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nrjxll
Since: Nov, 2010
MockingQuantum
Since: Apr, 2013

Is there a trope for when a character is referred to, more than once or twice, in a work of fiction, but then never appears?Not in the case of a Living MacGuffin, like Godot in Waiting for Godot, but a character that may or may not have direct impact on the plot. They just never show up. I have two examples I know of:
In Shakespeare's Richard II, the Earl of Wiltshire is mentioned numerous times by various characters as being one of Richard's supporters. However, he never appears onstage, even though he's important enough for the play to tell us he's been executed, and everyone was very sad about it.
In Simon R. Green's Nightside books, characters that figured into earlier books, or appear in later ones, are often referred to as if we should know who they are, even though the manner in which the books were published doesn't always make it seem like they were meant to be read in a particular order (which is supported by sometimes strange inconsistencies and contradictions between books). Two characters in particular that fall victim to this are Razor Eddie and Suzie Shooter.
I'm thinking of situations where this isn't played for comedic effect, but is just sort of a cryptic offscreen reference. I know my examples fall under Continuity Lockout, to a point (though the Richard II one would be such because the audiences of the time would have understood the importance of Wiltshire, making this a 400 year old example of the trope). Any thoughts?