10 most inspiring TV characters who’ll change the way you see the world

Deeya
Still from Ted Lasso (Image via Apple TV)
Still from Ted Lasso (Image via Apple TV)

Some of the most inspiring TV characters come out of nowhere. Even though most of the shows on television are ignored as mere means of entertainment and not having anything deep or motivational within them, there are some shows that create some of the most inspiring TV characters that they end up motivating the viewers. Whether it is their morals or their undying belief in themselves, they are a shining example of one of the most inspiring TV characters. Therefore, here are 10 most inspiring TV characters that will change the way one sees the world.


Dana Scully, Captain Raymond Holt, and others most inspiring TV characters that change the way you view the world

1. Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation

Still from the show (Image via Parks and Recreation)
Still from the show (Image via Parks and Recreation)

This political satire and mockumentary sitcom is created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur and has one of the most inspiring TV characters in the series. The show focuses on the challenges that Leslie Knope faces as a mid-level bureaucrat in a fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Played by Amy Poehler, the character was initially a bit ditzy and viewers and critics felt that she did not have the substance that the character needs. However, major positive changes were brought about and Knope soon became a model example of how a public servant should be. She therefore is one of the most inspiring TV characters. In most of the episodes of the show, Knope is tirelessly devoted to the cause of upliftment of her community and wants to improve the lives of her fellow townspeople. Even though there is a lot of red-tapism and Knope has to go through various challenges to make her community better, she does not falter. Whether it is corrupted politicians or bureaucratic hurdles, Leslie Knope is one of the most inspiring TV characters.


2. Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Still from the show (Image via Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
Still from the show (Image via Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Played by Andre Braugher, Captain Raymond Holt is the lynchpin of the chaotic sitcom and holds everyone together under his watchful gaze. Created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, the police procedural sitcom offers a lighthearted take on New York Police Department (NYPD) detectives, who are normally seen in a stern avatar. The show focuses on a group of NYPD officers who must solve cases and deal with their personal lives while adjusting to their new commanding officer, the strict Captain Raymond Holt. Holt stands for a no-nonsense attitude and while Jake Peralta cracks jokes and clutters his desk, Holt delivers his lines with deadpan delivery and works by-the-book. However, as one of the first police officers to be openly gay, Holt is a shining example for a lot of people and offers an authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+. He is one of the most inspiring TV characters and becomes a father figure to Peralta, guides and protects his team, and has overcome a lot of prejudice to climb the ranks. He is therefore one of the most inspiring TV characters.


3. Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy

Still from the show (Image via Disney)
Still from the show (Image via Disney)

Created by Shonda Rhimes, this medical drama series focuses on the personal and professional lives of a group of interns, residents, and attendant staff at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. The show has been airing since 2005 and is one of the longest-running shows in history. The series is one of the most popular shows and is well acclaimed by critics and fans. The show’s titular character, Meredith Grey, is played by Ellen Pompeo, and is one of the most inspiring TV characters. Grey has seen a lot of ups and downs in her life and has fought hard to come out of the shadows of her past to become the hospital’s chief of general surgery. As someone who just started as an intern, Grey’s growth in terms of her career and her personal life, has been phenomenal. Grey’s character is role model for many young women who want to achieve brilliance in their fields and do right by people. Always compassionate and fighting for her patients, Grey is one of the most inspiring TV characters.


4. Dana Scully in The X Files

Still from the show (Image via The X Files)
Still from the show (Image via The X Files)

One of the most popular shows of the 90s, this science fiction and supernatural drama show was created by Chris Carter and became a pop culture phenomenon. The show revolved around two FBI special agents, Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny, and Dana Scully, played by Gillian Anderson, who investigate paranormal cases that have been sidelined by the bureau. The show was a turning point for representation of women on TV as it was one of the first few shows to represent a strong and ambitious female character in the field of science and technology. Scully was one of the most inspiring TV characters and turned the trope of women being emotional and men being rational on its head. It was Scully who was a skeptic and Mulder who was a believer. Scully’s dedicated character left such an impression that it led to the “Scully Effect”, which led to many women in real-life choosing science backgrounds for their careers. One of the most inspiring TV characters indeed.


