Straight-talking Issa Dee. Flapping and loveable Bridget Jones. Bright and sunny Jessica Day. Throughout the world of cinema and TV, it’s the main characters that we often hold in the highest regard and return to time and time again. But what about entertainment’s unsung heroes? The supporting cast that makes our beloved shows worth watching or the brilliant sidekicks our favourite movies just wouldn’t be the same without.

From the overlooked romcom heartthrob to The White Lotus character who truly deserves better, here are seven of the most underrated TV and film characters we believe deserve their flowers in 2024. 

Sasha, Barbie

If you got swept up in Barbie fever last summer, Margot Robbie’s perfect wardrobe, Kate McKinnon’s ‘Weird Barbie’ and America Ferrera’s emotional monologue are probably the parts of the film that stuck with you. But Ariana Greenblatt’s angsty performance as Sasha, Gloria’s (Ferrera) daughter shouldn’t be overlooked. As the only character not enamoured by Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie (“You set the feminist movement back 50 years,” she tells her at one point), she is the one making important points about how harmful Barbie’s image can be for young people and the unrealistic beauty standards she sets. 

Belinda Lindsey, The White Lotus

In season one of HBO’s dark comedy The White Lotus, our hearts were collectively broken as we watched sweet spa manager Belinda strung along by wealthy resort guest Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge) with promises of an investment to open her own practice. Granted, the role did earn Natasha Rothwell a nomination for best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series at the 2022 Emmys, but we still think that things should have turned out better for Belinda. The good news is that Rothwell’s character is set to return for season three, so the ending she deserves may very well be on its way…

George Downes, My Best Friend’s Wedding 

Forget Dermot Mulroney, Richard Gere and Hugh Grant. The true heart-throb crown of the 90s deserves to go to Rupert Everett for his performance as George in My Best Friend’s Wedding. Charming, hilarious, quick-witted and the voice of reason for Jules (Julia Roberts), George knows how badly everything is going to end but – like a true friend – he lets her make the mistakes for herself in order to learn from them. Plus he gets the best line of the film when he says to Jules, who is chasing Michael (Dermot Mulroney), who is chasing Kimmy (Cameron Diaz): “Who’s chasing you?”

Lucy Wyman, 13 Going On 30

As an actor, Judy Greer is well known (but often under-appreciated) within the romcom genre as the quintessential best friend character, but what we love about her as Lucy in 13 Going On 30 is that she’s the epitome of a frenemy to Jennifer Garner’s Jenna. She’s devious and sabotaging, helping her play against type, which is really fun to see. Not only that, but she proves that not all romcom best friends are there to nudge the heroine along the path to happily ever after. 

Nigel Kipling, The Devil Wears Prada

Gird your loins, indeed. Even when he’s overlooked and stabbed in the back by his long-time boss and friend Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), Stanley Tucci’s Nigel is the absolute scene-stealer of The Devil Wears Prada. From his quippy comebacks to his kind words to Andy (Anne Hathway), he’s basically the only person at Runway who was somewhat nice to anyone. And when Miranda gives his promotion away, instead of getting angry or losing his cool, he replies to the betrayal with the calmest of answers: “When the time is right, she’ll pay me back.” 

Shazza, Bridget Jones’s Diary 

Always there with a glass of wine in hand to dish out slightly questionable relationship advice, Shazza (Sally Phillips) is the friend we all need, or at least wish we had. That is until she kind of gets you being arrested in Thailand… Introduced as a “journalist who likes to say ‘fuck’,” she really has a heart of gold and is there to guide Bridget (Renee Zellweger) through her turbulent romantic life with a bit of tough love, a few home truths and a lot of support.

 Winston Bishop, New Girl

Sorry Nick and Schmidt. In 2024, it’s time for us to finally admit that Winston (Lamorne Morris) really was the best man in the New Girl loft. He’s goofy. He’s sensitive. He loves his cat! From his adorable friendship with Cece to his sweet yet often dopey demeanour, Winnie The Bish deserves to go down as one of the most wholesome TV characters in history. 

Images: Getty; NBCUniversal; WarnerBros; Sony Pictures