23 Best Characters from TV Dramas and Limited Series in 2023

When it comes to some of the best TV characters of 2023, dramas and limited series delivered some incredibly memorable ones. Not only did these characters make us feel more connected to the show, but they also helped build some of the best storylines of the year.

Whether you love these characters or completely despise them, it is undeniable that without them, TV wouldn’t be the same. From beloved characters who have been around for more than two decades to characters who made us feel something for a limited amount of episodes, they will all remain a part of TV history.

(Note that we’ll have a separate list dedicated to sci-fi/fantasy characters, so you won’t see those characters listed here.)

In no particular order, here are the 23 Best Characters from Drama and Limited Series of 2023:

1. Olivia Benson (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)

Played by Mariska Hargitay, Olivia Benson has been around for over two decades, and still she manages to remain a fan-favorite character throughout the seasons. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 only solidifies this title.

This year, Benson had to deal with the head of a gang who came after her and threatened her son’s life. Due to this storyline, we got to witness a more fierce side of Benson, one that was willing to do anything to keep her family safe.

At the same time, she had to navigate new additions to her squad room: Muncy, Bruno, and Churlish. As Captain of the team, she must lead by example and make sure that her squad does right by the victims and survivors.

Even though 2023 was a great year for Benson, many still hope her love life will see a happier side come 2024.

2. Roman Roy (Succession)

Succession’s Roman Roy, played by Kieran Culkin, has been through a lot in his life. He’s tried his best to live up to his father’s ever-changing expectations while ignoring the abuse he suffered at the man’s hands.

This season of Succession saw the demise of Logan and the crashing of Roman’s armor.

He had to learn to navigate a world where he could call all the shots and not need his father’s approval. He still made mistakes, but if the series finale is anything to go by, he’s got a positive future, and maybe even some love, ahead.

3. Kim Burgess (Chicago P.D.)

During Chicago P.D. Season 10, Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) continued to grow as a mother and a cop. But more importantly, she grew as a woman, learning to navigate trauma and the effects on her life.

After being attacked, Burgess had to learn how to be a cop with PTSD and how to keep living her life without being constantly in fear. In order to do this, she spent a big part of the season in therapy, working to heal the emotional wounds of her attack.

For those fans who had been rooting for Kim and Adam, this season delivered. This reunion also brought happiness to Burgess’s life and brought their story full circle — something that had been a long time coming.

This year, Burgess became an even better cop and an incredible mother.

4. Athena Grant (9-1-1)

Season after season, Athena Grant, played by Angela Bassett, proves to be an incredible leader, a loving wife, and a mama bear. All of those traits make her one of the best characters on 9-1-1.

During 9-1-1 Season 6, we were able to learn more about Athena’s past before her boyfriend’s death and her decision to become a cop. This journey down memory lane made us suspect whether her father was a good person or not.

However, in perfect Athena manner, she solved the mystery, bringing the culprit to justice and allowing a family to have closure on their daughter’s death.

This year Athena proved why she remains a leading character on her show and why so many of the characters around her look up to her.

5. Queen Charlotte (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story)

For those who loved Queen Charlotte’s character on Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story brought the prequel to life by telling the story of how Charlotte rose to power.

The series focuses on her life, telling the story of how she fell in love with King George and how their marriage came to be. The glimpses into this love story, give us a better understanding of who she was as a woman and how she became the character we first fell in love with on Bridgerton.

Even though Queen Charlotte is a historical character, the show stays true to some aspects of her biography and takes creative liberty in other aspects. This is what makes her such a rich character, worthy of her own TV show.

6. Kate Wyler (The Diplomat)

When it comes to political dramas, we rarely see females on the lead — a direct representation of the political scenery in the US. However, The Diplomat puts Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) front and center.

The show centers around Wyler’s life, her dedication to the government, and the different roles she occupied. Throughout her career, her main goal has always been to make the world a better place, starting in war-torn areas.

The Diplomat takes place after Wyler is forced to become the US ambassador in the UK. Even though it wasn’t what she would have chosen next for her career, it is what duty demands of her.

7. Miranda Bailey (Grey’s Anatomy)

Miranda Bailey, played by Chandra Wilson, has always been one of the most important characters on Grey’s Anatomy. Not only did she professionally raise the best doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, but she also had some incredible storylines.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 Episode 20, “Happily Ever After?” finally gives Bailey the recognition she deserves in a surprise award ceremony. It was the perfect celebration for a character who has been a constant and a fan-favorite for nearly two decades.

It was also in this season that Bailey had to face some of the biggest challenges while fighting for women’s rights alongside Addison Montgomery. Through the hatred and the fear, she never gave up and proved why she is Miranda Bailey.

8. The Mantle Twins (Dead Ringers)

Many times, we’ve seen an actor play more than one character on a show or movie, and that’s exactly what Rachel Weisz does by portraying the Mantle Twins on Dead Ringers.

The twins, whose behavior is questionable due to their ethically questionable practices, have different traits that distinguish them from one another. Weisz’s performance must be highlighted as it is the thing that brings the show together.

