Over the years, there are several TV shows I consider to be my favorites. In this post, I thought I would take it a bit further and list my top 5 all time favorite TV characters. I love them for different reasons, but when I’m flipping through channels and I see them on, I stop and watch.

Number 5:

Jim Rockford, The Rockford Files

The Rockford Files debuted in 1974 when I was 11 years old. I became quickly enamored with the tough talking, private detective played by James Garner, Jim Rockford. As an adult, I love thrillers and hard boiled crime noir and I can trace my love of the genre back to this show. Funny, tough and flawed, he made me want to tune in each week to catch the action.

Number 4:

Captain Kirk, Star Trek

Star Trek debuted in 1966, but like most people, I became a fan during the 70s when it was a staple Sunday morning rerun. Much like Jim Rockford, Cpt. Kirk, played by William Shatner, was a fast talking tough guy. There was never a situation he couldn’t handle. Just ask him. My imagination took flight with Star Trek and I spent many a fantasy pretending I was Jim Kirk.

 

Number 3:

Jack McCoy, Law and Order

Jack McCoy showed up on Law and Order in 1994, replacing Michael Moriarity’s Ben Stone as assistant district attorney for New York City. Played Sam Watterson, McCoy pushed boundaries, broke rules and did what ever it took to put the bad guys behind bars. He also slept with several of his junior assistants, but we can’t all be perfect. Law and Order is my favorite cop lawyer show and when you think of Law and Order, you think of Jack.

Number 2:

Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock

There was a time when I thought there would never be a better Sherlock Holmes than Jeremy Britt. Turns out I was wrong. Benedict Cumberbatch blows away all the other Sherlocks out of the water. Quirky and full of energy he plays Holmes like the sociopath he is in the books.  There is no current series which I wait with more anticipation than I do Sherlock.

Number 1:

Josh Lyman, The West Wing

I love politics, so it should come as no surprise that my all time favorite show is The West Wing. There are many wonderful characters to choose from, but I would have to choose Josh Lyman, played by Bradley Whitford, as the soul of the show. Smart, funny and often driven, he also has flaws, as any great character should possess. When the show went off the air, I went through heavy separation anxiety. Now, thanks to Netflix, I am blowing through all 7 seasons.  From his long burning love for Donna Moss, to his recovery from being shot during an assassination attempt on the president, Josh has many great moments.

Honorable mention: Casket (Richard Castle and Kate Becket from Castle) Both characters are two halves of the same coin. Love’em. And lastly, Luther from Luther. A brilliantly flawed character, as smart as Sherlock Holmes and as angry as Captain Ahab chasing his whale.