Characters of Glee

Glee is a musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationship, sexuality and social issues. The initial main cast encompassed club director and Spanish teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), Will's wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), and eight club members played by Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz. For the second season, formerly recurring cast members Mike O'Malley, Heather Morris and Naya Rivera were promoted to the main cast.

The series has many supporting characters, including faculty members, students and relatives of the glee club members. Broadway stars including Idina Menzel, John Lloyd Young, Jonathan Groff, and Kristin Chenoweth have been featured in guest roles. A number of the principal actors were cast directly from Broadway, while those without theatrical backgrounds were required to demonstrate singing and dancing as well as acting ability.

Casting

, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Dianna Agron, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Chris Colfer and Cory Monteith]] In casting Glee, series creator Ryan Murphy sought out actors who could identify with the rush of starring in theatrical roles. Instead of using traditional network casting calls, Murphy spent three months on Broadway, where he found Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester), who had previously starred on stage in Hairspray and The Light in the Piazza, Lea Michele (Rachel Berry), who starred in Spring Awakening, and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang), from the Broadway revival of The King and I. The role of Rachel was written specifically for Michele.

Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel) had originally auditioned to play Artie Abrams. Although Colfer had no previous professional experience, Murphy was so impressed by Colfer's performance that the role of Kurt Hummel, named after the character Kurt from The Sound of Music, was created for him.

Auditioning actors with no theatrical experience were required to demonstrate their ability to sing and dance. Jayma Mays (Emma Pillsbury) auditioned with the song "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, while Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) initially submitted a tape of himself acting only, and was requested to submit a second, musical tape, in which he sang "a cheesy, '80s music-video-style version" of REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling".

Main characters

Artie Abrams

Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) is a guitarist and paraplegic manual wheelchair user. McHale describes Artie as a "nerd" who loves the glee club wholeheartedly and uses it as a form of escapism. During the first season, he begins to accept his disability and the fact he will never achieve his dream of becoming a dancer. He has a relationship with fellow New Directions member Tina Cohen-Chang, who breaks up with him at the beginning of the second season. Artie then loses his virginity to cheerleader Brittany Pierce, and with encouragement from his former bully, Puck, they begin dating.

McHale joined Glee from a dance background, and found it challenging to adapt to using a wheelchair, but was able to utilize his dancing ability in the episode "Dream On", in which Artie dances in a shopping mall during a fantasy flash mob sequence. The episode "Wheels", which places focus on Artie and his disability, drew criticism from a committee of performers with disabilities, who felt that casting an able-bodied actor to play a disabled student was inappropriate. Glee executive producer Brad Falchuk responded that while he understood the concern and frustration of disability advocates, McHale had the singing and acting ability, talent and charisma required for the role.

Rachel Berry

Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) is a "strong, driven" member of the glee club, who is misunderstood by her peers. Michele took the role in Glee because of Rachel's characterization, explaining: "Not only is she a singer, but she has so much heart — I think it's what we need on TV." and later dates Jesse St. James, the lead singer of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline, who ultimately betrays her in favor of his club. Rachel discovers that Vocal Adrenaline coach Shelby Corcoran is her birth mother—Rachel has two gay dads—but the two fail to forge a relationship. At the end of season one, Finn professes his love for her. They date over the summer and for several episodes in season two, but break up when Rachel makes out with Puck in revenge for Finn having lied about losing his virginity to Santana in season one. At the end of season two, they begin a renewed relationship. But in the prom episode, they broke up and Rachel regained her relationship with Finn in the end of nationals.

Tina Cohen-Chang

Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz) auditions for the glee club with the song "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry. She typically dresses in black like a goth. She goes on a date with Artie, and confesses to him that she has been faking a speech impediment since the sixth grade, explaining that she wanted to drive people away, but now that she's a part of the glee club, she no longer wants that. Their relationship continues through the end of that first year. Tina and Mike Chang are counselors at Asian Camp over the summer, and they fall for each other; Tina formally breaks off with Artie at the beginning of the second season, and she and Mike are still in love at the end of the school year, the only relationship in the glee club to survive the entire junior year of high school, and the longest continuous relationship between glee members since the club was formed.

