Despite the increasingly contentious environment in the entertainment business, Netflix remains near the top of the food chain. The service that first launched the streaming craze in the mid-2010s has solidified its leadership, even as many of its competitors struggle to stay afloat.
Netflix’s library of original shows is remarkably strong, including critically-acclaimed and viewership juggernauts likeThe Crown,Stranger Things, andSquid Game. These series became international hits thanks to their collection of strong and memorable characters, many of which became instant icons of modern television. From lead figures to supporting players, heroes and villains alike, these characters are the main reasons behind Netflix’s success and superstars of the streaming world.
15Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) - ‘Lucifer’ (2016-2021)
Based on the now-iconic DC character introduced inNeil Geiman’sThe Sandman,LuciferstarsTom Ellisas the titular character (a role he originated on network TV). The show follows Lucifer as he abandons hell and moves to Los Angeles, where he runs a nightclub and becomes a consultant for the Los Angeles Police Department.
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Ellis is devastatingly charming as the Lord of Hell. In his hands, Lucifer Morningstar is a creature of pure desire: lustful, daring, and nearly irresistible. Outgoing and instantly likable, Lucifer is among the best adaptations of any DC character, successfully reinventing him for a modern audience while remaining close enough to the source material to not alienate loyal fans.
14Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox) - ‘Daredevil’ (2015-2018)
The 2010s exploded with superhero content, but only a few projects stood out in the overly competitive market. Netflix’sDaredevilwas one such project, withCharlie Coxstarring as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened senses and expertise in combat who fights crime as a nocturnal vigilante.
Cox perfectly embodies Murdock’s contradictions, playing the righteous Murdock by day and shining as the brutal Daredevil by night. Unlike other Marvel superheroes, Cox’s Daredevil lived up to his name; violent, relentless, and unforgiving, the Man Without Fear was grounded by faith, adding yet another layer to his already rich and intricate characterization.
13Number Five (Aidan Gallagher) - ‘The Umbrella Academy (2019-)
The Umbrella Academyis among Netflix’s most interesting and ambitious efforts. Based on the eponymous comic book series, the show revolves around a dysfunctional family of estranged superpowered adoptive siblings. Reuniting after years, the group must investigate their father’s death and stop an impending apocalypse.
The show juggles an impressive cast, althoughAidan Gallagheris undeniably the standout. An adult trapped in an adolescent’s body due to some time-traveling shenanigans, Number Five is a captivating creation that commands and steals every scene he’s in. Gallagher has the herculean task of playing a figure wise beyond his years without succumbing to tired clichés. He excels by leaning on Five’s gonzo traits, crafting a suitably wacky characterization that perfectly fits the show’s unique world.
12Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren (Uzo Aduba) - ‘Orange Is The New Black (2013-2019)
Arguably the show that put Netflix on the map,Orange is the New Blackdraws from Piper Kerman’s memoir to deliver an acidic and darkly-comedic dramedy. The show follows Piper Chapman, a 33-year-old woman sentenced to serve 15 months at a minimum security prison. The plot chronicles her experiences with the erratic characters she meets inside, including the scene-stealing force of nature, Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren.
Played by the marvelousUzo Aduba, Crazy Eyes lives up to her name and reputation. Bright but volatile and socially awkward, Crazy Eyes struggles with her mental health, resulting in a discomforting but captivating character unlike any other in television. Aduba remains the only performer to win Emmys in the Comedy and Drama categories for the same role in the same show, a testament to her timeless brilliance.
11Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) - ‘Sex Education’ (2019-)
The raunchy comedySex Educationis amongthe best teen originals on Netflix. The plot follows Otis Millburn, an awkward teenager who begins a sex advice clinic in his high school, aided by Maeve Wiley, a clever outsider with a divisive reputation.
Emma Mackeybecame an instant star thanks to her portrayal of Maeve. Acidic and intelligent but warm and easy to root for, Maeve is one of television’s most refreshing teen characters. Mackey is a spitfire in the role, expertly blending brazenness and wit with vulnerability and honesty. It’s not an easy trick to pull off, yet Mackey makes it look easy, becoming the show’s breakout character.
10Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) - ‘Squid Game’ (2021-)
Netflix’s unexpected 2021 hitSquid Gametook the world by storm. The South Korean survival thriller follows a group of financially-distressed individuals who agree to compete in a dangerous event made from deadly children’s games.Lee Jung-jaestars as Seong Gi-hun, a gambling addict competing to pay his debts and win shared custody of his daughter.
Lee gives a harrowing but understated performance in the show, portraying the character’s horrific struggles with raw intensity. However, the actor keeps Lee grounded, turning him into the audience’s eyes within the games. Lee won the Emmy Award for his work inSquid Game, becomingthe first Asian actor to winthe accolade in the ceremony’s 75-year history.
9Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) - ‘Wednesday’ (2022-)
The Addams Family is a prominent part of pop culture. However, the 2022 showWednesdayredefined the iconic Wednesday Addams for a new generation.Modern scream queenJenna Ortegaplays the macabre character, with the show following her into a prestigious private school for supernatural beings, where she becomes involved in a dangerous mystery.
Wednesdayis an uneven and often silly show held together by Ortega’s outstanding performance. The actress is the pillar that holds the entire thing, delivering a dry yet engaging interpretation that makes the character irresistible. Ortega creates a new heroine for Gen Z, and while Addams purists might take issue with the show, no one can argue against Ortega’s stellar work.
8Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess) - ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ (2015-2020)
Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtstarsEllie Kemperas the titular character, a young woman who escapes a cult after 15 years and begins a new life in New York City. Kimmy then meets struggling and over-the-top actor Titus Andromedon, becoming her roommate and close friend.
The underratedTituss Burgessplays Titus Andromedon, stealing every scene he’s in and delivering one of the best and wildest comedic performances of the 2010s. Titus is a true icon; what Burgess does is nothing short of masterful, playing up Titus’ larger-than-life qualities without reducing the character to a caricature. Titus Andromedon is a work of comedic genius, and Burgess deserves all the flowers he deservedly received for his hysterical performance.
7Jim Hopper (David Harbour) - ‘Stranger Things’ (2016-)
Stranger Thingshas a large and delightful collection of memorable and popular characters, but few are better than the reliable and inspiring Jim Hopper. Played byDavid Harbour, Jim is Hawkins’ chief of police. Initially a chainsmoking and detached alcoholic, Jim becomes heavily involved in the town’s supernatural battle through his relationships with Joyce Byers and Eleven.
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Harbour’s performance has been critically acclaimed, with the actor receiving two Emmy nominations for the beloved role. Jim is one ofStranger Things’ pillars: strong, reliable, and supportive, he grounds the narrative and provides stability when it threatens to descend into the Upside Down’s chaos. Jim’s character has a rough time in season 3 but earns his much-needed redemption in season 4, confirming himself as one of the show’s best figures.
6Geralt Of Rivia (Henry Cavill) - ‘The Witcher (2019-)
It’s not an overstatement to say Geralt of Rivia is the roleHenry Cavillwas born to play. The White Wolf is known across the Continent for his skill in battle and supposed cruelty. However, Geralt is as neutral as they come, avoiding politics and controversies and leading a solitary existence - until fate intervenes.
The Witcherlives and dies with Cavill’s Geralt. The actor is brilliant in what could easily be an off-putting role; after all, Geralt is stoic, grumpy, almost expressionless, and notoriously distant. However, Cavill keeps Geralt grounded and accessible, if not necessarily relatable.The Witcherhas many great characters, but Geralt is the undeniable star, a fascinating and complicated figure that proves Cavill has more versatility than he’s often given credit for.
