18 Favorite Characters from TV Comedies in 2025

Looking back at the television landscape over the last twelve months, it’s clear we didn’t just want punchlines; we wanted catharsis. This was the year TV comedies stopped playing it safe and started getting screwy and fun again.

The most memorable characters we found on TV comedies this year came from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. But they all had one thing in common: they were relatable and able to make us laugh during a time when we’d probably otherwise be crying.

Whether they are private investigators, Hollywood executives, superheroes, teachers, or doctors, these characters leave no stone unturned. Without further ado, here are our 18 Favorite Characters from TV Comedies in 2025.

1. Charles Nieuwendyk (A Man on the Inside)

Charles from A Man on the Inside is the kind of character who feels like a warm hug. Even though he is working as a Private Investigator, he means no harm to anyone and will always choose to do what’s right.

He comes from a place of pure love, which makes him a remarkably unique character. Ted Danson knows exactly how to play with comedic timing, which allows him to highlight the chemistry he shares with everyone involved in the series.

2. Deborah Vance (Hacks)

Deborah Vance from Hacks remains one of the most flawed and captivating characters we have seen.

Her character development has been memorable, leading her to change from a selfish boss to someone who gives up her dream to protect those she loves. Jean Smart’s performance continues to be award-winning because her portrayal of Deborah is absolutely perfect.

3. Hailee Matthews (Overcompensating)

Holmes takes the wild child archetype and crafts Hailee into someone infinitely more interesting. On top of iconic one-liners and impeccable physical comedy, Holmes crafts Hailee as a fiercely loyal friend who wears her sincerity on her sleeve.

She also doesn’t mince words about her academic prowess, even though past media would have you believe a character like this couldn’t possibly be academically inclined. Hailee Matthews is a triumphant arrival for a comedic voice on the rise.

4. Jacob Hill (Abbott Elementary)

Chris Perfetti is a bit of an unsung hero on Abbott Elementary. With each passing season, Jacob gets more time to shine and, with that, deliver incredible comedic moments.

His unexpected karaoke performance in Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 17, “Karaoke,” alone will go down as one of the funniest TV moments of the year. Perfetti masterfully maximizes Jacob’s inability to read the room while never sacrificing his heart and passion for the students of Abbott.

5. Nicholas (Loot)

While Molly may be the main character of the series, Nicholas gets the chance to really shine during this season of Loot.

He finally gets a complete story arc outside his life at the Wells Foundation, and it’s exciting to watch him grow as a character. Also, seeing more of his life before Molly and his backstory makes his friendship with Molly even more rewarding to watch.

6. Dennis Reynolds (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

Two decades on, and the Golden God continues to prove why he’s a comedic legend. Like the rest of the Paddy’s Pub gang on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dennis Reynolds is on a path of retrogression, and in Season 17, it only gets worse.

Dennis’s speech in the penultimate episode is equal parts harrowing, disconcerting, and hilarious. If Glenn Howerton doesn’t snag an Emmy nod for that scene alone, is there any justice in the sitcom world?

7. Melissa Schemmenti (Abbott Elementary)

From the very beginning of the series, Melissa Schemmenti has been the kind of character people respond to for being tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Her dedication to the school and the children continues to stand out. Now that she’s moved on to an upper level, we get to see a different side of her.

Instead of letting the kids get the best of her, she finds creative ways to connect with them and teach them in a way they will respect. While Lisa Ann Walter may not have received the award nominations other castmates have, she stands tall next to them, delivering the same high-quality comedy.

8. Matt (St. Denis Medical)

Matt began St. Denis Medical as a bumbling fish out of water who falls hard for his fellow nurse Serena (Kahyun Kim). His upbringing on his religious homestead comically clashes with his current reality working as a nurse.

But Mekki Leeper allows Matt to be more than comic relief; he plays him with a wide-eyed earnestness that allows his heart of gold to shine through. That heart of gold completes a fun will-they-won’t-they between him and Serena that, if it continues on its current trajectory, could be up there with some of the best TV couples of our time.

9. The Dar Brothers (Deli Boys)

This season’s odd-couple flips the crime world on its head. Neither Mir nor Raj is built for the high-stakes world built around them in Deli Boys. Raj’s go with the flow vibe is the perfect foil to Mir’s try-hard, manic energy as the two fail forward in their father’s criminal enterprise.

Saagar Shaikh and Asif Ali are a match made in heaven, with each knowing when to take the reins on the joke and knowing when to step aside as the straight man for the other to shine. Their collaboration feels cosmic.