Quinn Fabray

Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) is introduced as Finn's girlfriend, head of the cheerleading squad and president of the celibacy club. Quinn joins the glee club because Finn is a member, and because cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester wants her to bring the club down from the inside. but is kicked off the cheerleading team, becomes unpopular at school, In the episode "Mattress", Quinn tries to rejoin the Cheerios to be in the team's yearbook photograph, but ultimately decides she would rather be a part of the glee club where she feels accepted. In "Sectionals", Finn learns from Rachel that Puck is the father of Quinn's baby. He breaks up with Quinn, who tells Puck that she wishes to deal with her pregnancy by herself. In the season finale, Quinn gives birth to her daughter, whom Puck names Beth. The baby is adopted by Vocal Adrenaline coach Shelby Corcoran, Rachel’s birth mother (Idina Menzel). In the season one finale, he professes his love for Rachel before New Directions performs at Regionals. In the second season, Finn and Rachel are a couple. Finn is worried about his dwindling popularity, so Santana suggests that he reveal the truth to everyone that they had sex. However, as Finn recently learned that Rachel never slept with Jesse, but only told Finn so in an effort to make him jealous, he believes learning the truth will hurt Rachel because he lied that he was still a virgin. Rachel learns that Finn had slept with Santana and that no one told her. To get back at him, Rachel kisses Puck. He breaks up with her, telling her that although he loved her, he never thought she would purposely try to hurt him. Finn and Quinn get back together. Near the end of season 2, Finn realizes his true feelings for Rachel, during the funeral of Sue Sylvester's sister, and breaks up with Quinn afterward. Rachel and Finn renew their relationship after he kisses her at Nationals.

Burt Hummel

Burt Hummel (Mike O'Malley) is Kurt's father (and Finn's stepfather after his marriage to Carole Hudson) to whom Kurt comes out in the episode "Preggers". Both James Poniewozik for Time and Tim Stack for Entertainment Weekly praised O'Malley's performance in the storyline, with Poniewozik additionally commenting: "the fact that Dad [...] ends up not being the boor we think he's going to be is one of the first signs that Glee is growing up as a series, that having established a world of primary-color stereotypes, it's now willing to subvert those expectations." Initially a recurring cast member, O'Malley was promoted to a series regular from season two.

During the first season, Kurt acts as a matchmaker for Burt and Carole Hudson (Romy Rosemont), Finn's widowed mother. He feels left out when Burt and Finn bond, but Burt reassures him that he will always come first. Burt and Carole briefly live together, until he throws Finn out for using a homophobic slur against Kurt. In season two, Burt has a heart attack but recovers. He and Carole marry, using their vows to express pride in their sons.

Kurt Hummel

Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) is a singer who is bullied by the football team. He has a high vocal range, and is identified by Fox as a soprano singer. His voice could actually be described as a countertenor. Colfer originally auditioned for the role of Artie, however Murphy was so impressed by his performance that the role of Kurt was created for him, replacing a character named Rajish who was initially intended to be a member of the glee club. Colfer describes Kurt as "a tough guy in designer clothes", explaining that he "puts on a very confident, 'I'm better than you' persona, but underneath it all he's the same anxious and scared teen everyone is/was at some point." Over the course of the first season, Kurt comes out as gay and develops a crush on Finn. He also joins the football team as a kicker, with Finn's help, and the cheerleading squad as a singer, though he ultimately quits both. In the episode "Wheels", he competes with Rachel to perform "Defying Gravity" from Wicked. Murphy selected the song after Colfer relayed a story from his own high school days, whereby his drama teacher refused to let him sing it because of his gender. Early in season one, Mercedes develops a crush on Kurt, unaware that he is gay. She is hurt when he rejects her, but supportive when he confides his sexuality. After this, the two become especially close friends. and she became a main character in season two. Rivera characterizes Santana as "a bit of a bad girl", prone to sarcastic remarks. Though she stated in May 2009 that Santana "loves boys", she later deemed Brittany her character's soul mate. In March 2011, Falchuk confirmed, "Santana is a lesbian. She might not be ready to come out yet, but she is."

Brittany S. Pierce

portrays Brittany Pierce.]] Brittany S. Pierce (Heather Morris) is a cheerleader who joins the glee club with Quinn and Santana in the episode "Showmance". Prior to appearing in Glee, Morris was a back-up dancer for Beyoncé Knowles. She was originally hired as a choreographer to teach cast members Colfer and Ushkowitz the "Single Ladies" dance. A week later, she was cast as Brittany. Morris had a recurring role throughout the first season, and was promoted to a series regular for season two. Many of Brittany's lines are unscripted, and are instead devised by Murphy during filming, or improvised by Morris. Morris portrays Brittany as being "literally insane". She is used by the series' writers to say things no other character would, to the point that Morris considers some of her lines nonsensical. Brittany's character traits include finding recipes confusing, cheating off intellectually disabled classmates and not knowing her right hand from her left. Brittany has a physical relationship with Santana, in which Santana gives Brittany a hickey in the season 2 episode "Duets"; in that episode Brittany also has a brief romance with Artie that leads to a more serious relationship later in the season.

