Carlton Moss

Carlton Moss turns up in Arlen as one of the town's many minor fixtures, the kind of face that slots into a barbecue or a beer run without needing introduction. He carries himself with the easy, unbothered confidence of a man who has already decided how the conversation is going to go.

Stephen Root built a career on exactly this kind of role, sliding into King of the Hill's ensemble alongside his other Arlen voices and giving even a small part a distinct rhythm and dry conviction. The show trusts its bit players to feel lived-in, and Root's delivery makes Carlton register instantly rather than blend into the background.