Summary

• Omar Little from The Wire is a deeply layered character, showing vulnerability, viciousness, and a lighthearted side.
• Tony Soprano from The Sopranos breaks the mold of TV protagonists, showcasing complex and flawed character development.
• Walter White from Breaking Bad undergoes one of TV's greatest character journeys, descending from a meek man to a menacing figure.

From those who made audiences laugh to those whose flaws fascinated viewers, the greatest TV characters of all time are unforgettable small-screen creations. Throughout the history of television, there have been certain characters who have come to define the medium. Though everyone has their own personal favorites from the shows they love, there are some who have cemented themselves as truly outstanding and deserving of a place among the best TV characters of all time.

From modern icons of current television shows to characters who have been around as long as television itself, the collection of television's characters is a fascinating look at the kind of figures audiences look for in the shows they love and the stories they want to explore. Whether they broke new ground in the medium, presented new archetypes fans had never seen before, or just entertained viewers, these are the greatest TV characters of all time.

29 Sherlock Holmes - Sherlock (2010-2017)

Played by Benedict Cumberbatch

There have been countless Sherlock Holmes movies and television shows over the decades, with the famed detective still remaining a popular figure in pop culture well over a century after he was first introduced to the world by Arthur Conan Doyle. That made it all the more impressive that Sherlock and Benedict Cumberbatch found an exciting new approach to the character for the 21st century.

This version of Sherlock is brilliant and brave, but it also shows the loneliness of his gifts as brilliant as they were.

Sherlock is a modern-day retelling of the famous detective and his trusty companion John Watson taking on complex cases in London. This version of Sherlock is brilliant and brave, but it also shows the loneliness of his gifts as brilliant as they were. There was also some fun comedy with his lack of social etiquette. It makes Sherlock a fun and complex hero to root for with Cumberbatch finding a breakout role that redefined an iconic character.

28 Annalise Keating - How To Get Away With Murder (2014-2020)

Played by Viola Davis

Viola Davis was already an acclaimed and successful actor by the time she was cast in the crime series How to Get Away with Murder, but she found a role perfectly suited to her bold screen presence and emotionally captivating performances. The series explores Keating as an accomplished defense lawyer and law school professor, but the series continues to dig deeper into Keating's personality and past, showing different aspects to her that make her one of the most layered and fascinating female characters on television.

Keating became a fully realized human character, which is not always the priority with shows like How to Get Away with Murder.

The show itself was a gripping murder mystery with some clever writing, but it was certainly elevated in its genre thanks to Davis' performance. Keating became a fully realized human character, which is not always the priority with shows like How to Get Away with Murder. Davis is always up to the new challenges of the role, further making Keating a successful creation.

27 Glenn Rhee - The Walking Dead (2010-2022)

Played by Steven Yeun

Even from the beginning of the series, The Waking Dead featured such a large cast that it was hard for some of the characters to get noticed. However, Steven Yeun's Glenn didn't take long to become a fan-favorite and cement himself as one of the leads of the show. The audience gets to see Glenn grow as a hero throughout his time in the series as he becomes more of a leader, finds romance with Maggie, and faces countless dangers.

When the show got bogged down in zombie violence and the dark, conical themes of the show, Glenn was always the character who could inject a little humanity into the world. As a testament to how important he was to the show, Glenn's death in The Walking Dead remains one of the most widely discussed moments, despite happening long before the eventual finale.

26 Rosa Diaz - Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)

Played by Stephanie Beatriz

While there are so many lovable characters in the series, Rosa Diaz stands out as its very best creation.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of those crowd-pleasing sitcoms that gets so much of its strength from the amazing ensemble cast. While there are so many lovable characters in the series, Rosa Diaz stands out as its very best creation. Rosa is introduced as the tough and intimidating detective who often refuses to let people get close to her. While that could have made for a one-note character, the show continued to develop new aspects of Rosa while staying true to who she was.

One of the biggest aspects of the character that was introduced was her coming out as bisexual. There was the typical Rosa courage in seeing her embrace who she really was, along with a lot of vulnerability in dealing with her family's reaction. The show often leaned on her for the biggest storylines, such as Rosa and Jake going to prison. Rosa carried these moments as a strong character with personal complexities while also delivering some of the show's biggest laughs.