Emma Pillsbury

plays guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury.]] Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays) is the school's guidance counselor who has OCD, with obsessions and compulsions primarily focused on contamination and cleanliness. She has romantic feelings for Will. In an attempt to get over Will, Emma begins dating football coach Ken Tanaka, He briefly dates Rachel and Mercedes, but ruins his chances with Quinn by sexting Santana in her presence. Regardless, Puck attends the birth of his daughter, who he names Beth, and tells Quinn that he loves her. Following his return, Puck helps Artie hook up with Brittany, recruits Lauren Zizes for glee club, and falls in love with her.

Terri Schuester

Terri Schuester (Jessalyn Gilsig) was Will's wife of 5 years, but they were together 15 years total. Terri briefly believes herself to be pregnant, and pushes Will to take a better paying job as an accountant. but Terri undoes the damage and tells Will that she's been promoted to manager at work, and is being transferred to a new store in Miami. It is unknown whether she will return in season three.

Gilsig has deemed Terri "a woman of conviction," willing to do "whatever it takes" to keep Will from leaving her. Gilsig characterized Terri as emotionally still being in high school, and does not know how long her character will feature in the series, as she was initially only created as an obstacle to come between Emma and Will.

Will Schuester

and Matthew Morrison play rival club directors Sue Sylvester and Will Schuester.]] William "Will" Schuester (Matthew Morrison) is McKinley High's Spanish teacher who becomes director of the glee club, hoping to restore it to its former glory. Morrison has assessed that the crux of Glee is "about [Will's] passion for music and influencing his kids". Will is married to his high school sweetheart Terri. Believing her to be pregnant, unaware that she actually experienced a hysterical pregnancy, he considers leaving the teaching field to become an accountant. After discovering Terri faked her pregnancy, In season 2, he starts a relationship with Holly Holliday (Gwyneth Paltrow) in the episode "Sexy." Eventually, Holly gets a job in Cleveland, leaving Will to pursue Emma. April Rhodes returns and asks for his help with her new project: a one-woman show entitled Crossrhodes. He later decides that his kids in New Directions are more important than his dreams of Broadway.

Sue Sylvester

Susan "Sue" Sylvester (Jane Lynch) is the coach of the cheerleading squad called the Cheerios, and the glee club's "arch-nemesis." having been created as a product of Murphy, Brennan and Falchuk's "inner mean girl." Sue enlists cheerleaders Quinn, Brittany and Santana to help her bring the glee club down from the inside. In the episode "Wheels," Sue allows Becky Jackson, a girl with Down Syndrome to join the Cheerios as a replacement for Quinn. It is later revealed that Sue has an older sister who herself has Down Syndrome, showing a softer side to her normally brash character. and that he joins the glee club despite it being "social suicide" as "he has finally found a place where he can express himself and feel accepted." Initially a supporting character with no storylines of his own, Mike was slowly developed by the series writers. In the final episode of season one, Mike says that before New Directions, "I was afraid to dance outside my room." and is selected to perform a dance routine with Brittany for Sectionals in "Special Education." He performs the show's first solo dance routine in "A Night of Neglect". In November 2010, Kristin dos Santos of E! Online reported that Shum would be promoted to a series regular from season three.

Sam Evans

Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet) is a transfer student who joins the football team in season two. Encouraged by Finn to audition for New Directions, he joins the males of the group in a performance of "Billionaire," the same song with which Overstreet studio tested for Glee. Overstreet later confirmed this, but stated that his storyline had been adjusted to pair Sam with Quinn, as a result of the chemistry the producers detected between himself and Agron.

