Entertainment
The Best TV Shows of 2025: These Are the Top Series of the Year
15. Butters Stotch from South Park
Butters Stotch first appeared in season two as South Park's most innocent and good-natured resident. His wide-eyed naivety made him a perfect foil for Eric Cartman and an endless resource for hilarious, bizarre predicaments. Whether he's the butt of the joke or donning his "Professor Chaos" alter-ego, Butters remains one of the show's most lovable and signature characters. | © Paramount+
14. Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones
Brienne of Tarth was a brilliant subversion of the honorable knight, often serving as the only glimmer of true integrity in a world of corruption. Her unwavering loyalty and deeply embedded moral code made her far more than just a trope. Through her complex bond with Jaime Lannister, she became one of the show's most fully realized and beloved characters. | © HBO
13. Max Mayfield from Stranger Things
Max Mayfield instantly shook up the party's dynamic when she arrived in season two, bringing a sharp, rebellious edge. But her character truly hit its stride in season four, where she was given a deeply moving and personal storyline centered on loss. It was Sadie Sink's powerful performance that ultimately cemented Max as one of the show's most essential and impactful later additions. | © Netflix
12. Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation
Ben Wyatt arrived in the season two finale as a stern auditor, but he quickly revealed a heart of gold with his support for Leslie's children's concert. He soon evolved from a temporary antagonist into Leslie's perfect romantic partner and a beloved series regular. His journey from a disillusioned bureaucrat to a supportive husband was a cornerstone of the show's heart and humor. | © NBC
11. Ralph Cifaretto from The Sopranos
Ralph Cifaretto stormed into the DiMeo crime family in season three as one of its best earners and most volatile members. His big mouth and shocking, violent outbursts created a constant, unpredictable tension that electrified every scene he was in. While his jarring personality inevitably led to his downfall, it was precisely that chaos that helped elevate the show to its legendary status. | © HBO
10. Soldier Boy from The Boys
Soldier Boy's explosive entrance in season three pushed the show's brutal satire to a new extreme. As a toxic, old-school precursor to Homelander, he became a walking embodiment of everything wrong with Vought's history and toxic hero worship. Jensen Ackles made him a brilliantly chaotic force, and in just one season, this relic managed to redefine the entire dynamic of The Seven. | © Amazon Studios
9. Ben Linus from Lost
Ben Linus first appeared to be just another survivor, but his reveal as the manipulative leader of the Others shifted Lost from a survival mystery to a gripping psychological battle. Michael Emerson's chilling performance made Ben a fascinating strategist, whose lies and emotional complexity explored the island's true moral chaos. He became the show's most compelling mystery, a man whose schemes were central to its most iconic seasons. | © ABC
8. Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer
It's hard to picture Buffy the Vampire Slayer without Spike, but the bleach-blonde vampire didn't swagger into town until season two. He immediately became the perfect foil for Buffy, starting as a punk-rock villain before his charisma and evolving moral compass made him a fan favorite. His journey from antagonist to reluctant hero became one of the show's most compelling arcs, ultimately defining its legacy. | © 20th Television
7. Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender
When Toph Beifong joined the group in season two, her fierce independence and sarcastic humor immediately completed Team Avatar's dynamic. As a blind earthbending prodigy, she introduced a new kind of strength and even revolutionized the show's lore by inventing metalbending. Her presence felt instantly essential, elevating an already masterful series with her grit and groundbreaking abilities. | © Nickelodeon
6. Frank from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
The show was already a cult hit, but Danny DeVito's arrival as Frank Reynolds in season two launched It's Always Sunny into a new stratosphere of glorious chaos. His total lack of vanity and commitment to grotesque antics gave the gang a depraved father figure who enabled their worst impulses. Frank didn't just fit in with the gang; he became its chaotic, essential heart, making the show unthinkable without him. | © FX
5. Klaus from The Vampire Diaries
When Klaus Mikaelson first arrived in The Vampire Diaries, he was the most feared and ancient villain the show had ever seen. This original hybrid was a master of manipulation and cruelty, yet his complex history with his family gave him a surprising depth. He immediately elevated the show's stakes, becoming an iconic antagonist whose presence reshaped the entire series. | © Warner Bros. Television
4. Andy from The Office
Andy Bernard stormed into Dunder Mifflin in season three, and his obnoxious confidence and a cappella outbursts immediately shook up the office's dynamic. Ed Helms' portrayal made him hilariously awkward yet deeply human, as his desperate need for approval fueled fresh storylines for years. Andy's journey from a volatile salesman to manager proved that a late arrival could become essential to the show's enduring charm. | © NBC
3. Castiel from Supernatural
Arriving in season four, Castiel fundamentally changed the game for Supernatural. He shifted the entire show from grounded monster hunts to an epic celestial war. His unique blend of quiet power and social awkwardness made him an instant fan favorite and a crucial part of the Winchesters' story. | © Warner Bros. Television
2. Negan from The Walking Dead
Negan's entrance in the season six finale instantly redefined the show with a new level of brutal, charismatic terror. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's magnetic performance made the bat-wielding villain impossible to look away from, blending swagger and dark humor with his twisted ethics. He quickly became the series' dark heart, proving the most dangerous monster in the zombie apocalypse was always human. | © AMC
1. Saul Goodman In Breaking Bad
It's difficult to imagine Breaking Bad without the fast-talking lawyer Saul Goodman, who finally brought some dark comedy into Walter White's bleak world in season two. Bob Odenkirk's performance slowly revealed the man beneath the slick confidence, adding surprising moral complexity and pathos to the show. Saul didn't just provide laughs; his character fundamentally expanded the series' entire moral universe and paved the way for an iconic prequel. | © AMC
