I tend to find sidekicks, helpers, and non-protagonists more interesting than protagonists, villains, and more major characters in most stories.

Maybe it’s that we see less of more secondary characters, so they have something more of mystery about them. More questions.

Maybe it’s that good storytelling doesn’t hide the flaws of protagonists, and the faults of certain secondary characters can be more hidden.

Maybe it’s that we tend to see secondary characters in one particular role only, which can be striking in forming a positive image of and connection with that character, if that role is positive and they perform it well.

Maybe it’s that some protagonists are written more to be blank slates of sorts, that any reader or viewer can map themselves onto, and I rebel against that.

My favorite character in the Harry Potter series? I love Hermione, but I’d have to say Remus Lupin. I really connected with Lupin, with his struggle for self-acceptance, to feel worthy. With his feeling like an outsider.

When he came back in Order of the Phoenix, I think I screamed, “Lupin’s back!” and threw down the book on my bed where I was reading, I was so excited.

Lord of the Rings? I do love Sam–who would argue that Sam isn’t amazing? Or that Frodo isn’t heroic? But I think Meriadoc Brandybuck is my favorite character.

Merry is the only member of the Fellowship to find himself completely separated from every other member of the Fellowship for an extended period, (Yes, Sam and Frodo do get separated temporarily after Shelob’s lair.) Merry is abandoned in Rohan, a hobbit among men, but what does he do? He presses on. He clings to and serves Theoden, and he fights.

I love the Rohirrim, and I love that Merry finds his place among them. I love that he takes the tactical lead in the Scouring of the Shire, as well.

On to Jane Austen: personally, I think Jane Bennett is a probably a better person than Lizzie, if maybe less interesting. (They’re both lovely!) I absolutely love Jane in Pride and Prejudice.

Les Miserables? Eponine all day, especially in the musical. In the book, Enjolras is an incredibly dynamic character. (I really connect with Marius in the book though. I kind of AM Marius from the book).

I almost got a PhD in Spanish lit, and I’ll take Sancho over don Quixote any day.

My favorite Shakespeare character? It’s Hotspur. From I Henry IV.

In my own novel, while I do love MC Kora, Laskenay and Bennie have my heart much more somehow. I don’t know why. They just do.

Anyhow, do you also tend to gravitate toward loving secondary characters? The under-appreciated ones? The quiet ones? The unobtrusive ones, who don’t demand to be the center of attention?

Who are some of your favorite secondary characters?

There are links above to character spotlights of Bennie and Laskenay from The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope. You can read more about the entire League here, or visit the book’s website.