Jacob Ben Israel

portrays Jacob Ben Israel.]] Jacob Ben Israel (Josh Sussman) is the editor of the school newspaper. He has been compared in the media to Perez Hilton and Gossip Girl. Jacob has a crush on Rachel, who feels uneasy around him but relies on him for positive reviews. Although he attends Celibacy Club meetings, Jacob behaves in a sexually forward manner toward Rachel, threatening to sabotage her musical career unless she shows him her bra, blackmailing her for a pair of her panties in the episode "Throwdown" and masturbating over video footage of her in "Britney/Brittany." He briefly joins New Directions in order to fill the membership quota for sectionals, as a temporary replacement for Finn. Although he does not sing in the competition, he remains with the club throughout the remainder of the episode, helping them to listen in on the judges.

Becky Jackson

Becky Jackson (Lauren Potter) is a member of the Cheerios with Down Syndrome, who becomes a sidekick to Sue. Potter is a member of the Down's Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, and was contacted about auditioning through the association's in-house talent agency, Hearts and Hands. Fourteen actresses auditioned for the role, which Potter deemed "a great experience" to perform. Becky appears in three episodes of the first season, "Wheels", "The Power of Madonna" and "Home" and returns in the second season as Sue Sylvester's "secretary" and does everything she tells her to do, including heckling the glee club in "A Night of Neglect". She is briefly kicked off the cheerleading squad by Sue in "Funeral" after Sue's sister, who also has Down Syndrome, dies, and asks to join Glee; she is told that it's too late in the show choir season, but is offered a spot next year. Sue then apologies to Becky, reinstates her, and tells Becky she'll be captain of the Cheerios in the fall.

Dave Karofsky

portrays Dave Karofsky.]] Dave Karofsky (Max Adler) is a bully and McKinley High athlete, first appearing in the episode "Mash-Up" as a member of the hockey team who slushies Finn, He later warns Kurt not to tell anyone about it, threatening to kill him if he does. He is expelled for his death threat, but allowed to return by the school board as no physical violence was witnessed—and Kurt had not revealed the kiss. With the football team on the verge of collapsing due to their schism over the glee club, Coach Beiste and Will Schuester force the football team to join the club for a week to settle their differences and dispel their prejudices in The Sue Sylvester Shuffle. Despite being praised by Will as a good performer and dancer, and successfully pulling off "She's Not There" by The Zombies, an attack by the hockey team leads to a mass walkout by the non-glee members of the team rather than perform in the football championship's halftime show, and Beiste kicks them off the team. On championship night, when the team relents just before the half-time show, Karofsky still refuses to participate for fear of losing status, but he joins in when he sees the crowd's positive reaction to the start of the half-time show mashup of "Thriller/Heads Will Roll." In school, Finn approaches Karofsky about joining the club, but Karofsky scathingly turns him down, now that he has reestablished his position at the top of the social ladder. In the episode "Born This Way," he issues an apology to Kurt at a group meeting involving Will, Principal Figgins, and their fathers. In "Prom Queen," Karofsky tells Kurt, tearfully, that he is sorry for what he did to him. Kurt tells him to try and be who he really is, to "come out" as the two head for their Prom King and Prom Queen dance, but Karofsky is unable to take such a big step and runs off.

Adler had previously questioned his character's motivations, but was surprised by the scene in which Karofsky kisses Kurt. He commented that he was "glad to represent such a large group of people," expanding: "I've gotten so many messages from people all around the world these last couple of days thanking me because either they are Karofsky, they were Karofsky or they know a Karofsky." that aired in April 2011. He elaborated that "Glee is by nature optimistic and I think a character like Karofsky could turn to booze or pills or alcohol and kill themselves or do something dark. But I also love Max and I love that character and I sorta want that character to have a happy ending."

Matt Rutherford

Matt Rutherford (Dijon Talton) is a football player who joins New Directions in the episode "Preggers," Talton has called Matt a typical football player with a talent for singing and dancing, who always wanted to perform but felt forced to choose between performing and being "cool." Talton explained that Finn joining the glee club made it more acceptable for Matt to be honest with himself about what he wanted to do, and that he is becoming more comfortable being in the glee club, "what it stands for, how it makes him feel." Of his characterization, he revealed:

Lauren Zizes

Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink) is the McKinley High AV club president and a state champion in Greco Roman wrestling. During the first season, Kurt tells his father that Lauren's parents had to sue the school district to get Lauren a spot on the wrestling team. Lauren has an acerbic personality and is admired by Puck for being "a bigger bad-ass" than he is. She is overweight and has a love of candy, specifically Cadbury Creme Eggs. Lauren has occasionally been seen dressing in the Goth style and is a fan of the Twilight book series. She joins New Directions in the episode "Special Education," enabling the club to meet the member quota for sectionals. Early in her tenure, she claims that show choir is stupid, but on several subsequent occasions she is seen enjoying singing and performing in the background. She performs "I Know What Boys Like", her first solo, in "Comeback." She campaigns with Puck for prom king and queen.

