Here are some of the characteristics of secondary characters:
- They are developed enough to have their own character arcs and motivations, but not as developed as the protagonist.
- They help move the plot forward and contribute to the development of the main character and story.
- They may have a backstory that is revealed throughout the story, but it may not be as detailed as that of the main character.
- They may be friends, family members, colleagues, antagonists, or even mentors to the main character.
- They may have their own conflicts, goals, and challenges that intersect with the main character's journey.
- They can add depth, complexity, and richness to the story by providing different perspectives, experiences, and relationships.
- They can provide the main character with support, advice, or opposition.
- Their own decisions and actions may impact the main character and the outcome of the story.
- They may contribute to the overall themes, messages, and ideas of the story.
- They may make appearances in multiple stories or parts of a series, but their role is usually subordinate to the main character.
Examples of secondary characters include Harry Potter's best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Katniss Everdeen's mentors Haymitch Abernathy and Effie Trinket, or Tony Stark's friend and armor designer James Rhodes in the Iron Man movies.