The TV Characters We're Thankful For This Year

Scream Queens is an acquired taste, to be sure, but we’re happy to sit through an hour of endless Chanel bitchiness just to get our three minutes with Denise Hemphill each week. This no-nonsense security guard with an arsenal of quotable one-liners (“Shondell, why you got a knife in your throat?”) and a propensity for nervous farting brings a much-needed dose of common sense to her campy surroundings. Plus, she reminds us that Niecy Nash needs her own show, like, yesterday. — Dave Nemetz

(Credit: FOX)

Can you blame American voters for wanting to elect Tom James over Selina Meyer? Folksy, relatable, and endlessly charming (a natural side-effect of being played by Hugh Laurie), Tom seems destined to be a political superstar, rather than Meyer’s second banana. At least… that’s how he comes across in public, anyway. Behind the scenes, Tom proves to be as delightfully daffy and gaffe-prone as the rest of the show’s crazy crew. We’d easily elect him to a second term as Veep’s resident scene-stealer. — Ethan Alter

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That Ritchie Valens was so ahead of his time. He didn’t write the song “Donna” about Ms. Paulsen, but he might as well have. “Now that you’re gone/I’m left all alone/All by myself/To wander and roam” pretty much sums up how Harvey felt when the world’s greatest assistant left his desk this season. Since then, we’ve been reveling in every single second of her screen time… and eagerly awaiting a Darvey reunion. — Breanne L. Heldman

(Credit: USA)

Quinn is the Jack Bauer we’ve been missing in TV land since Jack went off in that helicopter at the end of 24: Live Another Day. Like Jack, Quinn has a whole mess of reasons he is the way he is — many of them because of the things he’s had to do in the name of his job — but also like Jack, he just always stoically does what needs to be done, no matter what the danger, or the current state of his mind and body. Quinn scenes are the greatest thing about Season 5, and Rupert Friend is the season’s MVP, hands down. — Kimberly Potts

(Credit: Showtime)

The lawyer who drinks too much, spouts conspiracy theories like poetry, and fancies himself the King of Breakfast, Weathers is a stand-out eccentric among the many vivid Fargo eccentrics. — Ken Tucker

(Credit: FX)

As Supergirl’s mentor (and crush object), James — not Jimmy, please — Olsen cuts a super-suave figure that almost puts him on par with the Man of Steel…minus the powers, of course. Always quick with a helpful word and an encouraging smile, he’s the No. 1 fan and friend of his superhero colleagues. That makes us big fans of his. — Ethan Alter

(Credit: CBS)

Good dog! While his pal BoJack Horseman wallows in existential despair, the ever-cheerful Mr. Peanutbutter sees every day as a glorious gift. (He is a golden retriever, after all.) Voiced by comedian Paul F. Tompkins, Mr. Peanutbutter is the smiley-face antidote to BoJack’s sourpuss, enjoying all the perks of celebrity — and life — that BoJack is too angst-ridden to appreciate. It’s no wonder that the brainy Diane has fallen hard for this dopey lug; his empty-headed optimism is proof that ignorance is bliss. — Dave Nemetz

(Credit: Netflix)

He was the big baddie who had fallen for his mark, before The Blacklist dropped his backstory on us and turned him into a loner who was being used for nefarious ends by the man who raised him. Now the broken Tom has given up his chance to literally sail off into a happier, or at least more peaceful, sunset to instead use his considerable spy skills to help save his former mark/wife Liz. And it’s made him the show’s most exciting, sexiest character, even beside Spader’s loquaciousness and his glorious hats. — Kimberly Potts

(Credit: NBC Universal)

Denis O’Hare has managed to do what would have seemed impossible at the beginning of the new season of FX’s horror franchise: steal thunder from the one and only Lady Gaga. Liz’s look, from the Cleopatra eye and statement jewelry to the bold bald head and impossibly high gold heels, is of course instantly captivating. And she tosses out some of the show’s most memorable bon mots while tending bar, consoling the Cortez’s lost souls, pranking pâté-craving hipsters with cat food, and serving the Countess. But she is also an outsider herself, telling a transgender story of pain, heartache, loss, rebirth, confidence, and ultimately redemption. — Carrie Bell

(Credit: FX)

