Top 20 Iconic TV Characters Of The 21st Century

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The early 2000s saw the rise of unforgettable TV characters, like Walter White and Omar Little. The groundbreaking show The Sopranos, which debuted in 1999, really kicked off what many now call the Golden Age of Television, and the quality of shows continued to improve as the new century began.

The 21st century has given us so many memorable TV characters – including greats like Lucille Bluth and Homelander – that it’s hard to narrow down the best. Over the last 25 years, we’ve seen both deeply complex characters, such as Don Draper, and hilariously outlandish ones, like Frank Reynolds.

Frank Reynolds

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

As a huge fan of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, I always felt like Danny DeVito joining the show in season two was a game-changer. Honestly, he was the missing piece! Before him, it was a funny show with potential, but he really elevated it, turning it into the modern TV classic we all know and love. He was the secret weapon, plain and simple.

Initially, Frank Reynolds was written as a gentle, paternal character within the group. However, the show’s creators soon discovered they weren’t taking full advantage of Danny DeVito’s incredible comedic skills and dedication. Over time, they transformed Frank into a hilariously outrageous and morally questionable figure, and he ultimately became a fan favorite.

Fleabag

Fleabag

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s show, Fleabag, brilliantly captures the life of a woman in her twenties who’s trying to figure things out. The main character is far from perfect – she’s often angry, self-centered, and feels immense guilt – but that’s exactly what makes her so easy to connect with.

Waller-Bridge originally developed Fleabag for the stage, performing the character in a one-woman show for some time. By the time the show was adapted for TV, the character was already well-defined and complete.

Vic Mackey

The Shield

When people talk about complex TV antiheroes like Tony Soprano, Walter White, and Don Draper, Vic Mackey from The Shield often gets overlooked. The Shield broke the mold of typical police shows by centering on a police officer who was as morally flawed and corrupt as the criminals he was supposed to be fighting.

Michael Chiklis brilliantly portrayed Vic as a complex character. While Vic is deeply flawed and does awful things, the performance allows you to understand his motivations – he genuinely believes he’s doing what’s best for his team, even if his methods are twisted.

Ron Swanson

Parks and Recreation

The cast of Parks and Recreation is remarkably strong – truly one of the best in television history. Every actor brings something special to the show, and the ensemble is consistently excellent (especially after Ben and Chris join, replacing Mark). However, Nick Offerman as the iconic, mustachioed Ron Swanson is the standout performer.

The idea of a government worker who distrusts government made for a funny sitcom character, but Ron Swanson was much more than just a joke. He represented a healthy version of masculinity, and actor Nick Offerman perfectly delivered his lines with a dry, understated humor.

Whitney Siegel

The Curse

Emma Stone delivered an incredible performance in The Curse. While the show’s intense and unsettling dark comedy wasn’t for everyone, those who continued watching were rewarded with a truly masterful acting display. Whitney Siegel’s character is a brilliant and biting satire of people who pretend to be activists for show.

Whitney tells herself she’s doing good for others, but she readily accepts money from her parents, who exploit people through unfair housing practices. Actress Stone brilliantly portrayed this character’s disconnect from reality and the conflicting parts of her personality, delivering a complex and captivating performance.

Eleven

Stranger Things

The Duffer brothers were inspired by both Stephen King’s Firestarter and Ken Russell’s Altered States when creating Eleven, a now-iconic sci-fi character. Like the characters in those films – William Hurt in Altered States and Drew Barrymore in Firestarter – Eleven underwent intense experimentation that ultimately gave her superpowers as a young girl.

One of the things that makes Stranger Things so enjoyable is the way it balances Eleven’s incredible powers with her desire to be a normal child. She’s trying to navigate school and fit in, all while being the town’s only chance against a dangerous secret government plot.

Captain Holt

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Andre Braugher, a truly memorable actor, will be remembered as a television icon for his role as Captain Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He delivered a brilliantly funny performance, using dry, understated delivery to perfectly complement the show’s more energetic cast, while also bringing a surprising emotional depth to the character.

Growing up as a gay Black police officer in the 1980s, Holt faced significant challenges and prejudice that his colleagues didn’t, making his rise to captain particularly difficult. Braugher brilliantly portrayed the weight of those experiences in his performance.

Rick Grimes

The Walking Dead

The TV show The Walking Dead really changed after Andrew Lincoln, who played Rick Grimes, left. The story had always been told through Rick’s eyes, starting with him waking up from a coma to find the world overrun by zombies. Throughout the series, we saw how the horrifying events deeply affected him.

He inspired and guided the remaining people from one secure location to another, though he was barely holding himself together throughout the ordeal. Lincoln masterfully portrayed this internal struggle, blending powerful leadership with a fragile mental state to create a truly captivating character.

Roger The Alien

American Dad!

I remember when American Dad! first brought Roger, the alien, into the mix – he was originally just this grumpy guy stuck in the attic, mostly drinking wine and glued to reality TV. Honestly, that bit got stale pretty quickly. But then the writers had this brilliant idea: what if Roger started disguising himself to go out and live a little? That’s when the character really took off and became the highlight of the show, in my opinion.

Roger is a truly unforgettable comedic character because he’s a master of disguise. What makes it so funny is that each persona he adopts cleverly reveals the selfish and uncaring alien underneath, creating a hilariously dark contrast.

Larry David

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David plays a version of himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm, but it’s a fictional take where he doesn’t face real-world consequences for his actions. As this character, Larry can freely say whatever’s on his mind, often upsetting people, and openly challenge what he sees as silly social norms.

Larry has become well-known for his negative and distrustful outlook on life. While most people simply accept everyday social norms, Larry constantly challenges even the smallest, seemingly unimportant things that don’t seem logical to him.

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2025-11-09 23:31