25 Columbo - Columbo (1971-1978)

Played by Peter Falk

Peter Falk steps perfectly into the role of the titular detective, a man who seems to stumble into every crime scene like a lost child and mumbles his way through an investigation.

There are countless TV detectives around, but few are as charming as Columbo. Peter Falk steps perfectly into the role of the titular detective, a man who seems to stumble into every crime scene like a lost child and mumbles his way through an investigation. However, what might seem like inept behavior is really just a brilliant strategy to put the murderers off their game and underestimate the detective who has already come to suspect them.

To introduce a new take on the detective role is not easy, but Columbo is a unique television creation that continues to delight fans decades later. He was funny and relatable but also brilliant at his job. Columbo also took a unique approach to the detective story with it being told from the perspective of the killer, only for Columbo to enter and gradually pull apart their world.

24 Harley Quinn – Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)

Played by Arleen Sorkin

While Batman and Joker are true icons in pop culture, their existence predates any television appearance. So while the Batman: Animated Series brought them to the small screen successfully, one original creation from that show has gone on to become an icon in her own right. Harley Quinn was introduced as a minion of Joker but struck a chord with audiences thanks to her mix of humor and menace.

She gradually went from being a background character to having her own storylines that built her a world outside of just hanging around with Joker. While Margot Robbie's live-action take and the new DC animated series continues her legacy, they wouldn't exist without the Batman: Animated Series' Harley Quinn episodes showing how much fun the character could be and the endless potential she had in the DC world.

23 Cameron Tucker - Modern Family (2009-2020)

Played by Eric Stonestreet

Modern Family found a new way to approach the familiar domestic sitcom with some original characters. However, Cameron Tucker shines as the show's brightest aspect. From the very first episode when Cam theatrically presents their new baby to the family, he found his way into the hearts of fans. From there, he was one of the funniest parts of the show while also displaying a bombastic energy and big heart that always stole the show.

Cam was always full of love and excitement for the world around him while also having a flair for the dramatic that could get hilariously out of control.

Cam was always full of love and excitement for the world around him while also having a flair for the dramatic that could get hilariously out of control. From his sweetest moments to his laugh-out-loud gags, Cam made the whole family more entertaining by being a part of it. Not surprisingly, when Modern Family ended, there were initial plans for a spinoff about Cam's coaching career.

22 Chandler Bing - Friends (1994-2004)

Played by Matthew Perry

Though Friends was very much an ensemble show about the six central characters, Chandler Bing seemed to stand above the rest in the eyes of many fans. While the other characters were lovable and fun, Chandler felt like a fresh voice in television and brought his own unique sense of humor that would help define the show. His sarcastic and quippy sense of humor would be mimicked in endless future sitcoms without ever being quite as good.

The tragic death of Matthew Perry in 2023 led to many people revisiting Friends and Chandler as a character, further solidifying his standout nature on the show.

Chandler became an even more interesting character with his fan-favorite relationship with Monica, which showed a softer side to him. However, he could mostly be counted on to deliver some of the best one-liners in the series. The tragic death of Matthew Perry in 2023 led to many people revisiting Friends and Chandler as a character, further solidifying his standout nature on the show.

21 Eleven - Stranger Things (2016-2025)

Played by Millie Bobby Brown

Though superhero shows are more popular than ever thanks to the comic book boom, the greatest television superhero remains an original creation as well as being a young kid. Stranger Things is an expansive supernatural adventure with many interdimensional threats and scares while Eleven emerges as the hero who can save the world. There is an exciting element to seeing Eleven realize her true potential in the world while balancing aspects of being a child, from first loves to getting bullied.

Millie Bobby Brown does a terrific job of selling Eleven's immense power while still showing that she is a young child who is vulnerable and scared. She has made for some of the most heartbreaking, crowd-pleasing, and epic moments in the show and fans are eagerly waiting to see how her story ends in Stranger Things season 5.

20 Leslie Knope - Parks And Recreation (2009-2015)

Played by Amy Poehler

Parks and Recreation is yet another sitcom that succeeds thanks to its colorful cast of characters, but the show would be nothing without Leslie Knope guiding the way. When Parks and Rec began, some dismissed it as a copy of The Office and felt Leslie would be a Michael Scott imitator. Amy Poehler and the show's writers quickly proved that theory wrong as Leslie cemented herself as a strong, determined, and passionate politician the world needs more of.

