5. Tony Soprano, The Sopranos
Who are they? Tony's a Northern New Jersey organized crime boss who is just as prone to sociopathic rages as he is crippling panic attacks. Some people lead double lives, Tony Soprano has at least a dozen.
Why do we love them? "Love" might be the wrong word for Tony Soprano. But he's definitely one of the most interesting characters to ever appear on television. Just when you think he's finally brushed off one too many mistresses, or turned his back on one too many close friends, he starts trying to be a good husband and father. Tony's a complex, conflicted character who you'll rarely agree with but always understand.
Defining moment/scene: When Tony suffocates his (adoptive) nephew Christopher after a car crash in season 6, episode 6. It's a terrifying, selfish decision on Tony's part but - by showing just how irresponsible Christopher was, and how his decisions endangered not just the family but his own infant daughter's life - you understand it. Connor Sheridan
4. Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Who are they? The Slayer, the Chosen One... she who hangs out a lot in cemeteries. Buffy is the high school girl/college student/young adult (depending on which season you’re on) who fights vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness.
Why do we love them? Buffy is a cultural ‘90s iconic, but it’s not just the status of her show which makes her a much-loved character. She’s the stereotypical ‘victim’ in every horror movie you’ve ever seen, who turns out to be a kick-ass demon fighter, balancing real life with the supernatural. She’s got the weight of the world on her shoulders, but still finds time to hang out with her friends, be bullied at school, and get her heart broken. In short, she’s every one of us as a teenager, but she gets to release her teen angst by wailing on bad guys every night.
Defining moment/scene: It’s tough to pick just one from a show which spanned several years, but nothing’s quite peek Buffy than the season 1 finale. The young Slayer overhears that she’s going to die at the hands of the Master and despite all her strength, you finally see how much of a child she really is. “I’m 16-years-old. I don’t want to die,” she tells Giles. Nothing is so vulnerable and yet powerful at the same time. Lauren O’Callaghan
Read more: 20 years of the Slayer: How Buffy defined a generation of TV and movies
3. Fox Mulder, The X-Files
Who are they? One half of the central character pairing of FBI Agents who are allowed to investigate the show’s titular X-Files - cases of the unexplained and paranormal that the bureau just want to bury
Who do we love them? It’s near-impossible to resist Fox Mulder’s infectious optimism and determination when it comes to uncovering the truth (which is out there). While thoroughly upbeat, David Duchovny downplays Mulder’s childlike enthusiasm in his own, deeply dry fashion. And while we love Mulder in his own right, it’s the way his partnership is so perfectly formed with Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully, the pair bringing out the absolute best in each other as they stand alone against earthly horrors, alien threats, and labyrinthine conspiracies. Plus, he’s a handsome chap especially during the early seasons. Few geek-teenagers from the mid-’90s will deny some form of crush on Mulder, or vicariously living through him with the prospect of a moment alone with Agent Scully…
Defining moment/scene: There are some brilliant, funny, heartwarming moments throughout Mulder’s run during the X-Files - his near death during Anasazi shocked us, his goofy character shift in Syzygy made us laugh, and his reflective turn in The Field Where I Died made us cry - but it’s the moment when he tracks down and fails to save Scully from abduction during Ascension which defines his loyal, utterly determined, and painfully emotional character. Andy Hartup
Read more: The 10 creepiest X-Files episodes
2. Omar Little, The Wire
Who are they? Omar is a bit like Robin Hood, if Robin Hood was a gay black man who held up drug dealers with a sawed-off shotgun on the streets of Baltimore.
Why do we love them? Everybody loves Omar. He's a legendary bandit with a heart of gold, a stone-cold killer with a code of honor. This man has no problem gunning down his opponents and testifying against kingpins in court, yet he makes sure not to harm innocent bystanders, never curses, and takes his grandma to church every Sunday. His thievery isn't about the money or the drugs; he gives the drugs away and burns the money if he pleases. It's about having the power to mess with people who think they run things. Michael K. Williams steals every scene he's in with his winning smile, scratchy-yet-soothing voice, and unmistakable facial scar (which is 100% real, by the way). Omar's also among the most quotable characters on an eminently quotable show, from his street-smart bits of wisdom - like "You come at the king, you best not miss" and "Money ain't got no owners, only spenders" - to hilarious one-liners like, "All in the game, yo!", "Omar don't scare", and the amazing "Oh indeed."
Defining moment/scene: So many memorable moments revolve around Omar, but it's his early stick-up scenes that'll win you over. The mere sight of Omar sauntering into view with his duster coat, bulletproof vest, and shotgun at the ready - nonchalantly whistling The Farmer in the Dell as he approaches - is enough to send the entire street into a panic, with frantic shouts of "Omar comin'! Omar comin'!" But if you're the one Omar's after, it's already too late - your stash is as good as gone. Lucas Sullivan
1. Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
Who are they? Tyrion is the dwarf brother of Jaime and Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones. One of the smartest characters in the show, he’s now Hand of the Queen to Daenerys
Why do we love them? When Game of Thrones first started Tyrion was the joker of the pack. With a smart mouth, and penchant for drinking and whoring, he was often wheeled out as a bit of comic relief, or to add smart, snappy comments to some of the show’s more serious moments. Throughout all seven seasons, Tyrion has played the underdog, providing scarce victories in a show that delights in tearing down its main characters, and punishing the strong and righteous. Everyone loves an underdog, and Tyrion is perhaps the ultimate example across all of TV. More than just being a simple stereotype, though, we learn through more 60 hours of screen time that Tyrion has more depth, strength, smarts, and honour than anyone else he shares scenes with. His defense of King’s Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater showed strength and bravery beyond his size, giving the viewer an excuse to cheer him as a hero, and Tyrion’s personal journey when he’s stripped of his Hand of the King title, accused of Joffrey’s murder, and eventually smuggled out of King’s Landing to Meereen is a humbling, gripping story that presses all kinds of emotional buttons with absolute aplomb. Peter Dinklage’s portrayal of the downtrodden - but never crushed - youngest Lannister is one of the show’s best, his world-weariness mixed with a wonderful, well-concealed glimmer of hope and optimism that makes Tyrion the Game of Thrones character easiest to love. The best character in the greatest TV show ever made? Must be why he’s our pick for #1…
Defining moment/scene: While he’s got plenty of great one-liners like, “I drink and know things”, Tyrion’s finest moment in Thrones (so far) comes during his trial for murdering King Joffrey. Realising the verdict is inevitable he unleashes a perfectly observed, delightfully skewering speech on his accusers, his family as a whole, and the people of King’s Landing who have always condemned him for his stature. Goosebumps. Andy Hartup
