^This.I don't really care, as long as they properly devote story time to make them enjoyable. And that focus can shift from season to season. For example, season 1 of a show, might focus around the main protag, and their family members, but season 2, has the family relegated to mostly support, as another group of characters, and their plight, becomes the focus.
That's perfectly fine.
So yeah, depends on the show. I will say the larger the cast gets, the harder it is to give everyone sufficient development, but I've never said "This many and NO further!" for a specific number.
This.I don't really care, as long as they properly devote story time to make them enjoyable. And that focus can shift from season to season. For example, season 1 of a show, might focus around the main protag, and their family members, but season 2, has the family relegated to mostly support, as another group of characters, and their plight, becomes the focus.
That's perfectly fine.
So yeah, depends on the show. I will say the larger the cast gets, the harder it is to give everyone sufficient development, but I've never said "This many and NO further!" for a specific number.