Is Your Name Robin Hood? Because You Stole The Show!

Celebrating memorable side characters who ran away with their entire show.

Source: Screenshot from Holmes’ Instagram

A New Scene Stealer Has Entered The Villa

On May 15, 2025, a new legend was delivered to the world. Her name was Hailee Marie Matthews, or HMM, if you’re nasty. It’s been a little over a month since Overcompensating premiered, and I haven’t stopped running through the gamut of iconic lines and equally flawless deliveries from Hailee, as played by Holmes. There’s a reason that there have already been multiple fancams made about this diva!

This can all be attributed to the creator, Benito Skinner’s writing, and Holmes’ committed and hilarious portrayal. I have been a casual fan of Holmes since their viral TikTok videos during the pandemic. It takes a skilled comedian to come in and milk a recurring role in such a big way! You can’t buy this star power. I loved this profile of Holmes in The Cut, where they talked about the birth of each Hailee-ism and how they were allowed to improvise on set while building on Benito’s already hilarious character work and dialogue.

Every Hailee bit made me laugh, regardless of how weird. Hailee Marie Matthews is the girl you met during college move-in who simultaneously scared you but whom you immediately wanted to be best friends with. She’s the diva stocked up on Fireball and would make downing Buzz Balls seem like drinking Kool-Aid in today's world. I have not been able to get over the delivery of “Are you Latinx?” or her “pisses me off” when Carmen tells Hailee that her brother (post Hailee asking if he is hot) is dead.

I hope we get even more of Hailee in the (yet-to-be-announced) second season. I wouldn’t mind knowing more about her backstory and her adventures as a biochemistry major. She’s a girl who can truly do it all. I wouldn’t mind if we just saw more of her shenanigans. Benito Skinner and Holmes, we thank you for your brilliant collaboration 🫡 !!!

@terrencefoconnorhailee for pres!!!!! @Holmes #overcompensating

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If you want to know my overall thoughts on Overcompensating, I discussed them in May’s edition of Keeping Up With The Tiny People On My Screen below.

Keeping Up With The Tiny People On My Screen

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So There’s This Scene Stealer…

For me, it’s rare that the most captivating character in a show is the protagonist. I am constantly intrigued by the side characters, particularly the supporting roles that allow character actors to shine. I am always rooting for these eclectic weirdos and underdogs while writing a spin-off for them in my head. They often bring humor and, surprisingly, an emotional core to the show.

These are a few characters that were clear standouts from the second they showed up on screen. Some of them popped up often in their shows, while others had a standout episode that has remained a highlight upon repeat viewings.

Cassidy Diamond in Search Party

Played by Shalita Grant

Cassidy Diamond struts into the third season of Search Party, as Dory’s lawyer. It’s hilarious getting to watch her try her first case, masking inexperience with nothing but vocal fry and a dream. Shalita Grant always brings the bold choices to every role that she plays and Charity is no different. It’s a travesty that she never returned to the show in the last two seasons. I would watch a spin-off of her defending various wacky clients. A comedic The Good Wife, if you will. How do I get this show made?

Maysa Hassan in Ramy

Played by Hiam Abbass

I was torn between May Calamawy and Hiam Abbass here, but Abbass’ performance as Maysa won this round. The episode, “Ne Me Quitte Pas“ in the first season is so special and where I fell in love with the show. Her character captures the feeling of loneliness and discontent in such an incredibly palpable way. She is funny and heartbreaking all at once, with an overbearingness that stems from a desire to be seen and heard in a society that is too quick to cast people like her aside. In a time like now, where immigrants are being villainized and ripped from their homes, characters like Maysa can be a small reminder to have humanity and empathy for those who may not seem like you, but who want the same compassion and community in life.

Sandra Kaluiokalani in Superstore

Played by Kaliko Kauahi

For a character who doesn’t speak often, Sandra still emerged as a fan favorite. Her rivalry with Carol was a highlight of the series, and often where she broke out of her shell and let her feelings rip. Some of the funniest moments of the show were when she finally spoke up for herself, often with intense fury and sass. Her character had so many running gags and bits. In such a large ensemble, she managed to stand out even in the quietest of moments. I would love a series where we see Sandra happily married to Jerry and the antics she gets up to with her newfound confidence.

Bibi Garvey in Bad Sisters

Played by Sarah Greene

There was no shortage of great performances in the first season of Bad Sisters, but Sarah Greene’s portrayal of Bibi deserved more love. In my fantasy, she would have gotten nominations for best supporting actress at every awards ceremony. Regardless, I know to the true television watchers, she was a clear standout. The episode “Eye for an Eye” allows for her character to shine, explaining the origins of her losing an eye and setting the plot of the first season in motion. Her blunt, darkly comedic turn in the show was a consistent highlight.

Lila Flores in The Sex Lives of College Girls

Played by Ilia Isorelýs Paulino

Lila Flores, barista fashionista extraordinaire! I wish we had gotten a plot where she moved in with the girls and became more of a main character (rather than whatever they did in the third season). I know she was older than the core four, but they could have made it work after Renee Rapp left the show. I still enjoyed what we did get of Lila, and even if the writers didn’t always know how to best utilize the character, she milked every scene for what it was worth. Every line delivery was solid gold. A star!

Kayla Schaefer in Hacks

Played by Meg Stalter

I constantly talk about this show, but I rarely give the proper praise to Meg Stalter’s performance as Kayla. The first two seasons saw her functioning as a side character, providing comedic relief as Jimmy’s bumbling assistant. Her performance and timing left you wanting more and hoping the show would expand on her character. Our wishes were granted in the third season, where we saw her dynamic with Jimmy really bloom. Kayla is loud and irreverent, but as we saw with her high school bully and in her decision to stick by Jimmy in their partnership, she has a heart of gold. I simply can’t get enough of Meg Stalter’s outlandish facial expressions and character choices.

Yuki Ishii-Peters in Pen15

Played by Matsuko Erskine

A mother (literally). I love that Maya Erskine cast her real mom and displayed a dynamic that felt natural, raw, and rooted in their history. I think it was necessary to have this real bond on display to ground the absurdity of 30-year-olds playing teens. The show constantly forced the audience to suspend belief, but never in a way that took away from the story being told. The eleventh episode of the second season, “Yuki,” is my favorite episode of the series. It allows us a window into Yuki’s life before she became a mom and fills in her backstory. Mutsuko Erskine is brilliant in this episode, and I am so glad she got to give this performance before the series ended. It’s the perfect showcase for her.

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I want to see some of these standout characters attend a dinner party together, kind of like the crossover episodes that Disney Channel used to air. It would be chaos!

Who are some supporting characters that have stuck with you throughout the years? What made them a scene/show stealer?