Not every gentleman on television is a James Bond in training. Some may be upstanding citizens living their life with honor, respect, and dignity. Others might not lead such an honest life, but their charm, sense of style, and good manners make them quite desirable.
Whether it’s a bad guy or a good guy, fine gentlemen can be found all over the television dial.
Here are 37 men we think define the meaning of a true gentleman.
Frank Reagan – Blue Bloods
Poised and dignified, Frank Reagan is the ultimate gentleman. Who can resist a dedicated family man with a sexy mustache to boot?
Lucius Fox – Gotham
Lucius Fox is, perhaps, the only true gentleman you’ll ever find in a city as corrupt as Gotham. He’s gracious, smart and handsome to boot maintaining his soft-spoken demeanor even when he’s being challenged by the city’s most notorious brainiac villain — The Riddler.
Amenadiel – Lucifer
Charming in every way, Amenadiel is the kind of guy you’d want by your side at any occasion. Sure, he’s an angel, but that only adds a special dimension to his gentlemanly ways.
Captain Avery – Lethal Weapon
Calm, cool, and collected are the best ways to describe LAPD’s finest gentleman. Even when tasked with overseeing the craziness of Riggs and Murtaugh, Captain Avery exudes charm.
Prince Philip – The Crown
Dashing good looks are only part of Prince Philip’s charm. Being the husband of the Queen of England can’t be easy, but it doesn’t stop him from being a true English gentleman.
Richard Castle – Castle
Castle knows what it means to treat a lady right, whether it’s his mother, daughter, or the love of his life, Detective Beckett. He enjoys a fine wine, a good dinner (which he’ll gladly prepare), and good conversation. He may not be the most mature gentleman on television, but he’s proved over and over again that being good-natured and genuine goes a long way in building lasting relationships.
Doc Holliday – Wynonna Earp
Doc Holliday comes from a different time where men were true gentlemen. Despite the fact that he’s a cursed man, it hasn’t kept him from being honest, patient, and extremely kind. He can tip his hat to us anytime!
Eric Taylor – Friday Night Lights
Coach Taylor is an all-around decent guy who knows how to balance career and family. As dedicated as he is to his team, he’s even more so to his family. He’s fair, kind, and perfect in every way.
Harold Finch – Person of Interest
Well-mannered, cultured, and mysterious, Finch is the type of guy who’d be first in line to hold an umbrella open for you if it started raining outside. He may be a billionaire genius, but it’s all part of his quirky charm.
Fred Andrews – Riverdale
Fred Andrews is a down-to-earth guy who knows the value of hard work and honest living. He’s self-sufficient, kind, smart, and charming with a smile that could melt a million hearts in moments.
Joe West – The Flash
A good-natured guy with a great sense of humor, Joe West wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to show it. He’s honest and reliable and the guy who’d hold you tight when you’ve had the worst day of your life.
John Luther – Luther
Underneath Luther’s tough exterior is a passionate and humble man who believes love is one of the most important things in the world. His skill at comforting victims is one of his most endearing qualities. He’s someone you can depend on in good times and bad.
Mr. Wednesday – American Gods
Classy and impeccably dressed, Mr. Wednesday is a smooth-talking old god who can charm the pants off a chimpanzee. He may be a con artist, but he still knows the value of good taste and manners.
Peter Bishop – Fringe
A brilliant jack-of-all-trades with a heart of gold, Peter Bishop will do anything and everything for those he loves. He’s kind, compassionate and knows the value of true love and the sacrifices that need to be made to keep that love alive.
Prince Charming – Once Upon a Time
He’s a prince and he’s charming, courageous, cute and everything else you’d imagine a prince to be like. He’ll always do the right thing even in the face of evil and will protect his true love at all costs.
Quentin Lance – Arrow
Although no longer with us in the television universe, Lance was a man to be admired. Despite his troubles, he always tried to do the right thing and placed his family above all else. He was kind, caring, and incredibly sweet — the kind of guy you’d love to take on a romantic stroll through the park on a warm, summer evening.
Randall Pearson – This is Us
Every man should strive to be a Randall Pearson. Warm, kind, and absolutely brilliant, he’s a dedicated family man who not only sings and dances, but he also cooks — always a plus in our book!
Captain Mercer – The Orville
Captain Mercer’s boyish good looks are only part of his charm. He shows the utmost respect to his female counterparts — even his ex-wife, and he can always be counted to help someone out of a tough jam.
Raymond Reddington – The Blacklist
Red may be a notorious criminal, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he’s quite the gentleman. He’s charming even when he’s holding a gun to your head. And with his keen sense of style, quick wit, and phenomenal ability to tell a tale, who wouldn’t want to spend time with this dapper gent?
Jonathan Pine – The Night Manager
Jonathan Pine is James Bond made for TV. An ex-British soldier turned spy, Pine is charming, confident, and elegant. It’s not surprising that Jed fell for him hard. He showed her how a true gentleman treats a lady. Besides, who can resist those sexy eyes?
Tyrion Lannister – Game of Thrones
Tyrion Lannister always manages to make the right choices even in the most difficult of circumstances. When he was forced to marry Sansa Stark, he had no desire to take advantage of his 15-year old bride even though it would have been easy for him to do so.
Henry McCord – Madam Secretary
Henry McCord is almost too good to be true. Suave and sophisticated with dashing good looks, he’s completely devoted to his wife and family. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Elizabeth, and she knows he’s always got her back.
Michael Cordero – Jane the Virgin
We all would love our own personal Michael – a guy who’s strong but also sensitive. He’s not afraid to comfort the woman he loves, and like many others on this list, he’ll do anything to make his love feel happy and safe. Even after his untimely death, he’s still one of our favorite true gentlemen.
Luke Danes – Gilmore Girls
Luke may not be the most stylish gentleman, opting for a signature flannel shirt and a blue baseball cap, but his actions have proven that a gentleman exists in that gruff exterior.
Jamie Fraser – Outlander
Exceptionally charming and kind with a sweet sense of humor, Jaime does his duty as a man with honor. His devotion to Claire is swoon-worthy as he quite adept at making her feel like she’s the only woman alive.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs – NCIS
Gibbs is a fearless leader who lives by a set of rules that he sometimes shares with his teammates. Although he may be brusque at times, he is compassionate and always ready to lend an ear when needed.
Jack Porter – Revenge
Honest, responsible, and sweet, Jack is the kind of guy you’d take home to meet your parents. Although he lives in the Hamptons, he doesn’t have airs about him. He treats everyone with respect and prefers the simple joys in life.
Dr. Angus Leighton – Code Black
Who doesn’t love a man who’s loyal and hard-working? Angus is sensitive, compassionate, and will help anyone he can. He’s our knight in shining armor.
Patrick Jane – The Mentalist
Patrick Jane is a proper English gentleman (aren’t they all?) who enjoys good music, good people…and good eggs. He’s quite charismatic in his signature three-piece suit, and although he has abilities that might seem a bit scary, he always treats those around him with the utmost respect.
John Watson – Sherlock
Watson is the better half of the Sherlock bromance. Quick-witted and charming, he lives his life with grace and style.
John Jaqobis – Killjoys
Another guy whose tough exterior belies what’s really hiding underneath. John Jaqobis would give anyone the shirt off his back and is extremely loyal and devoted to his team.
