15 Favorite TV Characters from Sci-fi/Fantasy Series in 2025

There were so many excellent sci-fi/fantasy series in 2025, and often, what made them stand out most were the characters.

From shows such as Andor, Paradise, Gen V, Severance, and Stranger Things, these characters ranged from well-rounded and relatable to fascinating and unsettling. 

In no particular order, here’s a look at our favorite TV characters from sci-fi/fantasy series in 2025:

1. Kleya Marki (Andor)

Delivering a breakout performance is all the more difficult in an ensemble show, but that’s what Elizabeth Dulau did on Andor as Kleya.

Introduced as Luthen’s (Stellan Skarsgard) partner in the rebellion, season 2 understood what an intriguing character she was and took her to new heights. Her mission to remove a hidden listening device, literally bleeding for the rebellion when her key gets stuck, is as suspenseful as Andor gets.

The series’ last arc puts Kleya into a bigger role than ever, all while finally revealing her backstory as a war orphan and elevating her previous scenes with new context for her rebellion.

2. Carol Sturka (Pluribus)

After creating Walter White and Jimmy McGill, Vince Gilligan said he wanted to write a hero — and his answer is Carol, the frustrated romance author turned the last hope of the human race.

Pluribus explores age-old science-fiction allegories about the value of free will versus of peace, and Carol sits on the former side of that.

In light of Gilligan’s comments about heroes, Carol’s a reminder that good and polite aren’t always the same thing; she’s up against a smiling hive mind, but as irritable as she gets, she’s the one person left on Earth who recognizes a world gone mad.

3. Nynaeve al’Meara (The Wheel of Time)

The Wheel of Time Season 3 ushers in pivotal moments of growth for Nynaeve al’Meara as she works through her block to channel the One Power. Her struggles are profoundly relatable. How often have we, as humans, allowed fear to prevent us from tapping into our potential?

Nynaeve’s assertiveness, kindness, and unwavering loyalty make her a force of nature, and when she finally breaks that block on The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 8, “He Who Comes with the Dawn,” the sky truly becomes the limit for her.

4. Miss Huang (Severance)

Miss Huang adds an additional layer of mystery to the already mysterious hit series.

Her Bock walks an interesting tightrope between falling in line with the Lumon atmosphere and the innocence of a young girl. She masterfully stands out amid this cast filled with heavyweights and carves her own niche within the ensemble.

5. Emma Meyer (Gen V)

Emma’s radicalization remains a standout arc of Gen V Season 2.

This character could easily be relegated to merely comedic relief, but Emma continues to evolve into something far more interesting. She combats her own perception of herself, trying to heal in the face of so much tragedy and pain, all while attempting to dismantle a system that actively perpetuated the harm she faced.

It’s a remarkable journey of coming back to oneself more resilient than ever.

6. Will Byers (Stranger Things)

Will Byers is no stranger to the Upside Down and all the danger being there (and escaping it) brings.

On Stranger Things Season 5, when he learns that Holly has been taken by Vecna, Will doesn’t hesitate to put himself at risk in order to get some clues as to where she might be. It would have been easy to listen to his mom and stay inside where it is safe, but Will won’t stand by and let the Upside Down hurt any more kids.

7. Billy Pace (Paradise)

Paradise‘s story relies on its jaw-dropping reveals of the world within the show, and one of the most tragic twists was the loss of the extraordinarily endearing Agent Billy Pace.

While Billy was at first a suspect, like everyone else, in the death of President Bradford, he quickly proved himself to be a true friend to Xavier and his family, cultivating a wonderful relationship with Xavier’s children. Billy’s humor and heart made him one of the highlights of the show, and made his loss sting so much more.

The fact that his last act was to protect his friend and his new family only cements his status as a truly brave and loyal friend, despite his past as an assassin. The moral dilemmas he faces and his ultimate sacrifice made Billy one of the best characters in Paradise.

8. Captain Marie Batel (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)

Captain Marie Batel goes through the wringer on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3.

