One Day at a Time was one of Netflix's top-rated comedy shows that followed the Alvarez family in their daily lives. Based on a 1970s show of the same name, One Day at a Time centers on the close-knit family who all have strong personalities and everyone they come across in their lives from bosses to romantic partners to nosy but loveable landlords.
The show is popular and for good reason, as it balances drama and comedy and provides biting social commentary, but it has been canceled officially after trying to find a new network after Pop TV. Although it's been canceled, One Day at a Time is still a fantastic show with a great variety of characters.
Victor
Although Victor realized his mistakes and began to change, leaving his daughter Elena's Quinceañera after coming out as gay is one of the saddest moments of the show. This moment is almost unforgivable especially comparing it to how her grandmother Lydia and mother Penelope responded when Elena told them she was gay. Lydia talked it through out loud, reckoning with her religious background, and accepted it in a few seconds because she loves Elena, and Penelope reckons with it on her own while only showing support to Elena. Victor chose to leave his daughter instead of supporting her when she needed him the most.
Dr. Berkowitz
Dr. Berkowitz is one of the nicest characters in the show, but he's more of a side character and the audience doesn't learn much about his life. He's a likable character because he's nice and always there for Penelope, Lydia, and their family.
Other than being a nice person, Dr. Berkowitz doesn't have much else going for him other than jokes about how terribly his own family treats him. Dr. Berkowitz is a fine addition to the Alvarez family, but he doesn't particularly stand out amongst the other character's personalities on the show.
Syd
Syd becomes Elena's partner about halfway through the series and the two are a delightful pair. Syd loves popular culture, which is something the two have in common and goes by they/them pronouns providing even more representation for the show. Elena and Syd are pretty similar, but the show doesn't focus much on Syd so the audience doesn't know much about them besides the fact that they are in a relationship with Elena, but they're pretty inherently likable nonetheless.
Alex
Alex is Penelope's younger son and he's a pretty confident and likable character in the series. He has a few storylines where he's the center like when he was having issues at school with racist bullies who made fun of his supportive and loud Cuban family cheering him on at his baseball games. Alex cares a lot about his appearance, but he cares more about his family and although the show typically focuses on his sister Elena or his mother or grandmother more, it's still clear he's a likable character.
Elena
Elena is a confident and passionate young person who truly comes into her own and finds exactly who she is during the series. Elena cares deeply about human rights issues and she isn't afraid to speak up against anyone, including her family, if she sees any injustice. Elena's a quiet and introverted kid who finds confidence in fighting for what she believes in and her caring and kindness are some of her many loveable traits.
Schneider
Schneider is the nosy yet lovable landlord who owns the building the Alvarez family lives in. Schneider is always visiting the Alvarez family in their apartment and although sometimes they act like it's an annoyance, the family does love him and he's ecstatic to be part of the family. He's a fun and lighthearted character who would do anything for the Alvarez family and the show also delved into his struggle with alcoholism. He can be out of touch a lot of the time due to his different experiences growing up as a rich white kid, but he really tries to understand and does usually learn from his mistakes which is an endearing trait.
Penelope
Penelope (Justina Machado) is the main character of One Day at a Time and typically at the center of most stories told on the show. Penelope is a well-balanced character who is a strong and tough single mother while also being incredibly sensitive and empathetic.
Penelope would do anything for her family and the show does highlight her struggles as a Veteran as she has to fight with her health insurance coverage, medical injuries from her time in service, and anxiety. She's a well-developed and lovable character who anyone would want in their corner.
Lydia
Lydia has countless iconic quotes and is portrayed by the always hilarious and lovable Rita Moreno. Lydia is a strong and tough grandmother who loves her grandchildren and daughter and keeps their Cuban heritage alive. Lydia is stylish and takes great pride in how she presents herself to the world, she has a great morning routine when she makes breakfast and Cuban coffee for the family, she has some of the best dialogue throughout the series ranging from hilarious to more serious lines, and she is always there for her family and those she loves making her the most likable character on the show.