10 Best Television Heroes Of The 21st Century

The 21st century ushered in a new era of television that some have claimed is the golden age of the medium. Shows like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad were more willing to take risks with their storytelling and the characters they featured. This led to a trend of television protagonists that could be considered villains.

However, while these morally grey characters were interesting, there was still room for the kinds of heroes that audiences could cheer on and be inspired by. Some were grounded and realistic while others were classic aspirational heroes of genre stories, but all of them made a huge impact.

10 John Luther – Luther

Though Idris Elba found his breakout role in The Wire as a villain, he became a star thanks to his role in Luther. The British crime series followed the titular detective who is brilliant at investigating twisted murder cases as well as getting himself into trouble.

Luther is one of those characters who walk a fine line between hero and villain. He is willing to work outside the law and break rules, but he always has the best of intentions. He cares about those close to him and wants to help, even though he can get in his own way.

9 June Osbourne – The Handmaid’s Tale

Based on the book by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is a chilling dystopian story about a future where women are forced into servitude to produce children for rich men in power. June Osborne is one of these women who had everything taken from her and forced into this life as a slave.

The show can be extremely difficult to watch given what June goes through, but her strength to fight back and challenge the new world order provides hope to the viewers. She can be afraid and heartbroken at times, but she is always a survivor.

8 Coach Taylor – Friday Night Lights

The sports drama Friday Night Lights takes place in a small Texan town where life revolves around high school football. As the young players deal with the immense pressure of their position, Coach Taylor provides a strong and caring figure for them to follow.

Taylor himself is faced with a lot of expectations from the town, but he always puts the well-being of his players first. He is tough and driven, but he is also understanding. His battle cry of “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose,” becomes the theme of the entire series.

7 Angela Abar – Watchmen

HBO’s limited series Watchmen is a follow up to Alan Moore’s groundbreaking graphic novel. While some of the famous characters from that story return, there are also some great new characters, including Angela Abar.

The show becomes a timely exploration of how the powerful wield their power. Though Angela is outmatched by some of the other characters in the show, she is an example of how power in the hands of a good person can save the world.

6 Jack Bauer – 24

It feels like a long time ago that 24 was one of the most exciting shows on television. In the years since, it has come to feel a bit over-the-top and messy in terms of its politics. However, there is no denying that Jack Bauer became an icon of television.

The relentless and determined government agent puts his life on the line day after day, saving the world from one threat to another. The show’s structure of following Jack through the entire day makes the audience feel like they are on this intense journey with him and feeling his struggle.

5 Din Djarin – The Mandalorian

With only two seasons under his belt, it might seem a bit premature to put Din Djarin on this list, but he has certainly made a big impression. Though The Mandalorian has featured some exciting guest stars, this masked protagonist is still very much the star of the show.

Din takes a lot of cue from old Western heroes, always traveling around from one place to the next, helping out the occasional stranger. He is a badass who can handle himself against any enemy, but he also has a soft spot for those in need.

4 Jack Shepard – Lost

It’s interesting to think that Jack Shepard was originally supposed to die in the pilot episode of Lost. That certainly would have been a much different show as his heroic journey is very much at the center of the entire show.

As soon as he is introduced, Jack takes on that leadership role and does everything he can to save the people he is stranded with. He is a selfless and intelligent man who is able to guide this group of survivors through various threats.

3 Raylan Givens – Justified

Raylan Givens is a U.S. Marshal who feels like an Old West cowboy stepped right into the 21st century. He is another hero who bends the rules as he sees fit and can be frustratingly arrogant at times, but he is also one of the coolest characters in television history.

Raylan is an expert quick-draw lawman who never flinches in the face of the bad guys. He always has a clever remark and one-liner ready to throw at his adversaries along with some bullets. He is a laidback badass who makes saving the day look so smooth.

2 Jon Snow – Game Of Thrones

The world of Westeros was filled with plenty of heroes and villains as well as people somewhere in between. But as the show went on, it became clear that one character was being positioned as the main hero of the entire story.

Jon Snow had an interesting story that evolved throughout the series, making him a more central figure in this story. He was in the middle of some of the biggest and most spectacular moments in the series. He also represented the idea of a hero who can be honorable to a fault. Were it not for the show completely botching his final season, he could have taken the top spot on this list.

1 Eleven – Stranger Things

It might seem surprising that a little girl became the biggest hero on television, but that is part of what makes Eleven so interesting. She is introduced shrouded in mystery and possessing incredible powers.

The audience gets to see Eleven grow up, learn more about the world, her own past, and the dangers of her powers. She is a badass who fights back against evil, but also a child who is sympathetic and carrying a burden that is too much for her. She is a very easy character to cheer on.

About The Author

Colin McCormick
(2033 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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