The sitcom has a reputation for being one of the feel-good shows on television, and a lot of that comes from Leslie's endless optimism and the love she brings into the world.

The sitcom has a reputation for being one of the feel-good shows on television, and a lot of that comes from Leslie's endless optimism and the love she brings into the world. She certainly had her flaws and the show was never afraid to make the audience laugh at her expense, but she was also one of the most inspiring sitcom characters of all time.

19 Jack McFarland - Will & Grace (1998-2020)

Played by Sean Hayes

Will & Grace was a groundbreaking show that helped bring LGBTQ+ stories to the mainstream. While such representation on television has come a long way since then (and still has a long way to go), the character of Jack McFarland was an opportunity to show a gay man on television whose sexuality was not a punchline, but rather something that he was deeply proud of and celebrated openly.

He always made Jack a real character and one who didn't care if the way he lived his life made others uncomfortable.

He was a hilarious and wild character who added an extra shot of energy to any scene that he was in, making for a sitcom sidekick who knew how and when to steal the show. Hayes was fearless in the role, giving a comedic tour de force performance. However, he always made Jack a real character and one who didn't care if the way he lived his life made others uncomfortable.

18 Lorelai Gilmore - Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

Played by Lauren Graham

Though Gilmore Girls was popular in its time, the continued interest in the show long after it ended shows the impact it has had on fans. Perhaps the biggest part of the love for the show was in the character of Lorelai Gilmore, the single mother and protagonist of the series. Lorelai broke a lot of conventions with television mothers, being a funny, goofy, and completely independent woman who was still a strong guardian for her daughter.

The show delivered one of the best mother-daughter relationships on television, and it was Lorelai's relatable and loving parenting that shaped the show. Lauren Graham also had a lot of fun playing with Lorelai's faults, from her childish nature to her stubbornness, but these aspects only helped to make her a more well-rounded and charming presence that was always the heart of the series.

17 Spock - Star Trek (1966-1969)

Played by Leonard Nimoy

The original Star Trek cast is a collection of iconic television characters, but when choosing only one standout character from the series, Spork is the obvious choice, The Vulcan second-in-command aboard the Starship Enterprise made for a perfect counterpoint to Captain Kirk's bold and charismatic leader as Spock observed every situation with a sense of rationale and logic.

Nimoy redefined science-fiction television with his portrayal of Spock, making him a layered character while keeping his pragmatic outlook on the work.

Though that might make him seem like a bore, he was such a unique and thought-provoking character that his emotionless nature often provided some of the best moments in the series. He made for a completely original take on the sci-fi alien character, with his legacy only growing the more the Star Trek franchise expanded. Nimoy redefined science-fiction television with his portrayal of Spock, making him a layered character while keeping his pragmatic outlook on the work.

16 Don Draper - Mad Men (2007-2015)

Played by Jon Hamm

Don Draper came at a time in television when audiences seemed to be craving flawed protagonists who were almost daring the viewer to hate them. However, in the hands of the brilliant storytelling on the Emmy-winning Mad Men and Jon Hamm's layered performance, Don became a fascinating character to follow through the highs and lows of

The show focused on the world of advertising in the 1960s, but Don was always selling a different aspect of himself than what was under the surface. He was a womanizer and alcoholic who was prone to self-sabotage and reckless behavior in his job which was fueled by the secrets he kept from everyone. While his behavior was often deplorable, he also had an underdog quality that made him impossible not to remain interested in.

15 Jessica Fletcher - Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996)

Played by Angela Lansbury

Like Columbo, Jessica Fletcher presented a very different kind of television detective that was more about charm and likability than hard-boiled stoicism. Murder, She Wrote stars Angela Lansbury as Fletcher, a mystery writer who becomes an amateur detective herself. Fletcher carried herself with intelligence and confidence while also having a polite grace about her even as she solved cases.

Lansbury brought her considerable talents as a thespian to the role, giving Jessica a sense of grace and dignity as well as some lighthearted humor.

