Here are the breakout characters that impressed TV Fanatic staff in 2014.
Connor Walsh — How to Get Away with Murder
Connor from How to Get Away with Murder. Undoubtably the breakout character from the show. Connor is manipulative, sexually aggressive (in the best way possible), witty, vulnerable, and can insult you better than anyone else.
Elizabeth Lascelles — Grimm
Elizabeth Lascelles, Grimm. Many fans had been hoping to meet Sean Renard’s mother, and Elizabeth Lascelles (Louise Lombard) did not disappoint. This formidable Hexenbiest made a grand entrance by using her magic to save Renard from the brink of death; then, as a favor to her son, she helped our heroes break Adalind’s spell that had stolen Nick’s Grimm abilities. Elizabeth is powerful as both a witch and a woman: she is what a Hexenbiest should be, putting to shame all of Adalind’s petty schemes and plots. Plus, she had some of the best quotes in every episode in which she appeared!
Trubel — Grimm
Teresa “Trubel” Rubel. Grimm. Trubel was one of the best things to happen to Grimm this year. I mean, who doesn’t love a girl who carries a machete around under her backpack? She was a breath of fresh air, having learned the hard way about being a Grimm and holding nothing back to survive. She was straightforward and badass, but still managed to be adorable and endearing.
Joe Caputo — Orange is the New Black
Warden Joe Caputo (Nick Sandow), Orange is the New Black-Although he might have morally erred in the series finale with Fig, Caputo stepped up at Litchfield to become a hypothetical source of hope among the administration that Piper (and the audience) thought would never happen. It remains to be seen whether he will be trampled by the system like his predecessor, but for now Caputo is riding high and in a show like Orange is the New Black which tugs at the viewer’s emotions, Caputo’s ascension and (mostly) noble intentions were cathartic this past season.
Skye — Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
During Season 1 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Skye pretty much served as the audience surrogate and seemed to have little purpose other than to get into trouble and do Computer Things. By the time Season 2 rolled around, however, Skye graduated into a full-fledged agent, beating the stuffing out of HYDRA goons and fending off (and manipulating) the creepy stalker attentions of crackerjacks crazy Grant Ward. Skye’s insight was instrumental in figuring out the mystery of the alien writing that was consuming Director Coulson. In the mid-season finale, Skye finally learned the truth about her origins (as well as her real name: hello, Daisy!) and met her homicidally insane father Cal. As if to reinforce her evolution as a character, the episode concluded with her coming into supernatural (dare we say, Inhuman?) abilities, courtesy of the Obelisk/Diviner
Grant Ward — Agents of Shield
During the first half of Season 1 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., fans accused Grant Ward of being bland, vanilla, boring, and just about every synonym meaning “not interesting.” Then The Winter Soldier happened, and it was revealed that Boring Ward was a mole for HYDRA! But the situation wasn’t even as simple as that, as Ward wasn’t actually loyal to HYDRA at all. He soon grew into a much more complex and unpredictable character, developing an obsession with Skye that hinged on stalker-creepy (to the point where she actually shot him to get away from him), but a large number of fans agreed that Ward was now far more fun to watch.
Mycroft Holmes — Elementary
Perhaps it seemed obvious in retrospect, but it turned out that Sherlock’s seemingly lazy, useless brother Mycroft was actually on Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Sherlock was forced to reevaluate everything he knew about his brother, especially when it was revealed all that Mycroft did to keep Sherlock out of the clutches of MI-6, for no reason less than the fact that Mycroft loved his brother. Mycroft may have seemed unaccomplished and uninspiring in his early appearances, but he was truly Sherlock’s brother in all ways.
Oswald Cobblepot — Gotham
Oswald Cobblepot on Gotham. For a show that still has a lot of flaws and issues it needs to work out, Oswald was a standout from the moment he appeared on screen. His brand of character is just odd enough that it works, while adding that dangerous side that shows just why he shouldn’t be messed with. It’s obvious this is a worthy Batman villain, and one who provides mesmerizing scenes every time. Chances are if you’re talking Gotham, the Penguin’s name is bound to pop up.
Cyril Figgis — Archer
How about Archer’s Cyril Figgis. Cyril finally developed some backbone in standing up to Archer and briefly ran a Central American country more efficiently than the dictator who came before him. Attorney, accountant, field agent, military strategist, is there anything this guy can’t do?
Kate Callaghan — Criminal Minds
Kate Callaghan. She was introduced in Criminal Minds season 10 as a seasoned FBI investigator who had seen pretty much everything there was to see as an undercover cop. Her disgust for the unsubs is quite evident, and Rossi likes to encourage her. She became much more popular than the much maligned Alex Blake, who left the show at the end of season 9.
Janice Lawrence — Stalker
Janice from Stalker. At the start of the season Janice seemed like a mere employee of the TAU, but in the last few weeks she has come into her own and become one of the best characters on TV this season. She is an excellent friend. She even risked her life to take down the evil Perry and boy did she succeed! I never thought I would like anyone on the show as much as Maggie Q, but Mariana Klaveno really is killing it every week now.
James Aubrey — Bones
James Aubrey from Bones. Joining the cast just as Sweets left made it even more difficult for James Aubrey to find acceptance from Booth, Brennan, and the rest of the team at the Jeffersonian. It also made it difficult for him to find acceptance among fans. But this quirky, headstrong fellow is already a beloved member of the cast. He’s a great FBI agent, and more importantly, he has proved his loyalty on more than one occasion.
Maggie Pierce — Grey’s Anatomy
Meredith’s newest sister definitely has spunk. Much like Lexie, Maggie Pierce hoped to form a relationship with her new-found sister. But when Meredith didn’t want any part of it, Maggie wasn’t afraid to stand up to her. She’s also got skills in the operating room, and refuses to back down when she knows she’s doing what’s best for a patient. Maggie is tough, but she’s also shown that she has a soft side.
Cisco Ramon — The Flash
Arguably, all of the characters on The Flash could fit the bill, but expectations for some were higher than others and that’s why my pick is Cisco Ramon. At first he seemed sort of annoying, always butting in with a strange comment. It turns out he’s the glue that holds Team Flash together, much as Felicity did with Arrow. That was vey obvious when he fit so perfectly into both The Flash and Arrow worlds. Now I can’t imagine the show without his upbeat look on otherwise terrible situations.
Kim Burgess — Chicago PD
Kim Burgess on Chicago PD was left in the winter finale bleeding on the sidewalk. Her determined nature and gusto for the job make it impossible to imagine the show without her. She may not be on the elite team, yet somehow we have no doubt it will happen. We believe in her and want her to succeed. Plus, her and Ruzek are HOT together!
