With nine seasons, How I Met Your Mother took viewers deep into the lives of the show's main characters. Ted, Barney, and co. kept fans entertained for 208 episodes, but they weren't alone. They were, in fact, supported by a cast of vivid side characters who helped to make the show one of the best sitcoms of all time.
Outside of the central gang of Ted, Robin, Barney, Lily, and Marshall, How I Met Your Mother was truly filled to the brim with funny, interesting, and quirky characters, many of whom had the potential to lead their own show. Whether it was Barney's suave brother James or Robin's inappropriate co-host with potential hidden depths, many of HIMYM's supporting cast would have made interesting additions to the show's roster of main characters.
Sandy Rivers
First appearing in the season 1 episode “Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.," and making a number of appearances in later seasons, Robin’s Metro News 1 co-host Sandy Rivers is a Ron Burgundy-esque character full of off-color remarks and wanton disregard for workplace boundaries, regularly propositioning Robin and other female staff for sex.
While his behavior and actions are completely out of line with societal standards (including when the show was first made), there is a slight sense in his character that he’s not all inappropriate remarks and sexual jibes. In the season 1 finale “Come On," after getting a job at CNN, Sandy recommends Robin to be the new lead anchor in his place.
Brad Morris
Before he was famous for roles in Magic Mike and Justice League, Joe Manganiello starred in How I Met Your Mother as Marshall’s law school friend turned brunch buddy Brad Morris. Appearing in a number of different seasons, Brad portrays a softer side to the common stereotype of the jock caricature, enjoying activities such as brunch and Broadway without seeing them as feminine or “girly”, like the gang who tease Marshall in the season 2 episode “World’s Greatest Couple."
Despite hoodwinking Marshall in the season 8 Gruber Pharmaceuticals case, Brad eventually reconciles with Marshall, joining his firm and the fight to protect the environment, highlighting his considerate and compassionate side seen in earlier episodes. Brad is certainly one of the best HIMYM characters introduced after season 1 and has strong main character energy that makes him so compelling.
Bilson
Portrayed by real-life comedian Bryan Callen, Bilson works with Barney and Marshall at Goliath National Bank. His brash and obnoxious behavior coupled with his workplace bro-ness make for some hilarious jokes and one-liners, most memorably commenting in “Life Among the Gorillas” that Marshall’s tie was “steak sauce."
As one of the characters who serve to embody many of the negative aspects of the "bro" stereotype throughout the show, his character has few redeeming features outside of his humor and high-octane energy. His final appearance being hit with a chair by Ted is a fitting exit for the character, but, despite all of his flaws, fans would have perhaps liked to see more of him.
Carl
Carl - definitely not a vampire - is a bartender and possible owner of MacLaren’s pub where the gang hangs out. Despite not having a starring or significant role in the series, he has appeared in numerous episodes as a good friend to the gang.
We can see how close he is with the gang in one of HIMYM's best storylines when he gives control of the bar over to Ted and Barney in the season 4 episode “Three Days of Snow." He’s also fiercely loyal to his friends, throwing out a customer who refused to attend Mark's funeral in “Monday Night Football." He’s also the first person apart from Marshall to find out that Lily is pregnant after she orders a non-alcoholic beer. Strong, loyal, and humorous, Carl definitely could have benefited from more screen time with the gang.
Arthur Hobbs
Portrayed by acting heavyweight and Breaking Bad alumnus Bob Odenkirk, Arthur Hobbs makes a number of appearances over the course of the show as Marshall’s boss. Appearing first in the season 3 episode “The Chain of Screaming," Artillery Arthur, as he’s introduced, is famous for his outrageous screaming sessions, love for his dog Tugboat, and mistrust of women following his divorce.
Despite initially being introduced as an antagonistic force, throughout his time on the show, Arthur slowly becomes more empathetic and endearing. In particular, his love for Tugboat is central to his character, highlighting how he views loyalty as paramount above all else. With his big personality, Arthur is definitely a HIMYM character that deserved more screen time.
Hammond Druthers
Another member of the Breaking Bad alumni, Bryan Cranston portrays Ted’s boss Hammond Druthers at the architectural firm where he worked in season 2. His arrogance, bullying, and demeaning of his staff are in sharp contrast to Cranston’s other famous sitcom role as all-around nice guy Hal in Malcolm in the Middle.
Druthers’ appalling workplace behavior changes little even after he is demoted following his presentation of a large phallic-shaped building in the episode “Aldrin Justice.” He does develop a pseudo-friendship with Ted outside the office but continues to belittle and disparage his ideas in the workspace, highlighting his need to be the main man and the center of attention. Though he wouldn't have made a likable main character, Hammond certainly has the big personality and energy for a starring role.
Patrice
One of the kindest and well-intentioned people in the whole of How I Met Your Mother, Patrice is a co-worker of Robin at World Wide News. Robin’s dislike of Patrice is never truly explained, but it can be assumed that her positive outlook and bubbly personality rub Robin’s down-to-earth pragmatism the wrong way.
Introduced as a running gag for Robin to hurl abuse at, Patrice quickly became a much-loved character, instrumental in getting Robin and Barney together in the convoluted thread that runs through season 8. A breath of fresh air in the show, fans would love to get to know Patrice more and see her feature as a central character.
James Stinson
Barney’s suave brother James makes a number of different appearances during the show, often as a prophetic mirror to his brother. His choices and their consequences highlight to Barney the road that may lie ahead for him, making him an important character in the show. For example, in his first appearance in the episode “Single Stamina," Barney comes to terms with the fact that someone just like him can indeed find someone and settle down. In the season 9 episode “Coming Back," it’s revealed that James has repeatedly cheated on his husband Tom, causing their marriage to fall apart, a sign of things to come for Barney’s own marriage.
Despite his own personal failings, James is portrayed positively as a more grounded version of Barney and does indeed attempt to atone for his mistakes and past infidelity. This makes him a compelling figure with nuanced main character energy.
Abby
One of the first major guest stars in HIMYM, Britney Spears first appeared as the receptionist at Stella’s dermatology practice. After quickly developing a huge crush on Ted, she eventually sleeps with Barney. After Barney ghosts her, she goes on a vendetta to sabotage his pickup attempts.
Ditzy, gullible, and innocent, Abby is an extremely likable character that deserves so much more than she gets. While she only appears in two episodes, Abby has the kind of contagious energy that makes you root for her, particularly as Barney exploits her to prove a point to Ted.
Ranjit
Appearing in the first episode of the show, and all subsequent seasons, Ranjit is easily one of the most likable and friendly characters in the entire show, known best for his always cheery greeting “Hello!” A chauffeur by trade, Ranjit is much more to the gang, providing advice, wisdom, and friendship over the series' run.
More so than any other supporting character, Ranjit is the closest to a sixth member of the gang, regularly hanging out with them in MacLarens, and being there for seminal moments of their lives, such as the night Ted meets Robin and Marshall and Lily’s wedding.