5. Lisa Simpson in The Simpsons

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Sometimes it is not the adults, but the kids that teach us all a lesson and inspire us to be better human beings. Created by Matt Groening, this animated sitcom has been airing since 1989 and is one of the longest running animated series on television. The show has outlandish characters and situations and is a satirical depiction of the American life. The show focuses on the family of the Simpsons, which consists of Bart, Marge, Homer, Lisa, and Maggie. While the other characters have their own character quirks, Lisa is one of the most balanced and most inspiring TV characters on the show. Even as an 8-year-old, she is smarter than the adults, stands for the right causes, and is emotionally balanced and empathetic. She knows how to deal with negative emotions and fights for causes like the environment and feminism. One of the most inspiring TV characters, Lisa is true to herself and motivates others to do the same.


6. George Cooper in Young Sheldon

Still from the show (Image via TBS)
Still from the show (Image via TBS)

Created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro, this coming-of-age sitcom is a spin-off prequel to The Big Bang Theory and focuses on the child prodigy, Sheldon Cooper. However, the series also focuses on the adventures of Sheldon’s family members in a small town of East Texas. One of the most inspiring TV characters on the show is that of George Senior Cooper, who is Sheldon’s father. Even though he is humorous and often fumbles his way through life, he knows how to raise his kids, is a loyal husband, and always keeps his family before his own needs. Sometimes, one doesn’t need to do great acts to be inspirational. It is the small sacrifices that make one a motivational figure. Such is the case with George Cooper. He is humble and loves his independence, but he is always ready to step up for his children’s needs and is a loving husband and the ideal family man. He is therefore, one of the most inspiring TV characters.


7. Peggy Olson in Mad Men

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Creating a space for oneself in a male-dominated world is always a tough job and if there is someone who has been able to do that on TV then it is Peggy Olson, making her one of the most inspiring TV characters. Created by Matthew Weiner, this period drama series focuses on a fictional advertising agency in Manhattan, New York City in the 1960s. The show focuses on the lead character of Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm, who is a genius of the advertising world. However, he is erratic and has to face personal and professional challenges. While the show is about Draper, another character who takes the spotlight is Peggy Olson. Played by Elizabeth Moss, Olson entered the show as a shy young woman who was intimidated by the male-dominated advertising world and starts her career as a secretary to Draper. However, Olson found her true calling in copywriting and after being dismissed by a sexist and toxic workplace, she decided to quit her stable job and pave her own path. The character is one of the most inspiring TV characters as she showed the struggles that women faced in earlier times and continue to face today.


8. BoJack Horseman in BoJack Horseman

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

The animated character is one of the few characters on this list that inspires people to not be like him. He is therefore one of the most inspiring TV characters because of his mistakes and is a cautionary character for the viewers. Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the adult animated tragicomedy show focuses on an anthropomorphic horse, Bojack Horseman, who is a yesteryear star of a sitcom and yearns for fame and a comeback. The show is a critically and commercially acclaimed series and is known for depicting the realistically flawed character of Horseman. Intensely philosophical, the series’ protagonist stumbles his way through life and accidently ends up enlightening his viewers, becoming one of the most inspiring TV characters. Horseman’s character is such a frank depiction of a bad role model, that viewers end up learning from his mistakes. Horseman has a lot of character flaws and makes questionable decisions, however, he does try to redeem himself at times, even if it’s unsuccessful and is one of the most inspiring TV characters.


9. Eleven in Stranger Things

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Created by the Duffer Brothers, this science-fiction and horror series is one of the most popular shows in the world today. The series focuses on a group of residents who reside in the fictional town of Hawkins in Indiana and finds themselves enveloped by other dimensional creatures. The show has a huge ensemble cast however, one of the most inspiring TV characters out of them is Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown. Eleven is inspirational not because she is the one with the superpowers and ends up saving the town of Hawkins and her friends, but because she is like other normal people and is still finding her identity and power in the world. In the show’s second season, she goes on an adventure to find her true self and learns a lot in the process. Even though she has deep scars and trauma from her past, she rises above them all. Her struggles make her one of the most inspiring TV characters.


10. Ted Lasso in Ted Lasso

Still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
Still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

One of the most acclaimed sports comedy dramas, this one is developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly. The show focuses on the titular character, who is an American college football coach and is hired to coach an English soccer team. The owner of the team wants Ted Lasso, because he hopes that his inexperience will lead to the team’s failure, however, Lasso’s optimistic and cheerful attitude leads to many wins. Ted Lasso is one of the most inspiring TV characters because even though he is out of his comfort zone and is ridiculed by the British public for mentoring their team, he remains optimistic and kind-hearted. Lasso always has some wisdom to share with everyone and believes in the good in everyone. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso is unable to do bad by others and he is therefore one of the most wholesome and most inspiring TV characters.

Edited by Deeya