A key theme of many modern television shows is the notion of a 'family,' a collective group of individuals who love and support one another regardless of the situations they find themselves in. Sometimes, this can take a literal form, with the members linked through blood or lineage, but, other times, it can have a more broad definition.
Often, popular TV series focus on families which defy the atomic standard. Though television families of the 70s and 80s placed a major emphasis on being one cohesive—if comically dysfunctional—unit, today, the idea of a family is much broader and more diverse.
The Maximoffs (WandaVision)
One of the most unusual families on television, the Maximoffs were first introduced in the 2015 movie Avengers Age Of Ultron with the brother and sister duo Wanda and Pietro Maximoff and Wanda's android boyfriend Vision. They later made their TV debut in 2021's WandaVision, which sees Wanda starting a new family with Vision and their twin boys Billy and Tommy.
The Maximoffs are a tragic family, offering viewers an emotionally gripping journey throughout. Wanda has an especially tough time; in the series, she is not only cruelly manipulated into believing a random imposter is her dead brother, but she is also forced to give up her husband and two children in order to save the town of Westview. In the series' final moments, the audience witnesses the deep connection she formed with her family, when she thanks her two sons for "choosing" her as their mother, and promises Vision that they'll "say hello again."
The Queens (Arrow)
The Arrowverse has featured many families, but none have proven quite as iconic as the Queens. Appearing in the shared universe's first TV drama Arrow—a show said to include some of the most wholesome family moments—the Queens have an extremely strong bond. Spearheaded by their mother Moira, the brother and sister duo Oliver and Thea, in particular, have proven to be very close.
When Thea learned she was the result of an affair between Moira and the malevolent Malcolm Merlyn, Oliver proved highly supportive towards his sister and her shocking discovery. The pair have also teamed up numerous times to take down the criminals who have blighted their city, and, when their mother landed herself in jail, they came together to forgive and assist her through her ordeal.
The Robinsons (Lost In Space)
One of the most famous fictional families, The Robinsons first made their debut in the 1812 book 'Swiss Family Robinson,' before later being reimagined as a sci-fi caper in the 60's series Lost In Space. Netflix's modern adaptation features a specially strong portrayal of a family who are not entirely blood-related, with John Robinson being the stepdad of daughter Judy.
Each member possesses their own set of skills, which help them triumph against the harsh alien environments. Mother Maureen displays a scientific mindset, for example, while her husband John is more practically minded, and their son Will is capable of communicating with the alien robot race. With Penny's creative thinking and Judy on hand for medical assistance, there's not much that can stop this family from achieving success.
The Pierces (Black Lightning)
Black families are somewhat underrepresented on television, but one series that aims to address this imbalance is Black Lightning. First broadcast in 2018, Black Lightning, which features one of the Arrowverse's best couples, stars the Pierces, a superhero family from Georgia.
The Jeffersons are shown to be one of this universe's strongest forces, as Dad Jefferson and daughters Anissa and Jennifer display super-powered abilities. Mother Lynn is also a key member of their group, as she frequently makes herself available to support her family's dangerous lifestyle despite being powerless. This combined might helps to make them an unstoppable force against Georgia's criminal underbelly.
The Riders/Starbrights (Alex Rider)
One of the most complicated family situations on television is undoubtedly the Riders. The Alex Rider series begins with the titular school kid living with his uncle Ian Rider and housekeeper Jack Starbright. When Alex's uncle is abruptly murdered during a spy mission, Jack is made the boy's legal guardian by default, his parents having died many years before.
Jack is the perfect mother figure to Alex, displaying a strong loyalty towards the child's wellbeing. When Mrs. Jones visits to enlist Alex's services as a teenage spy, Jack does not hold back. She is firm and forceful in her beliefs that the young boy should not be brought into MI6's operations, treating Alex Rider as though he is her own biological son.
The Bates (Bates Motel)
When it comes to television families, there aren't many who are as dysfunctional as the Bates. Bates Motel introduces Norman's brother Dylan to the Bates family, who squabbles many times with the psychotic child during the first season. Later into the narrative, Sheriff Alex Romero becomes Norman's new Stepdad, and the pair often don't see eye to eye.
Despite their shortcomings, the Bates family try their hardest to support one another. Norman and Dylan's relationship improves significantly over time, with Dylan becoming a major driving force alongside Alex and mother Norma in securing Norman a place in a mental care home. This family may have their disagreements, but they still care deeply about their fellow relations.
The Smiths (Sarah Jane Adventures)
The Doctor Who universe has featured many iconic families, but none have proven quite as popular as the Smiths from The Sarah Jane Adventures. Headed by popular Doctor Who companion Sarah Jane Smith, the Smith family is comprised of adopted kids Luke and Sky and their robot dog K9.
The family is easily one of television's most knowledgeable households. Luke, Sky, and K9 all possess vast intellects as a result of their extraterrestrial origins, while Sarah Jane has proven considerably resourceful during her escapades. These combined abilities have allowed them to take on a variety of alien threats, with help from their friends Maria, Rani, and Clyde.
The Holmes (Sherlock)
The Holmes family has been featured in countless films and television adaptations since their conception in the 1800s, but one of their most famous portrayals came in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss's Sherlock. The family is comprised of brothers Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes, as well as their sister Eurus.
The group ultimately forms a family of expert problem solvers who have proven their puzzle-solving capabilities on various occasions. Sherlock, considered one of TV's best forensic investigators, is capable of gathering detailed accounts of a person's behavioral traits from little more than their clothing choices, whereas Mycroft has exceedingly powerful levels of deduction that even rival Sherlock's. Their sister Eurus, meanwhile, is skilled in creating conundrums so strong that they prove a challenge for her brothers' methodical skills.
The Yorkes (Runaways)
'Family' is a major running theme throughout Marvel Television's Runaways. While the series mainly features divided households, the Yorkes form a stronger united front. Parents Dale and Stacey are more reluctant members of the sacrificial cult known as Pride and are seeking a way out. Their daughters Molly and Gert, meanwhile, are seen throughout the series actively searching for a means to bring the rituals to an end.
It's the deep bond between the family members which really stands out here. Gert shares a particularly strong connection with her adopted sibling Molly, as well as her pet dinosaur Old Lace. The dinosaur also acts as a prime example of Stacey and Dale's undying loyalty towards their children, as she was biologically created in order to protect their kids from Pride's shady activities.
The Ponds (Doctor Who)
One of television's greatest families also happens to be one of the most complicated. In Doctor Who's sixth series, Rory Williams' wife Amy Pond gives birth to their daughter Melody. Their child is later kidnapped by the devious Madam Kovarian, and, in the episode "Let's Kill Hitler," it is revealed that Melody is actually their childhood friend Mels, who takes on the name "River Song."
This truly unique aspect to the Ponds' family dynamic really helps to set them apart from other TV households. It is a domestic scenario full of countless twists, which even sees the Doctor end up a member of their family unit. River's marriage to the Doctor after two unsuccessful murder attempts sees the Time Lord become Amy and Rory's son-in-law in one of the show's barmiest plots yet.