After becoming infected with Gorn eggs in the Season 2 finale, Batel grapples with the crushing fear of the unknown as the Enterprise crew works tirelessly to save her. Once she’s on the other side of her medical crisis, though, Batel finds purpose in the unexpected: she transforms into the Beholder, a perpetual guard of the Vezda prison.

Batel spent her life serving others, and per her selfless nature, she gives Captain Pike the gift of a lifetime together before sacrificing herself to become a staunch defender of the universe.

9. Nancy Wheeler (Stranger Things)

Nancy Wheeler has had quite the hero arc on Stranger Things.

As she steps deeper into the Upside Down, the show has explored her trauma after losing Barb, her dedication to the truth through her journalism, and the love she has for her family and friends through all of that and more.

Understandably, plenty are interested in who (Team Jonathan or Team Steve?) she will end up with when all is said and done. But after five seasons and a decade, Nancy Wheeler will end her journey on Stranger Things as a formidable character with a huge heart and a spine of steel.

10. Tyson (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Bringing in new characters for a new season of TV is always hit or miss, but Tyson doesn’t miss a step jumping into the world of Percy Jackson & the Olympians.

The Cyclops with a heart of gold brings a much-needed tenderness to the group as Percy and Annabeth navigate difficult waters (both literally and figuratively). Tyson’s gentle giant nature not only provides incredible comedic moments, but will also pull on audiences’ heartstrings as he quests to find someone to call family.

11. Agnes DeMille (Wednesday)

Agnes goes from a Wednesday super-fan to her own person on Wednesday Season 2.

It’s not an easy journey for her, but she manages to find who she is apart from everyone else’s influence. Along the way, she sticks up for her newfound friends, doing what she can to keep them and Nevermore safe, even if it means putting herself in danger.

12. Mon Mothma (Andor)

Despite only ever coming close once to an all-out battle with the Empire’s forces, Mon Mothma proved to be one of the bravest characters in a show filled with them.

Genevieve O’Reilly played Mon’s quiet strength with subtle gestures and powerful dialogue, and she made herself dear to Star Wars fans 20 years after her unfortunately deleted appearance in Revenge of the Sith.

Andor never hesitates to show the brutality of the sacrifice that the leaders of the resistance are forced to make, and Mon Mothma’s anger breaks through in her monumental speech on Andor Season 2 Episode 9, “Welcome to the Rebellion,” cementing her as one of the most pivotal leaders of the resistance that will eventually overthrow the Empire, even if it takes everything from her.

13. Robin Buckley (Stranger Things)

Robin emerges as quite a leader in the fight against Vecna on Stranger Things Season 5.

Not only does she effectively put words to action, but she also serves as an emotional safety net for the kids, especially Will. Her pep talk with Will about being himself and tapping into his own power will remain a series standout thanks to the earnestness that makes Robin such a special character.

14. Xavier Collins (Paradise)

Portrayed perfectly by Sterling K. Brown, Xavier Collins on Paradise is a secret service agent tasked with protecting the president, but that all proves to be more complicated as we learn that the world he’s living in isn’t quite what it seems.

Xavier remains loyal and committed to his family as he struggles with grief and loss, all while finding himself in a situation that forces him to make impossible choices. 

15. Claire Fraser

The world will be a far less interesting place when Claire Fraser takes her final bow on Outlander. This force of a woman has overcome time-travel, witch trials, and so many small-minded men to carve out a home for her love story with Jamie to thrive, whatever time they might find themselves in.

Once she ties that apron around her waist and sets her sights on a battlefield, there’s no stopping the doctor from delivering a heart-pounding performance time and time again. Defiant, foul-mouthed, and strong-willed, we all want to be Claire when we grow up.

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Which characters were your favorites in 2025? Let us know in the comments below. 

Contributions by: Devin Meenan, Melody McCune, Adam Patla, Maryam Ahmad, Allison Nichols, Shelby Elpers, Ashley Bissette Sumerel, and Alicia Gilstorf

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