This is a different take on the Mantle Twins than the one viewers originally saw in the movie of the same name in which Jeremy Irons portrayed Elliot and Beverley. It is one that will be remembered.

9. Misty (Yellowjackets)

Misty Quigley of Yellowjackets, played by the incomparable Christina Ricci, seems to be a natural fit for this list of the best drama characters of 2023 because of how openly she welcomes drama into her life.

She is fueled by drama — be it fictional or real life, harmless or dangerous.

And she can get quite obsessive with her interests which brings loads of drama to an already dramatic story. Sometimes those interests focus on her friends and she acts out in extreme ways as a means of expressing her love language.

It’s all very entertaining and dark and over-the-top, and the show, as well as the Yellowjackets’ story, wouldn’t be the same without her.

10. Elizabeth Zott (Lessons in Chemistry)

Elizabeth Zott, played by Brie Larson, from Lessons in Chemistry is the kind of heroine we need to see more of on television. Her story is defined by both her mind and her heart, as she struggles to be taken seriously as a brilliant chemist due to the sexism of the 1950s while also overcoming her personal trauma to let others in.

Brie Larson’s portrayal of the practical, blunt Elizabeth imbues enough warmth and vulnerability to show that even if her approaches are unconventional, her heart is in the right place. She cares about making a difference in the world, not just for herself but for other women and people who are oppressed.

Her journey to stay true to herself while letting in the world around her is a beautiful reminder of how change is possible while still being you.

11. Joe Cruz (Chicago Fire)

Chicago Fire Season 11 gave Joe Cruz, played by Joe Minoso, the room to prove himself as a leader and show why he has been a part of Firehouse 51 for so many years.

On Chicago Fire Season 10, viewers got to see Cruz grow personally as a family man, but this year it was his time to grow professionally. As Severide had to leave Rescue Squad 3, it was Cruz who became the leader and had to step up.

Even though it took him a bit to find his ground in a new role with more responsibilities, he proved to be worthy of his new title. Cruz has always been a loyal coworker and friend, and now he adds trustworthy leader to his resume.

Hopefully, Severide’s return on Chicago Fire Season 12 won’t take away from Cruz’s professional growth.

12. Darby (A Murder at the End of the World)

On A Murder at the End of the World, Darby doesn’t seem like your typical leading lady, but she proves to be worthy of this title.

Played by Emma Corrin, Darby combines everything the show wants to tell in one person: the intersection between crime and technology. Even though she highlights that tech isn’t a female-led industry, she seems to lead the pack of hackers by being the most capable one to solve the murders.

Darby’s past hunting a serial killer and her hacking knowledge make her a well-rounded character, but she remains quite mysterious to the audience. We get to learn bits and pieces of her past, and yet that’s not enough for us to know her completely.

It is this mystery that makes her such a great character.

13. Verna (The Fall of the House of Usher)

Carla Gugino’s presence in Mike Flanagan’s universe will always be captivating to the audience. No matter what role she takes on, she manages to surprise us.

The Fall of the House of Usher’s Verna is no exception. As an entity that we can’t quite name, she becomes a fan-favorite character against a corrupt family who can’t seem to escape death.

The more the audience gets to learn about Verna, the more intriguing she seems and the more we like her.

Gugino’s talent helps bring this character together, defying the laws of time and putting an end to the Usher empire.

14. Gabi Mosely (Found)

In an era when new shows must stand out tremendously to get renewed, Found has done exactly that by the hand of Gabi Mosely, an unconventional hero turned leading character.

In the present, Mosely is a public relations specialist who runs a firm that is in charge of finding missing people. The goal is to help find those who have been forgotten by the system and the media. And it comes from Mosely’s own experience of having been kidnapped when she was a teenager.

Even though on the outside she can be considered a hero, some may question this as viewers know Mosely has her own captor living in her basement and helping with different cases.

Mosely’s secret is something we’ve not seen in crime shows before and what makes her stand out from all the new characters in 2023.

15. June Hart (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart)

June Hart’s first introduction on The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart made us feel as if she was an unlikeable character. However, as the season goes by, the audience learns about June’s past and she becomes more likeable.

Played by Sigourney Weaved, June is a woman who has been through hell and back, and who dedicated her life to helping other women in similar (or worse) situations. June created a safe haven and wasn’t afraid to speak up regarding domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and harassment.

Characters like June are also extremely important as she gave a voice to the LGBTQ+ community by showcasing a love story with another woman. It is rare for us to see storylines involving two older women in love, but the love story between June and Twig was inspiring and comforting.

16. Alec Mercer (The Irrational)

For most viewers, what they know about behavioral analysis comes from shows like Criminal Minds. The Irrational introduces a new behavioral scientist who has come to change the field: Alec Mercer.

Mercer, played by Jesse L. Martin, is a professor at Wylton University, but he also works as a law enforcement consultant to solve different cases. He is known for his unique and unconventional approach to studying and understanding human behavior.

Throughout the series, he proves to be highly successful in his work as he is able to understand how the minds of criminals work and what motivates them to commit a crime. That is also what has made Mercer a target and what has drawn him to dangerous games with the criminals he must help capture.

