At its core, characters can make or break a TV show. They’re the ones who are telling us the story on screen, therefore the ones we need to get attached to. So just in case you don’t know where to find characters to obsess about, we’re here to recap who have made us cry, cheer, and feel every emotion possible. These men have tugged at our hearts and made us love the fictional worlds they exist in.
Our list of favorite male TV characters of 2025 includes ordinary men turned into heroic figures, detectives and spies who defend cities from danger, along with teenagers tasked with saving the world. Let’s do this, shall we?
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Cassian Andor, Andor
Cassian Andor of Andor has to be high on our list. Simply because of how much we enjoyed getting to learn more about such an important character in the Star Wars franchise. He was the spark others needed to start believing a fight against the Empire could be possible. He had already lost so much in life when watching his partner Bix leave him so he wouldn’t have any personal relationships holding him back.
Sacrifice is hard and not many can let go of what matters most to them. Not many people can risk their lives to fight for a better future for everyone, not just themselves. And Cassian gave the rebellion his all as one of its first pioneers.
Lucas Sinclair, Stranger Things
The fifth and last season of Stranger Things has just begun, and Lucas Sinclair has always been one of our favorite characters. He has grown into a young man who would do anything to protect those he cares about. Even risking his life for children he’s never met before in Season 5 Episode 4 ‘The Sorcerer’.
We’ve seen him stand up to Dustin’s bullies at school. He was also the one who stayed with Mike and Nancy after their parents’ attack by Demogorgons. Lucas is always there and ready to support his friends when they need him. While unsure if his girlfriend Max can hear him in a coma, Lucas also talks to her, so she knows she’s never alone.
He’s the backbone and grounding force for everyone around him, and we love him.
Conrad Fisher, The Summer I Turned Pretty
Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty had us obsessed with Conrad Fisher. He was never perfect, but he showed a lot of growth in the last season. He was going to therapy, studying to become a doctor, wearing the best outfits, and pining after his ex-girlfriend Belly who was engaged to his brother. Previously, he was someone who would put someone else’s feelings above his own. Always hiding in the shadows to let his brother shine even if he was left alone.
When he stopped putting himself second, Conrad was outspoken, brutally honest about how badly his brother treated him, and unapologetic about his undying love for Belly. He got Belly’s mom to talk to her again, baked her favorite muffins for her birthday, and helped plan her wedding to a man that wasn’t him. As a result, he turned into the ideal man that we, along with social media, squealed for because he was caring for Belly without her asking.
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Joel Miller, The Last of Us
We went into watching the second season of The Last of Us knowing Joel Miller’s fate as people who played the video games. And yet that didn’t stop us from falling in love with him. While flawed and often cold in demeanor, Joel had his reasons to be after the loss of his daughter. He had lost the light of his life in such a horrific way. And now had to survive in a dark world alone. It was only after meeting a young girl named Ellie twenty years into the apocalypse when he found purpose again.
As his hard edges began to soften, we saw Joel and Ellie’s paternal relationship grow. He had someone to protect like a daughter, and Ellie had someone to trust. At his end, Joel was okay with dying if it meant Ellie’s captors didn’t get her instead. Like others on this list, Joel has no problem putting himself last if it means protecting someone they love.
Matt Murdock, Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again was the only super-hero show that made an impact this year and there’s one reason why. It’s because Marvel fans missed Matt Murdock on their screens. Admittedly, we also missed his cleverness, smarts, and how he takes down the bad guys. And it was nice to see him back on television after a few years of absence.
The first season was a devastating cat and mouse game that had consequences for Matt. Through losing his best friend Foggy and struggling to re-friend Karen, his determination for fighting justice had wavered. What followed was Matt being ruthless and struggling to be a hero with morals. He was hurting and grieving his best friend while trying to keep his city safe. In short, seeing this new side to Matt was something that stuck with us to put him on this list.
Percy Jackson, Percy Jackson and The Olympians
He may be the youngest on our list, but Percy’s grit and relentless to do what’s right is what we love about him. Although Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians has just begun, we’ve loved the book series for years. Percy has had to grow up without normal childhood. He may be a child, but he’s growing into a leader. He’s only thirteen years old fighting monsters, completing quests, and confronting the most powerful mythological Gods with ease.
Nobody can stop him from defying the rules to find his missing best friend Grover. Even if it means fighting with other friends, crossing seas, or facing danger along the way. Percy is protective over those he cares about, slightly stubborn, and extremely loyal. We adore his awkward quirks and attitude as well because he doesn’t let others talk down to him. Thankfully, we won’t have to say goodbye to him anytime soon.
