The Top 10: Actors in minor roles who later took the lead in the same drama

This one was Tom Harris’s idea. He started off with the first three and was strict about the rules: no spin-offs, ensembles or reappearances in more prominent roles that were not the lead.

1. David Suchet, before he was cast as Poirot, played Inspector Japp in Thirteen for Dinner, in which Peter Ustinov played Poirot.

2. Joan Hickson had a small part in Murder, She Said, in which Miss Marple was played by Margaret Rutherford, years before she herself played the role. Also nominated by the Happy Tramp.

3. Colin Baker, who played Commander Maxil opposite Peter Davison’s Doctor in “Arc of Infinity” before being cast in the main role a year later.

4. Peter Capaldi became the Doctor after playing Lobus Caecilius in “Fires of Pompei”. Thanks to Arieh Kovler, Elliot Kane, Adam Allcroft, Jack Franks, Lewis Baston, Charles Arthur and Richard Morris. That episode of Doctor Who also featured Karen Gillan, a future companion, pointed out Simon James.

5. Anne Phelan played four minor roles in Prisoner Cell Block H before taking over as top dog Myra Desmond towards the end of its run. She was Bernadette, “telecom message”, electronics firm receptionist and Officer Manson. Winning nomination from Dean Bullen.

6. Neil Dudgeon, who played a gardener in “Garden of Death” in 2011 when John Nettles was still in charge of Midsomer Murders. He then went on to take over as the DCI Barnaby, cousin of the original. Thanks to Faye Harland, Paul Edwards, Juanita Fogarty, Mike Martin, James Burton and Andy Mawn.

7. Ralf Little played a supporting character in series two and is now the lead since series nine of Death In Paradise. From Anushka Aubeelack and Sarah Terry.

8. Bernard Hepton played Toby Esterhase in the 1979 BBC television adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, then took the lead part of George Smiley in the first BBC radio version in 1988. Thanks to Franzi and Adrian Weale.

9. Steve Whitmire voiced and played several minor puppets in The Muppet Show before taking on the role of Kermit in 1990 after Jim Henson died. Nominated by Richard Morris.

10. Eddie. The dog in Frasier was originally played by Moose until he got too old and the role was taken over by his son Enzo in series 8. Enzo had appeared much earlier in the run as one of a box of puppies. Another fine nomination from Richard Morris.

There is always one, and this week there are four. Martin Sykes-Haas nominated Ronald Reagan, who played Commander Casey Abbot in Hellcats of the Navy before playing the Commander in Chief. Jimmy M and Cole Davis nominated Jeremy Corbyn, who played a minor background character for years before taking the lead in a national drama. And David McClure nominated David Cameron, who played the role of adviser to the chancellor when the UK fell out of the European exchange rate mechanism before going on to take the lead role in the Brexit drama.

Next week: Uses of repetition by leaders, such as “education, education and education” by You Know Who.

Coming soon: Bands named after films, such as All About Eve and They Might Be Giants.

Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk

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