Mary Murphy
The 15 Most Loved TV Characters of All Time
Television has given us unforgettable characters who feel like old friends, making us laugh, cry, and root for them through every twist and turn.
These fictional people have shaped our viewing experiences and sparked countless conversations around water coolers and dinner tables.
Some are heroes, others are complicated antiheroes, but all have captured our hearts in ways that transcend the screen. Here are fifteen characters who’ve earned a permanent place in television history and in our memories.
1. Jesse Pinkman – Breaking Bad
Yo, Mr. White! Jesse started as a small-time meth cook and became one of the most heartbreaking characters ever written.
His journey from reckless punk to tortured soul showed incredible depth.
Aaron Paul brought raw emotion to every scene, making us feel Jesse’s pain, guilt, and desperate search for redemption.
Fans connected with his vulnerability in a show full of hardened criminals.
He represented the conscience Breaking Bad desperately needed.
Despite terrible choices, Jesse never lost his humanity completely.
His loyalty to those he loved, even when betrayed, made him impossible not to root for.
The character earned Aaron Paul three Emmy Awards and countless fans worldwide who still quote his iconic catchphrases today.
2. Chandler Bing – Friends
Could this BE any more iconic?
Chandler’s sarcastic humor and awkward charm made him the funniest Friend in the apartment.
Matthew Perry delivered one-liners with perfect timing that had audiences rolling with laughter every single episode.
His character evolved from commitment-phobic joker to devoted husband, showing real growth.
The romance with Monica became one of television’s sweetest love stories.
Chandler’s insecurities made him relatable to viewers who saw themselves in his struggles.
His defense mechanism of using humor to hide pain resonated deeply.
Fans appreciated how he supported his friends through every crisis with loyalty and laughs.
Even now, people use his distinctive speech patterns in everyday conversation, proving his lasting cultural impact.
3. Tyrion Lannister – Game of Thrones
Tyrion proved that intelligence could be deadlier than any weapon in Westeros.
Peter Dinklage brought sophistication and wit to the sharp-tongued Lannister who survived through cleverness alone.
Despite constant mockery for his dwarfism, Tyrion never let others define his worth or limit his ambitions.
He served as Hand of the King multiple times, proving his strategic brilliance repeatedly.
His dark humor and philosophical observations made even brutal scenes entertaining.
Fans admired his resilience against a family that never truly accepted him.
Tyrion drinking wine and knowing things became a beloved internet meme.
His trial speech remains one of television’s most powerful monologues ever delivered.
4. Tommy Shelby – Peaky Blinders
Tommy Shelby walks into every room like he owns it, and usually, he does.
Cillian Murphy’s icy blue stare and controlled intensity created a gangster unlike any other on television.
Tommy built an empire from Birmingham’s streets while battling PTSD from World War I trenches.
His strategic mind calculated ten steps ahead of enemies, making him fascinating to watch.
The character’s complexity showed a man torn between ambition and the ghosts haunting him.
Fans obsessed over his sharp suits, razor-blade caps, and philosophical musings about power.
Tommy’s love for his family, despite his cold exterior, revealed unexpected warmth.
His tragic romance and moral struggles made him compellingly human beneath the hardened criminal facade.
5. Damon Salvatore – The Vampire Diaries
Introduced as the bad vampire everyone despised, Damon quickly became the one we couldn’t resist loving.
Ian Somerhalder infused him with dangerous charisma that made morally questionable actions somehow forgivable.
His snarky comments and bourbon-drinking habits became signature traits fans adored.
Beneath the cocky exterior lived a deeply wounded soul capable of profound love and sacrifice.
The evolution from villain to hero happened so gradually that viewers barely noticed their shifting allegiance.
Damon’s relationship with Elena became the show’s emotional core, though his bromance with Stefan mattered equally.
His one-liners delivered comedy gold in even the darkest supernatural storylines.
Fans appreciated how he owned his flaws while slowly becoming a better person without losing his edge completely.
6. Berlin – Money Heist
Andrés de Fonollosa, better known as Berlin, stole more than money—he stole every scene he appeared in with theatrical flair.
Pedro Alonso portrayed this terminally ill thief as equal parts charming psychopath and romantic philosopher.
His narcissism and cruelty should have made him hateable, yet somehow he became a fan favorite.
Berlin’s obsession with elegance and opera created a unique criminal unlike typical heist show villains.
His complicated relationship with the Professor added emotional depth to their criminal partnership.
Fans debated endlessly whether his actions could be forgiven or if his charisma blinded them.
His dramatic death scene left viewers devastated despite his many terrible deeds.
The character proved so popular that Netflix created an entire spin-off series exploring his backstory and previous heists.
7. Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon’s lack of social skills and rigid routines turned everyday situations into comedy gold for twelve seasons straight.
Jim Parsons won four Emmy Awards bringing this brilliant physicist to life with perfect comedic timing.
His quirks—from his spot on the couch to his roommate agreement—became instantly recognizable worldwide.
Sheldon’s inability to understand sarcasm or social cues created endless hilarious misunderstandings.
Despite his often selfish behavior, viewers saw genuine growth as he learned about friendship and love.
His relationship with Amy showed that even someone seemingly incapable of romance could find connection.
Fans quoted his catchphrases and dressed as him for Halloween year after year.
The character became so beloved that CBS created Young Sheldon, exploring his childhood in Texas.
8. Dean Winchester – Supernatural
For fifteen seasons, Dean Winchester faced monsters head-on while keeping spirits high with his classic rock vibes.
Jensen Ackles brought depth to this tough hunter who hid emotional vulnerability behind wisecracks and pie obsessions.
His devotion to his brother Sam formed the show’s emotional foundation through apocalypses and everything in between.