10. Elsbeth Tascioni (Elsbeth)

Carrying the weight of the show’s comedy material on her shoulders, Elsbeth continues to redefine the police/law procedural with her breezy presence and ray of sunshine attitude. She makes the worst acts of humanity seem entertaining, even lighthearted at times, with her vibrant, whip-smart point of view and army of tote bags.

Elsbeth’s unwavering kindness and dependability are the perfect escape from the darker tones of greed and violence that consume our news cycles. We all feel a little bit better when we know Elsbeth is on the case.

11. Trevor Lefkowitz (Ghosts)

Once the pants-less finance bro with a passion for yacht ragers and drug drawers, Trevor has transcended his frat boy archetype to become one of the most vulnerable and compelling characters in Ghosts’ roster. His inspiring quest to become more present in his daughter’s life despite being dead and laughably unfit for parenthood has taken his pursuit for community to wholesome new heights.

When he’s not attempting to parent a grown woman from beyond the grave, he is locked in a delusion battle of power with Hetty. The ego-driven tension between Trevor and the Victorian temptress is so heated that their chemistry will inevitably burn Woodstone to the ground one day.

12. Janine Teagues (Abbott Elementary)

Abbott Elementary’s Janine has come a long way since the pilot. After stepping out of her comfort zone and leaving her dream job for the big leagues, our Big Teagues returned with a greater sense of self-worth.

Developing a new confidence and restraint, she leads this hit comedy with an elevated look and wisdom she once sought out so desperately from her seasoned coworkers. To see her settle into her career and embrace the most adorable romance with coworker Gregory Eddie is to know she is being rewarded for her inspiring growth.

13. Hetty Woodstone (Ghosts)

Dubbed the “Victorian Perv” of Woodstone Mansion, Hetty Woodstone proves she will never be put in a box. A once prim and proper robber baroness, she has been set free in the afterlife to manipulate, sexually harass, and judge others to her heart’s content.

She continues to cling hilariously to so many of her horrible tendencies as an upper-class snob while forging a path for a softer and kinder self to emerge when we least expect it. From Hetty’s love for the Fargo accents to her mission to defile every room in the house, this tornado of blue silk elevates every episode of Ghosts.

14. Harry Vanderspeigle (Resident Alien)

Our favorite lovable TV alien learned a lot during his time on Earth. Watching Harry Vanderspeigle’s journey on Resident Alien was just as funny as it was endearing.

The humor Alan Tudyk brought to the role made Harry one of the most unique characters on television, thanks to the perfect mix of physical comedy and impeccable timing. It was especially rewarding to see Harry learn about love, family, and friendship, with his story ending on a perfectly fitting note in the final season.

15. Ned Sampson (The Paper)

Ned Sampson from The Paper, the recent spinoff of The Office, is the perfect nod to Michael Scott while being his own unique character. The Paper isn’t trying to replicate all of the characters from the original series, but it does have similar dynamics and similar vibes.

Ned’s heart is in the right place as he tries to bring a local newspaper back to life, but with the same kind of optimism as Michael Scott and the tendency to make plenty of mistakes along the way. 

16. Vigilante/Adrian Chase (Peacemaker)

Vigilante may frequently be forgotten or ignored by Peacemaker and the rest of the team, but this loveable antihero is a fan favorite for a reason. Despite his questionable morals and love of executing bad guys, he’s a loyal friend who will always have a fun animal fact to share (even if it’s wildly incorrect).

He always brings humor and levity to the show, especially when he’s not trying to. Watching him become best friends with himself from an alternate Earth in Peacemaker Season 2 just makes sense.

17. Maya Mason (The Studio)

As the enigmatic, sassy head of marketing for Continental Studios, Maya makes any scene that she’s in have this sense of chaotic fun despite everything that’s going on. In Season 1, Maya has already made a great impression in terms of the ensemble cast.

Even though she can be a bit snarky with her own criticisms at times, she’s able to hold empathy for Matt and the rest of his gang to do what they do best. Plus, Kathryn Hahn brings such a lively energy to a down-to-earth, realist character that’s a refreshing change of pace. 

18. Cordelia Cupp (The Residence)

The eccentric detective Cordelia Cupp was one of the most unforgettable characters in TV comedy this year. Played by Uzo Aduba, Cordelia Cupp is called in to solve a murder at the White House, surprising everyone with her unconventional style, her brilliance, and her obsession with birds.

Cordelia follows her instincts wherever they lead, even when they don’t make sense to the people watching her work. It’s too bad there won’t be another season of The Residence to allow us to see her solve another whodunnit.

—

Who do you think were the best TV characters from comedy series in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!

Contributions by: Chris Gallardo, Lara Rosales, Adam Patla, Sam Huang, Melody McCune, Alicia Gilstorf, Breeze Riley, and Ashley Bissette Sumerel

Follow us on X and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!