When I first started plotting stories, I thought of side characters as set dressing. You know—best friends, comic relief, the love interest, the wise mentor who says something cryptic and vanishes. All there to prop up the “real” story.
But the deeper I got into writing, the more I realised: those characters matter more than I ever gave them credit for.
They don’t just support the plot—they shape it. They challenge the hero. They echo the theme. They help bring the world of your story to life.
And one of the best tools I found for building a solid supporting cast is something you’ve probably heard before: character archetypes.
What Are Archetypes, Really?
I used to confuse archetypes with clichés. (Another rookie mistake.)
But archetypes aren’t stereotypes—they’re story roles that tap into something universal. They’re recurring character types we instinctively recognise because we’ve seen them across time, cultures, and genres.
Think of them like starting templates—not cages. They give you a foundation you can build on, bend, or completely flip.
The Core Archetypes I Come Back To
There are tons of lists out there (some with 12, 16, 99…) but I tend to work with a handful of core archetypes that really help anchor a story. Here are a few that have stuck with me—and how they can serve your story.
🧙♂️ The Mentor
They offer guidance, experience, and sometimes a nudge in the right direction. Think Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandalf, or Haymitch from The Hunger Games.
What I’ve learned: The best mentors have flaws of their own. Sometimes they’re wrong. Sometimes they leave. And that’s what forces the hero to grow.
🎭 The Foil
This character highlights something about your protagonist by being their opposite. If your hero is cautious, the foil is reckless. If your hero bottles up emotions, the foil spills them everywhere.
In my own writing: I’ve used foils to test my protagonist’s beliefs—like a best friend who challenges the hero’s worldview without becoming the antagonist.
💘 The Love Interest
Yes, they can bring romance—but they also bring emotional risk. They remind the protagonist what’s at stake on a personal level.
Tip: Don’t let them exist just to cheer the hero on. Give them their own goals, fears, and arc. That’s when sparks really fly.
😈 The Shadow
Sometimes this is the villain. But it can also be someone who represents the path the hero could take if they gave in to their worst impulses.
Personal note: Writing a “shadow” character once helped me understand my protagonist better than anything else I’d done. It forced me to ask, “What if they made all the wrong choices?”
🎭 The Trickster / Wild Card
This character shakes things up—sometimes comic relief, sometimes the one who breaks the rules just when things are too neat. Think Jack Sparrow, or the Joker, depending on your tone.
What I’ve learned: Tricksters often speak uncomfortable truths no one else will say. Don’t underestimate them.
Archetypes Are Not Boxes
One of the most freeing things I discovered was that characters can shift archetypes throughout the story.
A mentor can become a shadow. A foil can become a love interest. A wild card might save the day—or make everything worse.
Don’t feel you have to tick a list. Use archetypes as a guide, not a blueprint.
Filling Out Your Cast
Here’s a trick I use now: once I know my protagonist and antagonist, I sketch out the rest of the cast based on function, not just personality.
Ask yourself:
- Who helps the protagonist change?
- Who challenges them?
- Who reflects their inner conflict?
- Who tests their loyalty, values, or heart?
Each character earns their place by serving the story and the theme.
Final Thought
I used to think writing great supporting characters was about finding the “right” mix of personalities. Now I know it’s about giving them purpose. Archetypes helped me see that.
Every character should have their own goal, their own arc, and their own moment to shine—even if they’re only in a handful of scenes.
Because the hero might carry the story—but the supporting cast is what makes it worth reading.
