20 Vastly Underrated TV Characters of 2019

We all have our favorite television characters; it’s what makes watching shows so great. We find ourselves connecting to a vast array of people. 

What happens when you appreciate a character but no one else seems to? You find yourself singing this character’s praises in the hopes of finding a way to connect more people to them.

It’s that time of year for us at Tell-Tale TV to compile a list of all the characters we feel went under the radar when they should’ve had a bit of the spotlight. Below is our list of the 20 Vastly Underrated TV Characters of 2019 — in no particular order.

1. Mark Conner-Healy (The Conners)

Despite being only a preteen, this character has already made a big splash on network television. He is the young son of Darlene Conner and David Healy on The Conners.

He is usually overlooked by many members of his family unless something directly happens to him. Unfortunately, that means many people miss the importance of this young LGBTQ+ character. He deserves more recognition for the subtle way that he teaches love and understanding.

He is a simple example of how beautiful and ordinary LGBTQ+ kids really are. He’s changing hearts and minds within his family with each passing day — none more so than his grandfather, Dan.

2. Johnny Rose (Schitt’s Creek)

On a show like Schitt’s Creek that has a slew of characters more silly and dramatic than the next, the quieter characters tend to go by the wayside. Johnny Rose is one such character.

His quiet, straight-laced demeanor is what brings comfort and relief to his often over-the-top wife, Moira. The gentle nuances, such as facial expressions, of his character are artfully performed by Emmy nominated Eugene Levy and really help Johnny jump off the screen.

Johnny manages to pull a few zingers from time to time, leaving us all in tears from our laughter. He does so much for his family and friends which unfortunately goes overlooked more often than not.

3. Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Chicago Fire)

One of the greatest “diamond in the rough” characters is hands down Brian “Otis” Zvonecek. He is a firefighter with a heart as big as the city of Chicago.

He never gives up, even when illness or injury tries to sideline him. Most of what he does goes unnoticed by both his co-workers and Chicago Fire fans alike.

Even though we lost him to the job this year, his legacy will live on. It’s just too bad that he didn’t gain recognition until after he was gone.

4. Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti (iZombie)

iZombie is a show that focuses on just how much zombies are like their human counterparts, so the humans themselves tend to be pushed to the side in favor of the undead characters, which is really unfortunate in the case of Ravi Chakrabarti.

Dr. Chakrabarti has spent the whole series seeking to normalize zombies in the eyes of those who are more conservative. He does this all while being a medical examiner for the city and while searching for a zombie cure.

Even when he finds the cure, he refuses to become famous over it. Dr. Chakrabarti chooses the shadows in order to let others shine.

5. Eugene “Arseface” Root (Preacher)

The beauty of Preacher is that no one character can be defined by a single attribute. Just like Jesse is more than a con man and Cassidy is more than a vampire, Eugene is more than a simple teenager.

The whole series he’s underestimated because most people don’t feel he’s worth anything — all because he tried to kill himself. What most don’t realize is Eugene walks this life with unwavering faith in both Jesse and God.

His level of faith could easily change the course of the show if given the opportunity — everyone needs a bit of Eugene’s positivity in their lives. What we should all focus on though is Ian Colletti’s performance making a character that shouldn’t have ever been a blip on the radar really stand out.

6. Dr. Daniel Charles (Chicago Med)

There are many great doctors to grace the halls of Chicago Med. One of the greatest ones is Dr. Daniel Charles, the hospital’s head of Psychiatry.

His intelligence knows no bounds, and his understanding of his patients earns him quite a bit of respect. He’s so talented that many times his co-workers don’t fully appreciate him — they just expect his talents to always be there.

Dr. Charles is one of the quieter doctors on staff, but he can stand tall against even the flashiest of his colleagues. People would do well to see him for all that he is because his heart and mind might just surprise them.

7. Ralph Dibney (The Flash)

Team Flash is ambiguously credited with a lot of successes in saving Central City. However, no one from Team Flash has demonstrated such growth as a character as Ralph Dibny (Hartley Sawyer), AKA “Elongated Man.”

