19 Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror TV Characters of 2018

Characters from sci-fi, fantasy, and horror shows are often among the most complex.

They get to be both dramatic and comedic within a genre that doesn’t typically get awarded with the accolades it might deserve. These captivating performances happen in worlds that defy time or space, whether fighting against demons and aliens or taking place in the far-off future and distant past.

These shows are a form of escapism for many fans, and there are so many great characters from this year’s TV offerings. 

In no particular order, here are 19 of the best characters from sci-fi, fantasy, and horror TV shows that aired in 2018. (Tread carefully, as you may find some spoilers below!)

1. Wynonna Earp (Wynonna Earp)

Wynonna Earp is the perfect mix of badass and heart. She’s had some highs and lows over the years, and this season was no different as she fought bad guys, got into some complicated love life drama, and made room for a few drinks.

Wynonna went through some major losses this year, including losing her status as the Chosen One — she had finally accepted that she was the heir, only to discover it was actually her younger half-sister Waverly. Grief may be what is driving Wynonna and her decisions, but love will always be her foundation.

No matter what Wynonna is going through, we as the audience are glued to the television and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

2. Grant MacLaren (Travelers)

Grant MacLaren might be better known as Traveler 3468, and this team leader is more than just a man following orders from the future.

Grant often has to tackle his own feelings of guilt and the strain of constant manipulation that comes with living a double life. He is loyal to his team, but this loyalty and his heart also turn out to be the team’s biggest threat when Grant veers off course.

We still aren’t 100% sure what Season 3 will bring for this traveler and his team, but whatever it is, keep a close eye on the focused agent. He has a few tricks up his sleeve and one mission he can’t afford to fail.

3. Lucy Preston (Timeless)

Television is full of some magnificent female roles, but we think Lucy Preston is a rare diamond. As a history buff and teacher, she is not your normal superhero, and that is one of the things that makes her special. She made history cool and is one of the most relatable characters in today’s television landscape.

Even though her story has come to an end as Timeless aired its finale, Lucy’s impact will continue on throughout time. Her complexity and unapologetic attitude towards life is infectious, and within a show where so much changed in an instant, her grounded nature kept everyone sane.

Lucy is brave and kind, she loves deeply, and she is not afraid to be passionate about something. She taught us all it’s ok to be who we are and will be sorely missed.

4. Julia Wicker (The Magicians)

In just three seasons, Julia has been through a lot. With the exception of the time she was temporarily shadeless, Julia has always remained kind and strong at heart. Season 3 of The Magicians shows us a world where magic had been cut off — and yet Julia can still use a little bit of magic.

We later learn that because she showed mercy to Reynard, his godliness was gifted to Julia by Persephone. With this little spark of magic, she helped Quentin, she gave Josh hope, restored the Fillorian sentiment forest and helped her friends on their quest. But most importantly, along with Fen, she helped rescue the fairies that been imprisoned.

Julia’s empathy is what connects her to the world around her. Stella Maeve’s performance has turned Julia into one of the best characters in an all-around wonderful ensemble. As of the last season’s cliffhanger, we know that at the moment Julia, like the rest of the characters, doesn’t remember who she is. But we have no doubt that if anyone can figure things out, it’s Julia Wicker.

5. Nell (The Haunting of Hill House)

The Haunting of Hill House is a show that delves into each of the lives of the Crain family. Throughout the ten episodes, it is Nell that connects them and brings them together.

Nell’s story is tragic, yet there is always a hopeful optimism. She still sees the good even through the lens of the horror which stains her family’s history, providing the light in the darkness of their chilling tale.

6. Iris West-Allen (The Flash)

Being a superhero’s love interest can be challenging. Too often this role leaves female characters shunted off to the sidelines in stories with little to do beyond getting threatened or kidnapped by evil villains, or waiting for their boyfriends to save them from danger.

The Flash‘s Iris West-Allen doesn’t bother with any of that. She may be Barry’s wife, but she’s certainly no damsel in distress. In fact, she serves as the de facto leader of Team Flash, taking point on organizing and running missions from STAR Labs and heading out into the field herself when necessary.

She’s actually saved Barry more than once in Season 5, including taking a sincerely ridiculous leap of faith off the side of a building toward what might otherwise be certain doom. Plus, with the arrival of Nora (Barry and Iris’ daughter from the future), we’ve gotten to see a whole new side of Iris as she’s worked to build a relationship with her, despite Nora’s various grudges over mistakes that this Iris hasn’t even committed yet.

Iris proves that you don’t need superpowers to be a hero — you just need the heart of one. And she has that in spades.

7. Clarke Griffin (The 100)

After spending six years alone in the last survivable land on Earth being a single mom and idealizing the friends and family she was separated from in Praimfaya, Clarke Griffin came face to face with the life she left behind but was always prepared to meet again.

Season 5 Clarke Griffin evolved from the headstrong young leader of Skaikru who would do anything to protect her people into a fiercely protective mama bear who would do anything to keep her adopted daughter safe.

Clarke always thinks the world of everyone she loves, lifting up Lexa, her mother, and her friends in her memory to be pillars of goodness, strength, and heroism, while never seeking to put herself on that pedestal. So many times Clarke has had the weight of the world on her shoulders and the fate of humanity in her hands. The decisions she makes are never easy, and sometimes she makes the wrong choice — but she always acts with integrity.

Clarke has had to be the bad guy from time to time out of necessity. But in the new world, and with everyone she loves back by her side, we know she’ll do everything she can to make sure that they’re the good guys this time.

8. Gabriel (Supernatural)

Gabriel is the youngest and most carefree of the four archangels on Supernatural. He tends to stay out of the battle between his father and brothers, Michael and Lucifer, but he will jump in when the situation really calls for it.

A few seasons ago, he came face to face with Lucifer and after a bit of a scuffle got killed — or so fans thought. Then this year Asmodeus, the King of Hell, revealed that he had Gabriel in a cage and was torturing him.

Fans were so excited to see Gabriel back due to his great chemistry with both Lucifer and the Winchesters. This time, though, he needed to be healed to get back to his usual self after a long period of torture.

Finally, he helps the Winchesters and Lucifer go through a rift to the other world. During the battle over there, he sacrifices himself to his brother Michael to save everyone else. The ending for his character is sad but redemptive, after all the years he spent avoiding the fight.

9. Magnus Bane (Shadowhunters)

Magnus Bane was once the High Warlock of Brooklyn, and though he no longer holds that title, many still treat him as such. He has been alive for hundreds of years and still manages to find beauty in the world around him.

Through his relationship with Alec Lightwood, the Head of the NY Institute, Magnus has started to bridge the gap between Shadowhunters and down-worlders such as himself, the vampires, and the werewolves. Despite this sense of purpose and responsibility, Magnus has a flirty and fun flair that still makes him approachable by all.

Most importantly, Magnus is an accurate portrayal of a bisexual person who is in a happy, healthy, committed relationship — which is something television is still sorely lacking.

10. John Jaqobis (Killjoys)

John Jaqobis is considered the mischievous and sarcastic partner in crime, but don’t let that fool you — he is full of heart.

He’s a loyal best friend to Dutch and a protective younger brother to D’Avin. He continues to go through hell and back for those he loves and wants to protect. This year, Johnny dealt with past demons and fought to save his best friend and brother as they fought The Lady.

John’s family has grown quite a lot this season, and even though that cliffhanger season finale punched us right in the gut, the show has always been about family finding their way back to each other. 

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