17. Elliot Stabler (Law & Order: Organized Crime)

Since his return to the Law & Order franchise, Elliot Stabler has been struggling with PTSD, constantly going undercover, and trying to find his ground. It seems it got slightly better during Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3.

Stabler’s anger issues will always be present — particularly when a case involves the people he loves. But it is that passion for his job and dedication to his loved ones that make him the kind of character who can return after a decade and still be loved by the fans.

Towards the end of Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3, the audience can feel Stabler healing from the loss of his wife and being ready to move forward with his life. Still, we must recognize that it was that grief that managed to create the perfect storylines for him throughout the show.

18. Jalen Shaw (Law & Order)

Law & Order has seen many detectives come and go in the over two decades the show has been on. One of them who has stood out among the crowd recently is Jalen Shaw, played by Mehcad Brooks.

Out of the two detectives on Law & Order Season 22, Shaw seems to be the calmer one, with a composed demeanor that he only breaks when needed. He can be a fierce detective when a case demands it or when someone he loves is in danger.

His background in law helps him excel in his job and become a memorable detective in the squad.

19. Joe Leaphorn (Dark Winds)

Dark Winds Season 2 put its central character, Joe Leaphorn, played by Zahn McClarnon, to the test in almost every way possible.

It tested his relationship with his wife, Emma, as they continued to struggle with grief over the loss of their only son years earlier. Grief is made raw again when Joe learns the killer he is pursuing also killed Joe Jr.

It tested him morally and physically on the season’s most harrowing episode, Dark Winds Season 2 Episode 4, “The March,” as he escorts that man through the desert so that he can turn him into authorities, even as every fiber of his being wants to kill him there and then.

By the end of the season, Joe’s very idea of what justice looks like is tested when he is faced with the likely possibility that the man ultimately responsible for killing his son may get away with it because he is rich and white.

Add to all that a truly outstanding performance from Zahn McClarnon, and the result is a complex and emotional character exploration, leaving viewers with a fascinating portrait of this stalwart sheriff.

20. Nick Nelson (Heartstopper)

Characters like Heartstopper’s Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) are so important for the LGBTQ+ community. They help shed light on what it is like to be a queer person figuring out who you are and how different your life can be after coming out of the closet.

During Heartstopper Season 2, Nick began to navigate life as Charlie’s boyfriend and a recently out bisexual teenager. He showed that it wasn’t always easy to be true to himself, but that it was always worth it to stand up for who he is.

The fear of having to tell the world about his sexuality is something that queer people go through and the show does a great job of portraying this through Nick.

Having a character like Nick Nelson on a streaming platform like Netflix is extremely important to give a platform for queer people to find stories like their own and to feel seen.

21. Bradley Jackson (The Morning Show)

While The Morning Show’s Bradley Jackson, played by Reese Witherspoon, suffered a crisis of conscience in Season 3, she’s continued to try to do what’s right and be the kind of journalist our country needs.

From the beginning of the season, she fights to be able to cover stories about abortion and eventually finds herself in the thick of it during the January 6th insurrection.

There, she’s forced to choose — doing what’s right as a journalist or doing what’s right for her family. It’s a decision that makes her human more than anything, and it’s impossible not to care about her plight. Add to that, the season reveals a significant loss and a more complex backstory for her character.

Bradley Jackson doesn’t let anyone take advantage of her, and she’s grown a heck of a lot over the course of the series. Based on The Morning Show Season 3 finale, she’s only continuing that growth.

22. Addison Montgomery (Grey’s Anatomy)

It doesn’t matter how many episodes she stays away for, Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) will always be welcomed back on Grey’s Anatomy.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 did something incredible by focusing on women’s rights and the country’s fight for/against abortion. It was then that Addison came back to the scene by being an amazing advocate and risking her life to bring care for women all over the country.

As a double-board-certified OB/GYN, Addison Montgomery has always been a character who fights for women, voices their concerns, and finds ways to give them the treatment they deserve. She has never shied away from a challenge or a difficult path.

Her return this season was incredibly emotional not only because she had to fight haters and witness the cruel reality so many women face in the US, but also for her encounter with Derek’s children. This brought closure to her life with him and allowed the fans to make peace with Derek’s death as well.

23. Sir (Found)

Though it seemed at first that Sir, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, in the new drama Found was just another villain, it quickly became clear that wasn’t the case. While this isn’t a character we want to root for, he’s certainly one of the most interesting, complex characters to come out of a TV drama in 2023.

His complicated relationship with his victim of years ago, Gabi Mosely, reveals his own loneliness and, eventually, is more understood thanks to flashbacks of him as a child. 

Sir also helps Gabi with her cases on a regular basis, all while being chained up in her basement. Even that, though, is complicated — because it’s revealed that he likely wanted her to catch him. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of this character and the impact he’ll have on the series overall. It’s a good thing Found has already been renewed for another season. 

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Additional contributions from Mads Misasi, Erin Allen, Ashley Bissette Sumerel, Sarah Fields, and Breeze Riley.

What characters did we miss? Who were your favorite TV Drama and Limited Series characters this year?

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