Other McKinley High students

In the season one episode "Ballad," Sarah Drew makes a guest appearance as Suzy Pepper, a senior with "an insane, absurd, psychotic crush on Mr. Schuester." Drew described Suzy as "kind of stalkerish and creepy," but ultimately redeemable. James Poniewozik of Time commented positively on Suzy's characterization, observing that while she appeared to be a "throwaway dorky-girl stereotype," she was "fleshed-out as a person," a feat he doubted the series would have been capable of earlier in the season.

McKinley High faculty

Shannon Beiste

Shannon Beiste (Dot-Marie Jones) is the new football coach in season two, replacing Ken Tanaka. She comes to William McKinley High with an enviable record of coaching successful football teams, and Principal Figgins boosts the football program budget for her by reducing the cheerleading and glee club budgets, which dismays Sue and Will, and drives them into a temporary alliance against her. Beiste is dismayed by their rudeness, but forgives Will when he apologizes and goes on to develop a friendship with him. She contemplates resigning upon learning that several students have been fantasizing about her in order to curb their arousal while making out. Will has the students apologize and earn her forgiveness. He also learns that Beiste has never been kissed, which leads to him giving her a first kiss. Beiste is later complicit in helping the glee club members preserve Brittany's continued belief in Santa Claus. She explains why Brittany's wish that Artie be made to walk cannot be granted; later, she anonymously obtains a ReWalk to allow Artie to walk for short periods of time. When antagonism flares between the football team's glee and non-glee factions, Beiste forces the football team and glee club to work together for one week despite encountering resistance and set-backs, the plan is ultimately successful and the team win a championship game. During the episode "Blame It on the Alcohol," Beiste takes Will out for a fun time at a rodeo bar where she sings her first solo: "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer."

Principal Figgins

Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba) is William McKinley High School's "stern but fair" principal. Figgins allows Will to take over the school glee club; however, he insists that the students must place at Regionals in order for the club to continue. He has stated that Figgins may perform a musical number on the show in the future. The role of Holly was created for her by series creator Ryan Murphy, a personal friend who suggested that she showcase her vocal and dancing talent ahead of the December 2010 release of the film Country Strong, in which Paltrow plays a country singer. Holly makes a return appearance in the episode "Sexy" as McKinley's new sex education teacher, in which it is revealed that she attended an all-women's college. In that same episode she also begins a romantic relationship with Will. Holly's last Season 2 appearance was in the episode "A Night of Neglect," where she sings "Turning Tables" by Adele at the benefit and breaks off her relationship with Will because she knows he is in love with Emma. On March 17, it was confirmed that Paltrow and her character will return for a series of guest appearances in the show's third season. In the first season Finn mentions Gwenyth Paltrow named her child Apple when he and Quinn debate on what to name their baby.

Sandy Ryerson

Sandy Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowsky) is the former director of the McKinley High glee club. Although he claims to have a girlfriend, Rachel refers to him as a "closet case," and he is fired for his inappropriate sexual behavior towards a male student. Following his firing, he becomes a drug dealer, reselling medical marijuana. and gives Will advice about beating rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline. Tim Stack for Entertainment Weekly has praised Sandy as "one of the most reliable characters for great lines and laughs." In the first few episodes, it was implied heavily that Sandy was gay. Season two episode "A Night of Neglect" confirmed this, with Sandy characterizing himself as a "predatory gay". He also joins Sue Sylvester’s "League of Doom" (codename "The Pink Dagger") in that episode, but ends up donating money to support the school's academic decathlon team.

Ken Tanaka

played football coach Ken Tanaka.]] Ken Tanaka (Patrick Gallagher) was the head coach of the football team and was previously engaged to Emma. Gallagher has stated: "I think you understand where Ken comes from as they go on. You understand where the bitterness comes from, and people may start to like him a little. Ken will keep going [after Emma]. Ken will go after what he wants. The one thing Ken won't do is give up." Though Gallagher is Chinese-Irish, Ken is Japanese. Comparing himself to his character, Gallagher detailed: "I'm more like him than I care to admit. I realized I was going for what I like to think as an older version of me from years ago. I think Ken is not happy with where he is in life. I think he's still got a good heart, but there's this insecurity and bitterness piled on top of it. I think love is in Ken's head, and love for me is kind of an idealistic concept. But one thing I really respect about him is that he goes after something: He just doggedly pursues Emma. I wish I was more like that. In some ways, he's a little bit braver than I am. I mean — look at what he wears. That takes guts." Gallagher feels that he draws much of Ken's characterization from himself, while also "channeling" his high school gym teachers. Principal Figgins explains that Ken had a nervous breakdown.