Dibny’s transformation from a fired police officer and jaded private detective to meta-human, superhero, and the all-around good guy is a stunning one, and during that journey, he has become one of the biggest sources of heart and humor on The Flash, and really in the whole Arrowverse, too.

Watching Dibny starts out (briefly) as a chore, but has overall turned into a humorous and heroic delight. Elongated Man is the hero of the future, and we’re here for it.

8. Terry Jeffords (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Everyone loves the 99th precinct on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Unfortunately, Terry Jeffords doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves.

Terry gets passed over time and time again for characters like Amy, Jake, Diaz, or even Captain Holt. What most people don’t realize though is he’s the glue that holds everyone together.

Now, more than ever, he’s the father of the ragtag team of detectives. He looks tough and all muscle when really he has a heart of gold. His softness really puts into check all the toxic masculinity that usually graces cop dramas/comedies.

9. Tom Wambsgans (Succession)

On Succession, family is everything, but no one is to be trusted. With all the deception going on in the Roy family people sometimes forget about Tom Wambsgans or even overlook him.

Out of all the Roy family members, Tom is arguably one of the most devious. He makes deals and decisions from the sidelines — always in the hope of one day gaining the power of the family business.

Members of the Roy family would do well not to count him out. His wholesome charm is all just a cover for the more take charge nature of this man — even when his plans continue to fail, he never gives up.

10. Tess Pearson (This Is Us)

When This Is Us premiered in 2016, Tess Pearson was simply one of Randell and Beth’s adorable daughters in a seemingly picture-perfect family. But over the seasons, Tess has become one of the show’s most interesting and increasingly important characters.

Tess’s importance as a queer character of color when those stories are so rare can’t be overstated.

But, more important than simply being an example of much-needed representation, it’s a beautifully empathetic story of discovering who you are and the complicated messy feelings that come with sharing that part of yourself with the world. It’s a story worthy of the character Tess has grown into and one that matters well beyond the confines of the show.

It’s impossible to really talk about why Tess is such a wonderful character without acknowledging the stellar performance Eris Baker, who plays Tess. As much as it’s the writers that make Tess’s story so phenomenal, Baker’s performance is what sets it apart.

Baker brings an understanding and sensitivity to the role that seems well beyond her years. She is vulnerable in a way that feels completely honest and always manages to find small beats that convey everything Tess is feeling but not necessarily saying.

11. Lizzie Saltzman (Legacies)

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Saltzman, along with her twin sister Josie, are witches that are enrolled at the Salvatore School on Legacies.

Lizzie is often overshadowed by others, including her own sister, and is often discounted due to her battle with mental illness. However, she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Lizzie survived being possessed when many others would’ve succumbed within seconds, proving she’s stronger mentally that anyone gives her credit for. Not to mention, she’s definitely the person I would want to be stuck in a video game labyrinth with — her archery skills are impressive, as is her ability to think outside the box to figure out a solution.

She’s caring, insanely talented and powerful, and her skills at coming up with nicknames insults are unmatched.

12. Arthur Ketch (Supernatural)

On the show about two brothers and the bonds of family, outsiders really tend to get the short end of the stick. This is why Arthur Ketch of the British Men of Letters often gets forgotten.

He’s been on and off the show throughout the last few seasons, but that doesn’t diminish his importance to the cause. He is a character who was sent to put down the Winchester’s, but instead, he ends up finding his humanity.

Ketch may have died this season, but he protected Sam and Dean to the very end. His sacrifices for them rarely gets the recognition it deserves. Everyone should want someone like him on their team.

13. Ann Walker  (Gentleman Jack)

While the main focus of Gentleman Jack’s historically accurate story is Anne Lister, you can’t discredit the importance of her lover Ann Walker.

In a time when LGBTQ+ couples were not common or easily accepted, Walker lived her life truthfully and with the woman she loved. There is something to be said about that level of confidence.

Despite all this Walker also suffers from mental illness, which is a story our world needs to see more of. Sophie Rundle portrays all of that on a level that really brings Ann Walker back to life.

14. Dr. Richard Webber (Grey’s Anatomy)

The most understated storyline on Grey’s Anatomy is the love affair between Dr. Richard Webber and his hospital. It’s the one vein that remains no matter who comes and goes.

