The old v41 npc mod I have, I think it's superb npcs or something, has a debug feature that allows me to take control of an NPC, and another feature from some other mod allows me to prepare a gear/name template using the native game's player character creation templates and apply them to npcs in-game.

The idea to begin with a spouse (someone already gave the idea to start with a family) is also in that mod.

It's the only reason I am not migrating to v42.

The moment a mod comes up with these features, or v43 comes out with npcs, I might migrate.