Other McKinley High faculty

John Lloyd Young guest stars in the episode "Acafellas" as Henri St. Pierre, "a retired wood shop teacher with an excellent singing voice". Molly Shannon appears as Brenda Castle, an alcoholic astronomy teacher and badminton coach who clashes with Sue. Brad Ellis plays Brad, the pianist who accompanies New Directions.

Rival choir personnel

Blaine Anderson

Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss) is a gay student at Dalton Academy and a member of the Warblers, a season 2 Sectionals and Regionals rival of New Directions. The character is a love interest for Kurt, though in the episode "Blame It on the Alcohol", he and Rachel kissed. He also questions his sexuality in the same episode but comes to realize he is indeed gay. Murphy stated, "Darren has a major, major arc... He sort of becomes Kurt's mentor and then maybe love — he had to leave his own school because of bullying and goes to an all-boys academy and finds acceptance because that school has a no-bullying, zero-tolerance policy." Kurt greatly admires and respects Blaine, and develops a crush on him. During "Original Song", Blaine realizes he reciprocates Kurt's feeling, and they kiss. They subsequently attend Kurt's prom as a couple.

Sunshine Corazon

portrays Sunshine Corazon.]] Sunshine Corazon (Charice) is a foreign exchange student from the Philippines. Rachel invites her to glee club after seeing Sunshine sing along to New Directions' version of "Empire State of Mind", mistakenly thinking that Sunshine idolized her. After the two competitively sing "Telephone", however, Rachel is threatened by Sunshine's singing prowess and tricks her into going to a crack house instead of the auditions. Rachel is found out, and Sunshine eventually does audition, amazing the club with "Listen". Though she is immediately accepted into the club, Sue Sylvester contacts Dustin Goolsby, the new director of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline, who secures permanent U.S. residency and a condominium unit for Sunshine and her mother on the provision that she join his club. Sunshine confesses that she would have loved to stay, but she felt that Rachel would have made her stay a "living hell". In "A Night of Neglect", Sunshine appears as a member of Carmel High's academic decathlon team though they lose to the McKinley High team. Sunshine hears of New Direction's fundraising benefit and volunteers as a singer and promises to get her six hundred Twitter followers to attend. Though Rachel is suspicious that she might be a spy, they accept her offer after she sings "All By Myself. However, Dustin Goolsby pulls her out of the fundraiser and her followers do not attend. Sunshine reappears in the season two finale "New York". Rachel apologises to Sunshine and convinces her not to quit Vocal Adrenaline, despite her being their biggest threat. Sunshine subsequently performs the original song "As Long As You're There" with Vocal Adrenaline who place in the top ten.

International pop singer Charice was signed to join the recurring cast, and returned in "A Night of Neglect" to help with the glee club's fundraiser for the academic decathlon team, though Vocal Adrenaline director Dustin Goolsby prevented her from performing. She appears with Vocal Adrenaline at the Nationals competition in the season two finale, "New York". Co-creator and executive producer Brad Falchuk has not ruled out Sunshine returning to New Directions in season three.

Shelby Corcoran

Shelby Corcoran (Idina Menzel) is the coach of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline during season one, described by Murphy as "a sort of Faye Dunaway of Network". She makes out with Will shortly after meeting him, but she resists sleeping with him when he says his divorce is not yet final and that he has just broken up with his new girlfriend, Emma. Fans had lobbied for Menzel to be cast as Rachel's biological mother, due to the strong resemblance between Menzel and Michele. In the episode "Dream On", it is revealed that Shelby is, in fact, Rachel's biological mother. She had signed a contract that stated that she could not seek out her daughter until she was eighteen. In the season one finale, "Journey to Regionals", Shelby adopts Quinn Fabray's newborn daughter, Beth. She leaves Vocal Adrenaline before the beginning of the next school year.

