This year delivered an abundance of exceptional television, and with it, some of the most compelling characters in recent memory. We saw silent-but-sweet teenage crushes, sharp-tongued Southern charmers, and sassy heroes with hearts of gold. In truth, there were so many intriguing fictional personalities, brought to life by both big-name stars and newcomers, that choosing the best TV characters of 2025 felt nearly impossible.
Nearly, but not quite. Because despite the wealth of standout characters, a few were truly unforgettable—characters whose scenes didn’t just make their shows addictive but also created moments that resonated culturally. Here is a roundup of our favorites.
Carol Sturka, Pluribus
The near-future thriller Pluribus has all the ingredients for an addictive watch: alien invasion, zombie apocalypse, and a viral outbreak that makes everyone unusually helpful and united. It also features one of television’s best new characters in Rhea Seehorn’s snarky romance author, Carol Sturka. She is one of only thirteen people in the world uninfected by the strange virus—and perhaps one of the few who genuinely doesn’t want to be. She embodies a moral paradox, projecting outward strength while slowly eroding inside.
Deborah Vance, Hacks
Four seasons in, Hacks proves that Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) remains one of television’s most intriguing creations: an aging comedian who wields wit like a weapon and refuses to be overshadowed. But Deborah’s brilliance lies less in her jokes or delivery and more in her unflinching ability to transform humiliation into reinvention, time and again.
Esther Roklov, Nobody Wants This
Hot Rabbi Noah (Adam Brody) and Joanne (Kristen Bell) usually steal the spotlight, but in Season 2, the supporting cast of Nobody Wants This earned some of the biggest laughs—shoutout to Morgan (Justine Lupe), Sasha (Timothy Simons), and “my girl Bina” (Tovah Feldshuh). However, it was seeing the softer side of Esther (Jackie Tohn) that truly won our hearts. We couldn’t help but root for her as she vulnerably questioned her marriage, dreams, and bangs—all without losing her trademark toughness.
Sophie O’Neil, The Hunting Wives
Choosing a favorite character from The Hunting Wives comes down to personal preference: do you lean toward Malin Akerman’s small-town Texas bad girl, Margo, or Brittany Snow’s troubled East Coast liberal, Sophie? While Margo stands out for her dark complexity, our vote goes to Sophie, who can’t help but fascinate. She’s self-aware enough to sense the danger in her new town’s privilege and glamour, yet human enough to be seduced by it anyway. Plus, it’s delightful to watch her style evolve from basic Bostonian to Southern sweetheart over eight fast-paced episodes.
Victoria Ratliff, The White Lotus
Season 3 of The White Lotus gave us plenty of excellent characters: Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea, Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon, and Walton Goggins’s Rick. But as the overly entitled matriarch of her North Carolinian clan, Parker Posey’s Victoria Ratliff was the one nobody could stop talking about. She was the kind of ridiculously wealthy woman you almost want to hate—but she was just too darn funny not to be utterly obsessed with. With her sing-song Southern accent (say it with me: Tsu-naah-mi) and perfect caftans, she managed to be outrageously memorable without ever becoming a caricature, even as she turned up her nose at other guests and popped lorazepam like Tic Tacs. “I just don’t think at this age I’m meant to live an uncomfortable life,” she says at the series’ end, even as her husband is literally about to blow his brains out—and somehow, the sentiment feels weirdly relatable.
Tommy Norris, Landman
Set amid the scorching oil fields of West Texas, Landman is filled with misogyny and misaligned masculinity. But somehow, Billy Bob Thornton’s grizzled portrayal of middleman Tommy Norris…Of course, along with Demi Moore’s Cami and Ali Larter’s Angela, he makes Season 2 irresistible. As everything around him explodes—oil rigs, romances, and roughnecks—he maintains an aspirational level of good-hearted cool.
Anyone who loves satire and cringe will adore Seth Rogen’s Matt Remick, a sharp yet insecure producer trying his hardest to make iconic Hollywood movies, only to discover that sometimes the work is better without him. The performance is pure Rogen: perpetually stunned, hilariously frustrating, and yet completely lovable.
Even if you’re not Team Conrad, you have to admit that Season 3 belongs to Christopher Briney. It brings his entire character into sharper focus: his fear of being unlovable, his quiet heartbreak, and his newfound ability to express his inner world. As Olivia Petter perfectly describes him: “Sweet, gentle, and emotionally engaged Conrad. A man so artfully crafted through the female lens that part of the addictive agony of watching The Summer I Turned Pretty is knowing he doesn’t exist, while hoping that he might.” He’s simply impossible not to crush on.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Most Memorable TV Characters of 2025
Beginner General Questions
1 What makes a TV character memorable
A memorable character is one that sticks with you long after the show ends This is usually due to a compelling personality a unique voice a surprising character arc outstanding acting or because they represent an important theme or idea in a powerful way
2 Are these best characters or just the most talked about
Its a mix Most memorable often means characters who sparked the biggest cultural conversations had viral moments or left a lasting impressionwhether you loved them hated them or couldnt stop thinking about them Its about impact not just quality
3 Where can I find these characters What shows are they from
They come from a wide range of shows across streaming services and traditional networks The list for 2025 will likely include characters from both brandnew series and returning shows that had a standout season
4 Is this list just about heroes and protagonists
Not at all Some of the most memorable characters are complex villains hilarious sidekicks or enigmatic supporting figures A wellwritten antagonist or a scenestealing secondary character can often be more memorable than the main hero
Advanced Specific Questions
5 What trends are shaping memorable characters in 2025
Current trends include
Moral Complexity Fewer purely good or evil characters more operating in gray areas
GenreBlending Personalities Characters in scifi or fantasy shows with very grounded human flaws and humor
Legacy Reinvention New modern takes on iconic characters from older franchises
AI Identity Characters exploring what it means to be human in stories featuring artificial intelligence or digital consciousness
6 How much does the actors performance influence a characters memorability
Immensely A phenomenal actor can elevate good writing into something iconic A memorable character is almost always a perfect marriage of sharp writing and a performer who brings unique depth charisma or physicality to the role
7 Can a character be memorable for negative reasons
Unfortunately yes A character can be memorable because they are poorly written annoyingly inconsistent