TV has provided us with some of the most iconic characters of pop culture—characters that entertain us, but also influence how we view the world. If they make us laugh, challenge our faith, or destroy us emotionally, these characters remind us that fantastic TV is fueled by unforgettable acting and pitch-perfect scripts. Here are ten exceptional characters that set new standards for what a TV character can be.
Angela Abar (Watchmen)
Regina King’s Angela Abar—also known as Sister Night—became an instant icon in just one season. Fierce, vulnerable, and relentlessly driven, Angela anchors HBO’s Watchmen reboot with a performance that’s both deeply personal and politically charged. King brings humanity to a masked hero caught between generations of trauma and justice, redefining what superhero storytelling looks like on TV.
Rust Cohle (True Detective)
Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle is all detective, all philosopher, and all messed-up soul. In True Detective’s first season, which was widely acclaimed, he gives enigmatic monologues on time and destiny, all while pursuing one of television’s grimmest mysteries. McConaughey’s haunting, searching performance turned Rust into a cultural touchstone—and provided prestige TV with one of its most complex heroes.
Lucille Bluth (Arrested Development)
Jessica Walter’s Lucille Bluth is pure comedic brilliance. As the scheming matriarch of Arrested Development, she’s sharp-tongued, unapologetically cruel, and somehow always hilarious. With perfect delivery and a bottomless martini glass, Lucille steals every scene and proves that TV’s best characters aren’t always the kindest—they’re often the most quotable.
Al Swearengen (Deadwood)
In Deadwood, Ian McShane takes saloon owner Al Swearengen and turns him into a poetic, profane force of nature. Ruthless and manipulative but never a one-note villain, Al is a villain you can’t help but admire. McShane’s performance balances on a knife’s edge between menace and melancholy, turning Swearengen into one of the richest characters to ever saunter onto the screen.
Eric Cartman (South Park)
Eric Cartman is zany, puerile, and utterly irrepressible. The voice of Trey Parker, the South Park anti-hero, has been offending viewers since the late 9’90sand, yet, magically, we just can’t turn away. The unrelenting egotism and cringeworthy one-liners of Cartman make him one of the most provocative yet beloved characters in animation history.
Frasier Crane (Frasier)
Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane is television’s most intelligent neurotic. From his days on Cheers to his decade-long sitcom, Frasier’s self-important charm, intellectual anxieties, and constant nitpicking with his brother Niles provided some of television’s best intelligent comedy. Grammar added warmth and complexity to a character who, in another’s hands, might have been one-dimensional.
Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)
Benedict Cumberbatch’s interpretation of Sherlock Holmes gave life to the iconic detective anew. Cold, genial, and emotionally impaired, this contemporary Sherlock fights crime—and loneliness—with dazzling intelligence and incisive wit. Cumberbatch’s portrayal mixes conceit with vulnerability to become one of the most fascinating renditions of Holmes ever committed to film.
Annalise Keating (How to Get Away with Murder)
Viola Davis added unprecedented depth of emotion to Annalise Keating, a defense lawyer and law professor whose genius is rivaled only by her depth of demonic flaws. Complicated, imperfect, and unforgettable, Annalise is a force of nature lead whose suffering and strength redefine what a strong woman on television can be. Davis broke barriers with this performance, and rightly so.
Glenn Rhee (The Walking Dead)
Glenn Rhee, brought to life by Steven Yeun, evolved from street-smart scavenger to The Walking Dead’s moral compass. His romance with Maggie provided the series with its emotional core, and his passing is one of the show’s most heartbreaking episodes. Glenn was not only a favorite among fans but the heart of the narrative, and his impact is still felt.
Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
Rosa Diaz might have been an easy background character, but Stephanie Beatriz ensured she was anything but that. With her steely stare, no-nonsense demeanor, and deadpan delivery, Rosa cut through a cast of misfits. What made her stand out, though, was the vulnerability Beatriz built beneath the leather jacket—to make Rosa one of contemporary comedy’s most quietly revolutionary characters.
These actors didn’t merely create incredible television—they revolutionized it. They pushed the boundaries of what can be done on the small screen and reminded us that when it comes to great television, it’s the characters that we travel with who make the trip worthwhile.