In general, the Black-ish kids are among the least annoying children on TV (no small thing, as TV kids often rank high on the cringe-inducing scale), but the sensitive, field hockey-playing, rom-com-quoting Junior is often a scene-stealer, among a cast of talented adult and younger actors. Whether he’s hopping on stage to sing Marvin Gaye/James Taylor classics with a church band, making It’s Complicated-inspired ice cream, or bonding with his barber Smoke, endearing Junior eschews the clichés of sitcom teens, and brings sweetness and laughs with him every time. — Kimberly Potts

(Credit: ABC)

This Flash sidekick has really been coming into his own this season, proving he’s good for far more than coming up with new tech and naming new metahumans, but that’s not why he makes this list. We cherish every Cisco moment because we know he’s going to come up with a clever line and offer a morsel of levity during even the most dire of moments. He’s the quiet reason The Flash is so much lighter than its counterpart, Arrow. — Breanne L. Heldman

(Credit: The CW)

Donnie’s transformation into the Jesse Pinkman to Alison’s Walter White continued apace in Orphan Black’s third season. As the husband-and-wife team launched new careers as drug dealers, poor Donnie found himself at the mercy of Canada’s answer to Gus Fring, with his nose on the literal chopping block. Like Jesse, though, he’s not just a punching bag: He’s the heart (and conscience) of the duo. Let’s just hope he doesn’t spend Season 4 at the bottom of a pit, guarded by neo-Nazis. — Ethan Alter

(Credit: BBC)

Forget about Season 1 Avery — the jealous jerk who was always undermining then-girlfriend Scarlett’s shaky self-esteem. Today, Avery is a sweet, soft-spoken underdog and devoted daddy to little Cady (okay, fine, her name is Cadence). While Season 4 has been rough on the guy thanks to his disintegrating relationship with Juliette Barnes, every time Avery shows up on the screen holding his chubby-cheeked little baby, we’re too distracted by the cuteness tableau to feel anything but awwwww. Plus, we get bonus Three Men and a Baby vibes whenever he crosses paths with his roommates Gunnar and Will. — Kristen Baldwin

(Credit: ABC)

Our reaction to seeing this ridiculously vain soap star pop up on screen is what we imagine his reaction is when he sees his name trending on Twitter: pure, unfettered joy. Not only is he Jane’s most reliable source of comedy — his celebrity feud with Britney Spears was a series highlight — but he also can deliver heart-stirring emotion as well, especially when he gets protective of his daughter Jane and her family. For Jane fans, Rogelio De La Vega truly is the holiday gift that keeps on giving. — Dave Nemetz

(Credit: The CW)

As the only prominent black physician at the New York hospital known as the Knick, Dr. Edwards sees (through his one good eye) more than his share of early-20th-century racism. But he’s much more than a victim — he’s a brilliant surgeon, a maverick who’ll bend rules to help some of the most unfortunate patients, and a fine ladies’ man as well. — Ken Tucker

(Credit: Cinemax)

Eli-battling campaign manager Ruth Eastman and Alicia-tempting private eye Jason Crouse have been excellent additions to The Good Wife, but I’m most thankful for the chance to enjoy Grace, Alicia’s daughter, after seven seasons. Shouldn’t she be in school or concentrating on homework? Yes. But having her serve as her mother’s makeshift assistant as Alicia starts her own firm from their apartment — inviting in clients, faking phone calls, doing Internet searches — has allowed a character that has always stood outside the fun to finally be in on it. — Mandi Bierly

(Credit: CBS)

After two seasons as Frank Underwood’s right-hand man, Doug suddenly found himself the odd man out as his boss ascended to the Oval Office, while he recovered from his Rachel-inflicted injuries. Watching his self-pity give way to self-improvement was the most compelling storyline in the show’s mostly underwhelming third season. While Frank flailed and floundered, Doug worked the system to maneuver himself back into a position of power, ultimately nabbing the role of President Underwood’s Chief of Staff. It’s a good thing he prizes loyalty above ambition; otherwise, Frank might be addressing Doug as “President Stamper.” — Ethan Alter

(Credit: Netflix)

