country who travels to America to live with his distant cousin… ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/49 "2026-06-26T04:13:33Z")
From the original Highlander movie, [Kastagir](https://highlander.fandom.com/wiki/Sunda_Kastagir). We see him briefly, meeting MacLeod and reminiscing about their past history, and then him fighting and losing to the Kurgan. But in those few moments, he really stands out as a guy who seems to have really just enjoyed the hell out of being immortal, none of that moping around that MacLeod does. I’d like to see more of him, partying his way through significant historical events. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/50 "2026-06-26T04:25:21Z")
The extended _Star Wars_ universe did this. They published two books of stories, one telling tales of the aliens in the Mos Eisley cantina, and one of the creatures found in Jabba’s palace. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/51 "2026-06-26T04:43:42Z")
Don’t be ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/52 "2026-06-26T04:52:46Z")
Got a chapter and verse? My favorite Biblical character, besides Jesus of course, is Candace, an Ethiopian queen mentioned in passing in Acts. I get the impression that she was a badass. Maybe another cache of Dead Sea scrolls will be discovered, and we will find out more about her. p.s. Her name has many spellings; my translation calls her “Candace.” ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/53 "2026-06-26T06:15:48Z")
From **Andor** : Kleya Vel Cinta Melshi Brasso Wilmon Perrin Sculdun The “rebellions are built on hope” clerk at the hotel The Force healer Partagaz Kino Loy Krennic So, basically everyone. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/54 "2026-06-26T16:39:20Z")
From the excellent TV series ‘Sherlock’: [Sherlock (TV Series 2010–2017) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1475582) I would really enjoy seeing Inspector Lestrade (played by Rupert Graves) in his own series. Sherlock Holmes could have the occasional cameo. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/55 "2026-06-26T17:03:49Z")
Perhaps they could adapt [MJ Trow’s Lestrase books](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._J._Trow#'Inspector_Lestrade'_books,_based_on_the_character_from_the_Sherlock_Holmes_stories.), with a modern setting. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/56 "2026-06-26T21:54:24Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > Don’t be ridiculous. You misspelled “Get the F#$% out of here!” > **[Beverly Hills Cop (2/10) Movie CLIP - Serge & Achmed (1984) HD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHZWWFmaFcI%2F)** > > Beverly Hills Cop movie clips: http://j.mp/1uv2WHyBUY THE MOVIE: http://amzn.to/vcYtL3Don't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6prCLIP DESCRIPT... ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/57 "2026-06-27T18:34:27Z")
“Don’t be ridiculous” was often said by Pinchot’s character Balki in _Perfect Strangers_, which is the reference/joke @duality72 was making. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/58 "2026-06-27T19:02:04Z")
I have plans for a hit broadway musical, _Cold_. It’s the story of a misunderstood, rebellious iceberg who leaves home to seek his fortune and is hit by a huge, reckless ocean liner. Hilarity ensues. Now I just have to write it. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/59 "2026-06-27T19:18:45Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > _Cold_. It’s the story of a misunderstood, rebellious iceberg who leaves home to seek his fortune and is hit by a huge, reckless ocean liner. Plot twist: The story takes place in _ **1898** _ > **[The Wreck of the Titan: Or, Futility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wreck_of_the_Titan:_Or,_Futility)** > > Futility is a novella written by American author Morgan Robertson, first published in 1898. It features a fictional American ocean liner named Titan that sinks in the North Atlantic Ocean after striking an iceberg. The Titan and its sinking were noted for their similarities to the real-life passenger ship RMS Titanic and its sinking 14 years later. > Following the sinking of the Titanic, the novel was reissued with a number of changes, particularly to the ship's displacement, and was renamed F... ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162/60 "2026-06-28T14:38:20Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > He did get his own play, _The Merry Wives of Windsor_. It sucked, compared to Henry IV parts 1 and 2. If not for the name, you’d hardly know it was the same character. Sorry, gotta weigh in in defense of _Merry Wives_! Going by [the number of performances](https://www.shakespeareances.com/wherewill/Play_Popularity_Index.html), which is the closest thing we have to an objective measurement of which plays resonate with audiences, it doesn’t suck; it’s comfortably in the top 1/3, just ahead of _Othello_ and _King Lear_. It’s basically a sitcom, so it’s not deep, but in a good performance it’s clear that it’s a well-made sitcom – the jokes still land even after 400 years, the comedic payoffs are effectively set up and timed, even the minor characters have distinct voices and personalities and the plot follows logically from their foibles. And Falstaff is _exactly_ the same character as he always was, which is to say, an amoral (but witty) cynic whose main life skills are being quick on his feet with a lie and finding ways to get other people to pay for stuff. It’s just that those traits suddenly become less endearing when he’s trying to scam respectable townspeople who are a step below him on the social ladder, rather than puncturing the pretensions of the nobility. (Also true in 2 Henry IV once the scene shifts to Gloucestershire.) … And, to get back to the actual topic of this thread, I love Charles Dickens but he tends to leave his female characters badly underdeveloped, and I would love to see a modern novelist with deep knowledge of the Victorian era write a book about Estella Havisham, instead of the umpteenth _Pride and Prejudice_ sequel from Mary Bennet’s point of view. What possessed her to marry Bentley Drummle, and how does she escape from that marriage and retain control over some of her own property through “determined resistance,” in an era when he would have been legally entitled to all of it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162.md?page=4)