Dustin Goolsby

portrays Dustin Goolsby.]] Dustin Goolsby (Cheyenne Jackson) is the new director of rival glee club, Vocal Adrenaline, the national champions for the past four years, replacing Shelby Corcoran. Murphy described Dustin as "a complete villain", stating that he will "become very intertwined in Will's life". He is first introduced in the episode "Audition", escorting Sunshine out of William McKinley High School after being tipped off by Sue, who was looking to get revenge on Will for backing out of their conspiracy against Coach Beiste. Goolsby has already demonstrated a willingness to use underhanded tactics to gain a competitive edge, offering to sponsor Sunshine's visa and arranging an apartment for her and her family as payment for her joining Vocal Adrenaline despite her being enrolled at McKinley High. He returned in A Night of Neglect, joining Sue's "League of Doom" to help sabotage the McKinley glee club, and returns again to coach Vocal Adrenaline at Nationals competition in the season two finale, New York.

Jackson was originally considered for the role of Will, and in 2009 was initially cast in the Glee episode "Acafellas" as Vocal Adrenaline choreographer Dakota Stanley, but he was unable to perform due to illness.

Grace Hitchens

played rival glee club director Grace Hitchens.]] Grace Hitchens (Eve) is the show choir director of the Jane Addams Academy for troubled female youth. She is persuaded by Sue to use songs from New Directions' set list at Sectionals to give her group an edge in the competition. Whitney Houston had been contacted to appear, but declined, so Eve took her place. Discussing her casting, Eve stated: "I got asked and I'd heard the buzz about the show. When the first pilot episode came out, I figured it was something different and something we haven't seen on TV before. I didn't want to turn it down!" Gerrick D. Kennedy for the Los Angeles Times was impressed by Eve's acting and "on-screen charm", and felt that she worked nicely in the "Hairography" episode. In contrast, Bobby Hankinson for the Houston Chronicle was disappointed Houston had not taken the role, and criticized Eve for her lack of personality.

Jesse St. James

Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff) is the male lead of Vocal Adrenaline and one of the main antagonists of the first season. He is directed to befriend Rachel by Vocal Adrenaline coach Shelby Corcoran, who is secretly her biological mother. Jesse and Rachel begin dating, and he briefly transfers to McKinley High, joining New Directions. Once the truth about Shelby is revealed, however, Jesse transfers back. He ends his relationship with Rachel by egging her in the McKinley High parking lot along with his fellow members of Vocal Adrenaline, humiliating her. In the episode "Prom Queen", he returns, after having flunked out of college, in an attempt to befriend Rachel again, claiming that his biggest regret was choosing Vocal Adrenaline over love. He joins Rachel, Sam and Mercedes, who have teamed up to go do "prom on a budget", at the McKinley junior prom. He sets up a consulting business to help show choirs with their performances; his first client is New Directions. His attempts to resume a relationship with Rachel ultimately fail; she and Finn get back together.

In a controversial essay for Newsweek, critic Ramin Setoodeh wrote that Groff, who is openly gay, was unconvincing as the straight Jesse ("he seems more like your average theater queen, a better romantic match for Kurt than Rachel"). Groff's performance was defended by Murphy and guest star Kristin Chenoweth, both of whom described Setoodeh's essay as homophobic; it was also condemned by GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios.

Other rival choir personnel

Whit Hertford appears as Dakota Stanley, a glee club choreographer who worked for Vocal Adrenaline early in season one, and was briefly hired by New Directions. Senior Dalton Academy Warblers include Wes (Telly Leung), David (Titus Makin, Jr.), and Thad (Eddy Martin), who run the group's meetings.

Acquaintances of New Directions

Kendra Giardi

Kendra Giardi (Jennifer Aspen) is Terri's sister. She and her husband Phil (Michael Loeffelholz) have triplet sons (played by Ethan, Aidan, and Ben Freedman). She influences most of Terri's decisions during her 'pregnancy' by complying Terri's decisions to tell Will and helping her in most of her schemes. In the episode "Throwdown", Kendra and Terri bully their obstetrician, Dr. Wu (Kenneth Choi), into faking an ultrasound to convince Will the baby is real. Entertainment Weeklys Wendy Mitchell deemed Kendra "hilarious" and wished to see more of her. In contrast, fellow Entertainment Weekly writer Ken Tucker described her as "a garish cartoon who exists only to further the pregnancy plotting".