Fans connected with his struggles balancing duty with his desire for normal life and happiness.
His relationship with Castiel created one of television’s most discussed dynamics, whether platonic or romantic.
Dean’s taste in music introduced younger viewers to classic rock legends.
His sacrifice and loyalty made him the ultimate big brother figure millions wished they had.
9. Dexter Morgan – Dexter
Dexter made audiences root for a serial killer by targeting only those who deserved his dark passenger’s attention.
Michael C. Hall’s chilling performance created sympathy for someone who should terrify us completely.
His internal monologue gave viewers access to thoughts most people never voice, creating uncomfortable identification.
Dexter’s struggle to appear normal while hiding his true nature resonated with anyone who’s felt like an outsider.
His code—only killing murderers who escaped justice—gave his actions a twisted moral framework.
The character explored fascinating questions about nature versus nurture and whether monsters can change.
His relationships with Rita, Deb, and Harrison showed his desperate attempts at human connection.
Fans debated whether Dexter was hero, villain, or something entirely more complicated than simple labels allowed.
10. Jon Snow – Game of Thrones
You know nothing, Jon Snow—except how to be honorable in a world that punishes goodness at every turn.
Kit Harington portrayed the brooding bastard who rose from nothing to become King in the North.
His unwavering sense of duty and justice made him a rare hero in Westeros’s morally gray landscape.
Jon’s leadership at the Night’s Watch and beyond inspired loyalty from unlikely allies across the Seven Kingdoms.
His romance with Ygritte showed vulnerability beneath his stoic warrior exterior, breaking hearts when tragedy struck.
The reveal of his true parentage as Aegon Targaryen shocked viewers and changed everything about his story.
Fans admired his willingness to make hard choices for the greater good, even unto death.
His resurrection proved that sometimes good guys do get second chances in brutal fantasy worlds.
11. JJ – Outer Banks
JJ brings chaotic energy and fierce loyalty to the Pogues’ treasure-hunting adventures.
Rudy Pankow created a character whose reckless behavior masks deep pain from an abusive home situation.
His humor deflects from serious trauma, making him both funny and heartbreaking simultaneously.
JJ’s willingness to risk everything for his friends demonstrates the found family theme that resonates throughout the series.
Fans appreciate his growth from impulsive troublemaker to someone learning to trust and open up emotionally.
His kleptomaniac tendencies and quick trigger finger create constant tension but also comedic moments.
The character represents those who use humor as armor against a world that’s been cruel to them.
His one-liners and wild schemes make him the most quotable Pogue in the group by far.
12. Rust Cohle – True Detective
Through a haze of existential dread, Rust Cohle philosophized his way to uncovering the truth behind a murder.
Matthew McConaughey delivered a career-defining performance as this nihilistic detective haunted by tragedy and darkness.
His lengthy monologues about human nature and consciousness elevated a crime show into philosophical meditation.
Rust’s unconventional methods and disregard for authority made him both brilliant investigator and terrible team player.
The character’s pessimism and alcoholism stemmed from losing his young daughter, adding tragic context to his worldview.
His partnership with Marty Hart created compelling tension between opposing philosophies about life and meaning.
Fans quoted his dense, poetic observations even when they didn’t fully understand them.
Rust proved that damaged detectives could be fascinating without relying on typical television cop show clichés or easy answers.
13. Priest – Fleabag
The Priest became an internet sensation by being devastatingly charming, spiritually conflicted, and impossibly attractive.
Andrew Scott brought warmth and complexity to a character torn between religious devotion and passionate human connection.
His relationship with Fleabag crackled with chemistry that had viewers screaming at their screens.
The Priest saw through Fleabag’s fourth-wall breaks, creating an intimacy no other character achieved.
His struggles with celibacy and faith made him relatable despite his unusual profession for romantic lead.
Fans appreciated how he challenged Fleabag to confront her pain while dealing with his own doubts.
Their foxhole conversation remains one of television’s most beautifully written romantic scenes.
He proved that sometimes the right person appears at exactly the wrong time, creating bittersweet perfection that resonated universally.
14. Dr. House – House M.D.
Known for his cynicism, Dr. Gregory House unraveled medical mysteries that seemed unsolvable.
Hugh Laurie’s American accent and brilliant portrayal earned him multiple awards for playing this Vicodin-addicted genius.
House’s complete disregard for bedside manner and hospital rules made him terrible with patients but incredible at diagnosis.
His reliance on his team—Wilson, Cuddy, and his diagnostic fellows—showed he needed people despite claiming otherwise.
Fans loved how his unconventional methods and harsh truths cut through medical bureaucracy and patient deception.
His chronic pain from leg injury explained but never excused his cruel behavior toward others.
The show explored whether genius justified being an absolute jerk to everyone around you.
House proved that antiheroes could carry medical dramas just as effectively as traditional heroic doctors with better personalities.
15. Klaus Mikaelson – The Originals
Klaus went from Vampire Diaries villain to complicated antihero leading his own series with style.
Joseph Morgan portrayed the original hybrid with layers of rage, artistry, and unexpected capacity for love.
His thousand years of violence stemmed from abandonment issues and fear of being alone forever.
Klaus’s transformation into a father protecting his daughter Hope showed remarkable character development across both series.
His relationship with his siblings—especially Elijah and Rebekah—provided emotional core to supernatural drama.
Fans appreciated how his villainy had understandable motivations rooted in centuries of trauma and betrayal.
Klaus painting and appreciating beauty contrasted sharply with his capacity for brutal violence.
His redemption arc proved that even monsters could find salvation through love, family, and ultimate sacrifice for those they cherish most.
Comments
Loading…