10 Best TV Heroes of the 21st Century

There is a lot of competition for the most handsome hero of television with the 21st century alone, which has already produced some iconic hero characters. The 21st century has ushered in a new era of television that some have claimed is the golden age of the medium. shows how The Sopranos And Breaking bad They were more willing to take risks with their story and the characters they featured. This gave rise to a set of television protagonists who could be considered villains. But as compelling as the characters are, there are plenty of fans who still want to cheer for the good guys.

The best TV heroes of the last couple of decades have delivered the kind of inspiring characters that can save the day, but a lot of them also exemplify the new era of television with flaws that make them all the more relatable and interesting. Some were grounded and realistic as they dealt with the struggles of the real world. Others exist in fantasy worlds where the dangers they face are on a grand scale. however, Each of these letters has an impact On the landscape of modern television thanks to their effective heroism.

10

John Luther – Luther (2010-2019)

Played by Idris Elba

Although Idris Elba found his breakout role in The ruler As a villain, he became a star thanks to his heroic turn 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 walks a fine line between hero and villain.

He is willing to work outside the law and break rules, but he always has the best intentions. He cares about those close to him and wants to help, even though he can get in his own way. With the series beginning with Luther allowing an assassin to fall to his death, it certainly suggests that the character may not be the hero of the story.

however, Luther proves many times that he is ready to put himself in danger to save lives. He even has compassion for some of the people he is hunting, going unarmed to meet a cop killer with the hopes of convincing the young man that he is being manipulated. His recklessness can be frustrating at times, but his determination saves lives. He is a character audiences still love to follow as the 2023 Netflix Luther Movie became one of the streamer’s biggest hits.

9

June Osborne – The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present)

Played by Elisabeth Moss

Based on the iconic novel by Margaret Atwood, The maid’s story is a chilling dystopian story about a future where women are forced into slavery to produce children for wealthy men in power. June Osborne is one of those women who had everything taken from her and was forced into this life as a slave.

Her journey throughout the series is harrowing and disturbing, with June being subjected to unimaginable abuse. however, She is a beacon of strength in this dark world. The show offers a grounded and nuanced look at a hero. For many The maid’s storyJune is in no position to fight back. She is scared, traumatized and heartbroken.

However, the show never depicts these as weaknesses, but rather they give context to the bravery June has to muster in herself to keep moving forward. At first, June’s actions are subtle moves to regain some of her power, such as refusing to participate in the stunning of a fellow handmaiden. however, In the course of the series, she starts a rebellion And fights back, proving himself the last survivor.

8

Coach Taylor – Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Played by Kyle Chandler

While Coach Taylor does not fight evil or take on villains, he is a grounded hero who shows the power of being a positive influence on young people and a loving family man. The sports drama Friday Night Lights Takes place in a small Texas 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 city, 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, cannot lose“, becomes the theme of the whole series, that winning is not everything as long as you take the right steps to get there.

The end of Friday Night Lights Features a particularly touching moment where Taylor takes a moment to tell a player who doesn’t have a father in his life that he’s proud of him. Taylor is the kind of person who understands what that can mean for a young man like that, while he truly feels the pride for his athlete who has dedicated himself to the team and to being a better person.

7

Angela Abar – Watchmen (2019)

Played by Regina King

HBO’s limited series Guard is a follow-up to Alan Moore’s groundbreaking graphic novel. While some of the famous characters from the story return, there are also some great new characters, including Angela Abar. Existing in a world where costumed vigilantes have become outlaws, Angela works as a police officer while hiding her own identity as the masked sister Midnight. While the show is set in an alternate universe, Angela makes a hero perfectly suited for the 21st century.

Although she is a dedicated police officer with a strong sense of justice, when she senses corruption within her ranks and even among those she considers friends, she shows no fear of working to take it apart. The show becomes a timely exploration of how the powerful wielded their power. Although 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 (2001-2010)

Played by Kiefer Sutherland

24 Came on the screen with the inventive premise that each episode of the action thriller depicts one real-time hour in a day in which the heroic Jack Bauer must save the day. in this sense, Jack is perhaps the TV hero who has been through the most during the series. The first season of the show deals with Jack having his teenage daughter kidnapped while trying to prevent an attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, showing the kind of hectic days he would have for the next nine seasons.

The relentless and determined government agent puts his life on the line day after day, saving the world from one threat to another. He sacrifices so much in order to save the world, seeing his wife and many friends killed while losing touch with his own humanity at various points.

His drive can sometimes push him to do terrible things, including torturing many people, but he would sacrifice himself without thinking if it meant he saved lives. In one standout scene, Jack voluntarily flies a nuclear weapon into the desert to ensure it won’t hurt anyone, knowing it will kill him. Even more of a victim, he allows himself to be painted as a villain by his country, as long as he can save it in the end.