In a way, you could say Dr. Webber is the hospital. Unfortunately, more often than not doctors view him as past his prime and in need of retirement.

What most don’t realize though is the vast wealth of knowledge and experience Dr. Webber can offer the world. He’s seen it all and managed to live to tell the tale.

15. Princess Anne (The Crown)

What do you do when your mother rules the monarchy? For Princess Anne, this means throwing caution to the wind and living your life as if you aren’t a prestigious royal.

This year we got to see Princess Anne go from a rebellious teenager to a headstrong young woman. Her story, while most of the time overshadowed by that of her brother, should never be discredited.

She knows the perfect way to keep life interesting and doesn’t care too much for the formalities of being a future monarch.

16. Howie “Chimney/Chim” Han (9-1-1)

The fan-favorite drama, 9-1-1, boasts a whole diverse cast of characters, and one of the most overlooked characters is Howie “Chimney/Chim” Han.

He’s the one member of the 118 team who has been at the firehouse the longest. He’s had to overcome great adversity to get where he is today.

His heart and his humor often get overlooked because he may not be one of the bolder members. However, Chim is the glue that holds the 118 family together. We just wish it didn’t take his life being on the line for everyone to realize that.

17. Valencia Perez (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)

One show we are sad to see go this year is Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Valencia Perez is one of many beloved characters on this show that really sparked to life in the final season.

When we first meet her, she is Josh Chan’s girlfriend, soon to be ex-girlfriend. This immediately puts her into the not well-liked category. Over time though she mellows out and becomes really close friends with Rebecca, which leads her to the realization of her own bisexuality.

It’s a real shame that many overlook her because the level of pure honesty in which she lives her life is something to respect and admire.

18. Darlene Alderson (Mr. Robot)

Mr. Robot fans knew they had something special when Darlene Alderson barged onscreen for the first time with her signature snark and iconic heart-shaped glasses. Killer style aside, it is the charismatic relationship she has built with her brother, Elliot, that has truly won us over.

By establishing herself as Elliot and the show’s moral compass, Darlene has been unstoppable since the beginning of this hacker drama’s reign. She has a chip on her shoulder, but she’s an incredible hacker who has stayed strong through the tragic death of two loved ones.

Her flaws are what make her such a genuine written female character, and her panic attacks are one of the most accurate portrayals of anxiety you’ll see on television.

It takes one hell of a character to upstage Rami Malek and Christian Slater, but Carly Chaikin has put in the time and effort to make Darlene a deserving standout of this series.

19. Katherine Saville (A Million Little Things)

Katherine Saville (Grace Park) is the literal definition of an underrated character. When we meet her on A Million Little Things Season 1, her work schedule and colder nature are partly blamed for her husband Eddie’s affair.

That gets a little bit better over time, but she’s still the noticeable outcast of the friend group.

Plus, she ends the season turning down a promotion at work to spend time with her family. On Season 2, she makes the difficult decision to stay with Eddie after finding out Delilah’s newborn daughter is Eddie’s child.

She goes above and beyond what the average woman in that situation would do, not only completely embracing Charlotte but also standing by her husband’s side as he seeks parental rights. Yet, she’s still noticeably on the outskirts of the group and it’s not what she deserves.

Katherine deserves a storyline all about her wants and desires, completely separate from the desires of her husband and son.

20. Jefferson Pierce (Black Lightning)

Jefferson Pierce is one of the latest superheroes to enter the Arrowverse as Black Lightning. Much like some of his verse counterparts, he’s a man on a mission to protect his city, Freeland, whatever the costs, whether he’s in his Black Lightning suit or as principal.

Unlike some of his Arrowverse counterparts, though, he doesn’t necessarily get the same amount of love as the others do, especially as Jeff’s series continues to impress as each season passes.

With the electrifying superhero making his big crossover debut on “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” maybe there’s hope that more will discover and appreciate one of the heroes from Freeland

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What TV Characters from this year do you feel are underrated? Did we miss any that you feel deserve recognition? Sound off in the comments below.

*Additional contributions by: Nick Hogan, Sarah Fields, Esme Mazzeo, Brianna Martinez, and Alicia Gilstorf.

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