Peter Sutherland, The Night Agent
Peter from Netflix’s The Night Agent is always risking his life, jumping out of buildings, and fighting terrorists in combat. Under his tough exterior, he has a big heart that he had to ignore more often than not in Season 2. Especially when it came to Rose. While understandable that he felt like he had to push people away, it still hurt us. Because we care about his wellbeing. He’ll always put his missions and job first and try his absolute hardest to save as many lives as he can.
But he’s changed into someone meticulous and calculated. And we can’t blame him for the decisions he made, because he thinks being alone is what’s right. Even if we’ll miss him and Rose dearly. We love it when Peter allows himself to feel and care for others, so we hope to get more of his vulnerability. Which is why we’re excited to see what happens next for him.
Adam Karadec, High Potential
High Potential is one of the best procedurals on television right now, and we love every character in the show. However, Karadec deserves a spot here for how he’s grown as a friend, partner, and person. Throughout Season 2, he was brave to stand up for others without thinking of consequences. Morgan felt safe confiding in and asking him for advice about her kids. Not only would he confront Gio on behalf of Morgan to keep her safe, but he’d risk his life to save his other teammate Oz from a dangerous killer.
It took meeting Morgan for Karadec to break out of his withdrawn sometimes cold shell. Now, Karadec is always there if Morgan needs to talk to him, even if it’s at two in the morning. Similarly, if she asks him what was wrong with him then he’d answer truthfully. He’s changed for the better and we can’t wait to see more of him.
Xavier Collins, Paradise
Season 1 of Paradise gave us Xavier Collins and we’re thankful to have met his character this year. In comparison to others on this list, he’s someone who is relentless for the truth. He doesn’t try and hide from those he’s investigating. As a matter of fact, Xavier embraces the thrill as someone who works under the President. If there’s survivors above ground, he’s going to do what’s necessary to dismantle secrets of those corrupted and powerful.
In spite of how dangerous his quest for answers is, Xavier is not someone to mess with. He’s a man who knows when to be calm and collected, and when to get aggressive for answers. Overall, Xavier is a character we cannot wait to see more of in Season 2. He’s someone we’ll always root for to be the hero.
Eddie Diaz, 9-1-1
RYAN GUZMAN
It’s time to shine a light on Eddie Diaz from Season 9 of 9-1-1 because he deserves a round of applause for how strong he is. And we’re talking about his growth in being vulnerable and expressive with his emotions. He’s made a few missteps in how he expresses his grief over losing Bobby, but we can’t fault him for that. He wasn’t there with his team when their captain died and that’s stuck with him. But he’s now learning to be more mindful and open to healing.
Upon returning home to Los Angeles after reconciling with his son, Eddie has been reminded of what matters most. His family and his friends. With the loss of his Abuela, he’s now lost two people who were safe spaces for him to confide in, and Eddie is still pushing forward trying to be happy. And we’re rooting for him to find his joys in life.
Shane Hollander, Heated Rivalry
The thing about Shane in Heated Rivalry is that he’s good. He’s kind. He’s loving. And yet, he’s also hiding. He’s scared. He doesn’t know how to be all the things he can be, all the things he wants to be, out loud. And that part is so relatable. So many of us have felt like we’ve had to hide parts of ourselves, be it our sexualities, or other things that make us who we are, to fit in.
But Shane is also brave. Because despite all of these things, he is still himself. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing of all to be. And sometime soon, Shane will find a way to reach for what he wants. We can’t wait to watch this part of his journey.
Student doctor Whitaker, The Pitt
With The Pitt, basically every single character is a favorite. That’s usually a good thing, but when it comes to making an end-of-year list…ouch. For most viewers, Dr. Robby probably edges out all our other favorite male characters on the show to take the role of, basically, the fave of the faves. But the more we think about it, the more student doctor Whitaker, the surprise of the season, earns a special place in our hearts.
Yes, he was often the comic relief — all those scrub changes! The rat! — but he also lost a patient very early on his first day and managed to keep going, even through that horrific mass casualty event. And then, there were the touching moments when he showed just how much he cared about helping people, whether they were “the Kraken” or his boss (Robby), and just how much potential he has.
The future is bright for Whitaker, both as a doctor and on a purely human level. We can’t wait to see what he does in Season 2.