5

Din Djarin – The Mandalorian (2019-present)

Played by Pedro Pascal

While the Star Wars TV universe was a bit hit-or-miss, The Mandalorian is the clear winner of the bunch, and a lot of that is thanks to its epic hero, Dean Djarin, aka Mando. From the first episode, Mando is introduced as an intergalactic gunslinger and bounty hunter who keeps to himself and shows little compassion for those he hunts. However, his tough exterior shows some cracks at the end of the first episode as he refuses to complete a task and saves Grogu.

While Mando can hardly be blamed for having a soft spot for the adorable alien, this is just the first of many good deeds he will do across the galaxy. Mando takes a lot of cues from old western heroesAlways travel around from one place to the next, helping out the occasional stranger.

This includes transporting a family of aliens to safety, training a village of oppressed people how to fight back, and always seeking to keep Grogu safe above all else. He became one of television’s most beloved and heroic father figures And his fatherly adventures will soon make the transition from the small screen to the big screen in the upcoming movie The Mandalorian & Grogu.

4

Jack Shepard – Lost (2004-2010)

Played by Matthew Fox

It’s interesting to think that Jack Shepard was originally supposed to die in the pilot episode of Lost. It would certainly have been a much different show, as his heroic journey became deeply central to the entire story. As soon as he is introduced, Jack takes on the leadership role and does everything he can to save the people he is stranded with.

He is an insecure and intelligent man who is proven to lead this group of survivors through various threats. While the island the survivors find themselves on is filled with one strange mystery after another, Jack is often the voice of reason, keeping the focus on survival as a community.

He is a man of compassion, and even as a doctor he is broken when he feels he has failed someone, such as the tragic death of Boone in season 1. It is fitting that the finale of Lost Ends (at least in one timeline) with Jack dying alone in the jungle as he watches his friends flee the island on a plane. In the end, it’s a sacrifice he’s happy to make.

3

Raylan Givens – Justified (2010-2015)

Played by Timothy Olyphant

Raylan Givens is an American marshal who feels like an old west cowboy who 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 TV history. Raylan is an expert, quick-witted lawman who never flinches in the face of the bad guys.

He always has a smart remark and one liner ready to throw at his opponents along with some bullets. Raylan’s heroism may not seem as big and selfless as some of the other TV heroes of the 21st century, but there’s a smoothness and fun to how he saves the day that makes him such a fun character to cheer for. . Raylan is the kind of hero who doesn’t break a sweat and seems to enjoy being in a standoff more than anything else.

Although he and childhood friend Boyd Crowder are often enemies throughout the series, their strange bond shows the respect Raylan has for people, even if they are on opposing sides of the law. Audiences couldn’t get enough of the cowboy swagger Raylan brought to the show. Many of the same fans are thrilled to see the character return and find themselves in another intense showdown in the sequel series Court: City Primeval.

2

Jon Snow – Game of Thrones

Played by Kit Harrington

The world of Westeros was filled with plenty of heroes, villains, and everyone in between. However, as the show went on, it became clear that one character was positioned as the main hero of the entire story. Jon Snow has had a fascinating arc throughout the seriesmaking him a more central figure in the story. As the bastard son of Ned Stark, Jon began the story searching for his place in the world but soon found himself becoming a warrior, leader and brother in the Night’s Watch.

Although it was eventually revealed that Jon was not actually Ned Stark’s son, he inherited Lord Stark’s sense of honor, duty and justice. He was always looking for the best of the world.Whether it’s rescuing Ghost the direwolf as a pup or sticking up for Samwell Tarly. Jon Snow grew up as a hero, taking part in some of the biggest moments in the show and participating in more battles than any other character in the series.

He killed a White Walker, flew a dragon and even came back from the dead. The last season of Game of Thrones was seen as a misstep by many fans, and there was a lot of criticism about how Jon’s arc in the final episodes was particularly lackluster. However, Jon Snow is still iconic, and he almost became the only one Game of Thrones character to get his own spinoff series.

1

Eleven – Stranger Things (2016-Present)

Played by Millie Bobby Brown

The fact that The best TV hero of the 21st century is a child is a testament to how epic of a character Eleven is in Stranger things. From the first episode of the series, it is clear that Elf is no ordinary little girl and her superpowers make her a formidable weapon on the side of the heroes when they take on the evil lurking in the back.

However, Elf’s true bravery lies not in her powers but in Her bravery and strength in friendship. After a traumatic upbringing under the teachings of Dr. Brennan, Elf is overwhelmed with the kindness and warmth she receives from Mike and his friends. In welcoming her into their inner circle, Elf sees them as friends she will protect at all costs.

The first season of Stranger things Ends with a display of that friendship as Elf uses her powers to sacrifice herself to save her friends. Each season has Eleven struggling with the burden of her powers and the desire to be a normal child. Eleven is sure to cement her status as one of the greatest TV heroes of all time when she has her final showdown with Vecna ​​in Stranger things Season 5.