She is an observant and practical sleuth who is another hero who can often be underestimated by the criminals she investigates only to find themselves trapped by her. Lansbury brought her considerable talents as a thespian to the role, giving Jessica a sense of grace and dignity as well as some lighthearted humor. With over 250 episodes of the case-of-the-week format, it was that characterization of Jessica that saved the show from ever becoming dull.

14 George Costanza - Seinfeld (1989-1998)

Played by Jason Alexander

Seinfeld's four main characters were some of the funniest and most self-centered TV characters around, but George Costanza was a particularly hilarious bad person who the audience could laugh at. Though there are different aspects to the character, George was based on Seinfeld creator Larry David, with his writing coming through in the character's penchant for making a mess of every social situation. Jason Alexander brought his own pitch-perfect neurotic performance to the role.

George was a deeply pathetic man, whether it was being the first to rush out the door of a birthday party when he thought there was a fire, posing as a marine biologist, or buying cheap envelopes that ultimately killed his fiancé. He made for one of the boldest sitcom characters of all time, as the show was never worried about making him likable, just ensuring his sad antics were funny.

13 Lucy Ricardo - I Love Lucy (1951-1957)

Played by Lucille Ball

Even looking at the wildly popular shows of today like Stranger Things and House of the Dragon, it is hard to comprehend the popularity of a show like I Love Lucy with almost every television in the country tuned into the series whenever it came on. The early domestic sitcom had a lot of funny and entertaining aspects, but the best part was always Lucille Ricardo, the well-meaning but accident-prone housewife at its center.

From her pregnancy being dealt with in the series to the constant battling with her husband, she changed the landscape of television.

Putting the female character as the funny lead of the show was a ground-breaking enough element, but the show and Lucy as a character continued to break down stereotypes and challenge notions of the time to create one of the funniest sitcom characters of all time. From her pregnancy being dealt with in the series to the constant battle with her husband, she changed the landscape of television.

12 Fleabag - Fleabag (2016-2019)

Played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Though it only ran for two seasons, the series Fleabag is a television sensation. Phoebe Waller-Bridge's unnamed Fleabag character was at the center of this funny, powerful, and moving character study of a woman dealing with insecurities and wanting love. While that might sound like a typical story, Fleabag explores it in a totally unique way with the character.

Fleabag was shown to be a flawed character but also someone who highlighted the flaws in other people by her own approach to life. The viewers see the terrible mistakes she makes, the redemption she seeks, the people who let her down, and the unexpected love that she finds. With her breaking the fourth wall to discuss these aspects directly with the viewers, there is also an intimacy the character has with the audience. As short as it is, the journey with this character makes for an unforgettable experience.

11 Bugs Bunny - Looney Tunes

Played by Mel Blanc

Cartoons have been a very important part of television history since its early days and there are few cartoon characters as iconic as Bugs Bunny. As the face of the Looney Tunes, Bugs is one of the greatest comedic characters in pop culture history and he has remained as such for several decades. He was also something totally fresh in this world. While cartoon characters were seen as wholesome creations to follow on their charming adventures, Bugs was a rebel and a troublemaker, bringing a sense of humor to cartoons that would influence many who followed.

Within the world of Looney Tunes, Bugs was capable of anything, but it was most fun to see him mess with his enemies.

Within the world of Looney Tunes, Bugs was capable of anything, but it was most fun to see him mess with his enemies. His confident and clever ruses made for some of the most famous moments in cartoon history and endeared him as a surprisingly relatable laid-back hero who was always the smartest one in the room.

10 Buffy Summers - Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Played by Sarah Michelle Gellar

Another television hero who audiences love as much for her vulnerability as for her ability to fight evil is Buffy Summers. Buffy the Vampire Slayer emerged as a fresh and exciting genre-bending television show that told an intense supernatural horror story with characters who brought humor and lightness to it, but Buffy was the key to finding that perfect tone.

Sarah Michelle Gellar brought a fiery warrior energy to the character that made it seem like she really could be the person who would save the world.

Sarah Michelle Gellar brought a fiery warrior energy to the character that made it seem like she really could be the person who would save the world. She also made Buffy feel like a teen girl who is dealing with too much. From the loss of her mother, the loss of Angel, and her own death, she is seen making unimaginable sacrifices, suffering great tragedies, and still battling to save the day. Yet she also kept her as that grounded high school student fans fell in love with.