Carl Howell

portrays Carl Howell.]] Carl Howell (John Stamos) is a dentist, introduced in "Britney/Brittany" as Emma's boyfriend. As a fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Carl volunteers to play Eddie in McKinley High's school production of the musical. He dislikes Emma and Will spending time alone together, aware that Will has feelings for her. In the episode "Special Education", Carl and Emma marry in Las Vegas. However, after Emma naively advocates abstinence to the glee club with a performance of "Afternoon Delight", a song actually about the joys of sex, Carl requests a private couples counseling session with Holly Holliday, the acting sexual education teacher, as his and Emma's marriage hadn't been consummated after four months. Holly forces Emma to admit she is still attracted to Will, leading to Carl walking out and filing for annulment.

Carole Hudson

Carole Hudson (Romy Rosemont) is Finn's widowed mother and Kurt's stepmother, and wife to Kurt's dad Burt. When Finn was young, she had a relationship with a lawn-care worker who left her for a younger woman. They decide to move in together, until Finn uses a homophobic slur against Kurt and Burt refuses to allow him to stay in his home. James Poniewozik of Time felt that Carole's reaction to the news of Quinn's pregnancy demonstrated how far Glee had evolved from the "broadly caricatured show" it was in its early episodes. He commented that in the pilot episode, Carole was "just the slightly pathetic figure we saw pining after the lawn-care guy", however her reaction to Quinn's pregnancy was "a brilliant bit of characterization through small moments", an example of how "Glee is becoming very good at showing how life happens in small exchanges in people's laundry rooms and finished basements." as well as Will's high school crush, who never acknowledged his existence. She briefly rejoins the glee club as an adult, during a period of time in which Rachel had left the club and it was in need of a female lead. During her revisit to the school, she gives manhustler magazines and alcohol to Kurt, she teaches Mercedes and Tina how to shoplift, and has a brief romance with Puck. April appears once again, at which point she has become the mistress to an elderly tycoon and is the owner/operator of a "cabaret roller rink". Suddenly her boyfriend dies and she is paid $2 million in hush money by the widow not to go to the newspapers. April then decides to buy the glee club their auditorium back, now called The April Rhodes Civic Pavilion, and return to Broadway to back an all-white version of The Wiz. The show flops, and she returns in the season 2 episode "Rumours" to get Will's help with her new one-woman show, CrossRhodes. Raymund Flandez for The Wall Street Journal was equally positive regarding Chenoweth's role, praising her "powerful voice", "kittenish mien" and "commanding presence". Eric Goldman for IGN stated that Chenoweth was "terrific" as April, and that the character was a "hysterical creation". The Los Angeles Times Denise Martin praised Chenoweth's versatility as April, opining that her performance was worthy of a second Emmy win.

Jean Sylvester

Jean Sylvester (Robin Trocki) is Sue Sylvester's older sister. Jean, who has Down syndrome, lives in an assisted living facility, and is the only character Sue consistently treats with care and compassion. She is a factor in Sue's decision to admit Becky Jackson – who also has Down syndrome – to the Cheerios. Jean dies near the end of the second season, in the episode Funeral .

Bryan Ryan

played Bryan Ryan on 2010]] Bryan Ryan (Neil Patrick Harris) is Will's high school nemesis. Bryan appears in "Dream On" as a school board member, out to cut the arts program as revenge for it giving him false hope. Harris won the 2010 Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series" for his appearance.

Other acquaintances of New Directions

Guest stars have included Victor Garber and Debra Monk as Will's parents. Josh Groban and Olivia Newton-John have appeared as themselves, acting as judges at the show choir regionals competition. Kent Avenido appears as Howard Bamboo, Terri's dyslexic coworker who joins the Acafellas, and Kenneth Choi plays Dr. Wu, Terri's obstetrician. Bill A. Jones appears as Rod Remington, a self-centered local news anchor and Sue's former love interest, while Earlene Davis plays Andrea Carmichael, Rod's co-anchor. Carol Burnett appears as Sue's "famous Nazi hunter" mother in season two. Kathleen Quinlan appears as Dr. Shane, a psychiatrist treating Emma Pillsbury.

Future characters

Javier Bardem and Anne Hathaway have been confirmed to guest star in the future. Also in development is another student with Down syndrome named Jared (Luke Spinelli), who was seen dancing with Becky Jackson in the episode "Prom Queen".

The winner of the upcoming The Glee Project will be cast in a recurring role. Glee creator Ryan Murphy had indicated that if the winner is male he may be a love interest for Mercedes, though Mercedes has since found a love interest in Sam Evans.

References

External links

Glee