Call us crazy, but Rebecca Bunch’s office bestie is one of our favorite characters on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Donna Lynn Champlin plays head paralegal Paula Proctor on The CW’s musical comedy, an unhappily married mom of two who becomes the Josh-obsessed lawyer’s partner in crime and… well, enabler. Paula unearthed Rebecca’s trail of social-media stalkings, and an unlikely friendship was formed, so we’ll forgive her for instigating some of her new pal’s craziest stunts. (A family Thanksgiving with the Chan clan and Josh’s girlfriend Valencia?) This sassy soul sister reminds us that we all get a little crazy when it comes to love… especially when we’re crying inside. — Victoria Leigh Miller

(Credit: The CW)

He was a pitiful, plotting, drunken man, the black sheep of the town’s most respected family. But a shocking act of violence during his childhood left Danny feeling unsafe in his own home, and created a man who both desperately wanted to be accepted by his family and also wanted to make sure their seemingly perfect lives weren’t. As always, a great character is only as good as his or her portrayer, but never more so than with Ben Mendelsohn’s performance as Danny, a character you could love, or like, and even sympathize with, right up until it was clear he had become a serious threat to even the innocents in his family. — Kimberly Potts

(Credit: Netflix)

Every fairy tale has its evil queen. And in Lifetime’s scathingly cynical exposé of a Bachelor-type dating show, that’s Quinn, the cutthroat executive producer who ruthlessly manipulates her contestants (and employees) to squeeze every last drop of on-camera drama out of them. She does have something resembling a heart, which we glimpse in her affair with her married boss Chet, but in the end, she’s resigned to being the hard-ass bitch everybody talks about behind her back. Take your happy endings and shove ‘em. — Dave Nemetz

(Credit: Lifetime)

He may be invulnerable to injury, but Cage can have his heart broken, which makes this tough guy one of the more vital superheroes. Whether opening himself up to Jessica Jones or closing down bad-guy schemes, he’s one of the Marvel characters we’re most excited to have join the ranks of TV protagonists. — Ken Tucker

(Credit: Netflix)

Out of all the tangled mysteries USA’s hacker drama threw at us in its virtuoso freshman season, the most confounding one might be: Who the hell is this Tyrell guy? A polished, reptilian E Corp executive who’s savvy enough to recognize Elliot’s gifts, Tyrell made the young tech whiz an offer that felt like a deal with the devil himself. And that might not be far off. Tyrell speaks Swedish with his equally mysterious wife, he beats up homeless guys for kicks, he’ll have sex with a man just to gain a competitive edge… he might just be a figment of Elliot’s imagination, for all we know, but he’s a fascinating creation, wherever he came from. — Dave Nemetz

(Credit: USA)

You wouldn’t necessarily expect a forensic pathologist working in a morgue would be the comic relief of anything. But then again, who would ever expect crime-solving zombies? Ravi provides the perfect counter to our undead heroine, Liv Moore, and while he might be her boss, he also might be one of the best examples of true friendship on television today… and not just because he keeps his brain-eating friend well-fed. — Breanne L. Heldman

(Credit: The CW)

She may have seemed at first to be merely Gretchen’s loose, goosey best pal, but Lindsay has proven to be a sly woman, a good friend, and a very confident, if not especially gifted, rapper. There’s also a core of loneliness to the recently-divorced Lindsay that makes her bravado both gutsy and poignant. — Ken Tucker

(Credit: FX)

He’s the family advice giver, seasoned board gamer, rebellious ditch-day companion, and most importantly, he’s Adam’s best friend. No doubt about it, grandfather Albert “Pops” Solomon is the glue that holds his 1980-something family together. From giving his grandkids advice (behind their “smother’s” back) to driving with a revoked license to try to bail his granddaughter out of jail, Pops is proof that age is just a number. Oh, and that you’re never too old to dress up as Optimus Prime. — Victoria Leigh Miller

(Credit: ABC)

Tina Fey’s Netflix comedy needed a real charming son of a gun to play the cult leader who trapped Kimmy in an underground bunker for 15 years. So of course, they turned to Jon Hamm. The Mad Men star brought the perfect balance of charisma and menace to the good reverend, who nearly sweet-talked a jury into an acquittal with his mesmerizing gift of gab. Yes, this was the year Hamm finally got his Emmy for playing Don Draper… but we have to say this is probably our favorite of his 2015 performances. — Dave Nemetz

(Credit: Netflix)