19 Tough TV Characters With Squishy Soft Sides

All well-developed television characters have layers.

The longer you watch a show and the more you get to know the people on it, the more the layers start to unravel.

There are some characters who try to come off as tough for either their sake or other's, when in reality, they're just like everyone else.

We created a slideshow below of 19 tough TV characters with squishy soft sides!

1. Conrad Hawkins - The Resident

Conrad tried to come off as arrogant and unfeeling when he first met his new intern. But it really only took twenty minutes to realize that Conrad is a huge softie who cares about his patients more than anything.

2. Diego Hargreeves - The Umbrella Academy

Diego is a total badass who tries to act as if nothing fazes him. But when it comes to protecting his family, Diego is probably the softest character on the show.

3. Alec Lightwood - Shadowhunters

Alec is a fierce warrior who always tries to keep his focus on the task at hand. When he's around his boyfriend, however, he completely melts. Don't even get us started on what a softie he is when it comes to children.

4. Garrett McNeill - Superstore

Garrett may insult his co-workers on a daily basis, but really he just likes to mess with people. The truth is, the more Garett picks on you, the more he actually likes you. Just ask his best friend, Jonah.

5. Nick Porter - The Village

Nick is a tough, military veteran who's fighting PTSD. All he really wants to do is be a good father to his daughter, but he also respects the fact that her mother isn't ready for her to know who he is.

6. Rio - Good Girls

Rio, the leader of a violent gang, can often be caught melting around the right people. Turns out, he's a father who cares deeply for his son, and he even threatened a violent group of men to get Beth's daughter's blanket returned.

7. Diana Trout - Younger

Diana is not an easy person to have for a boss. In fact, it takes a lot of patience to stick with her. But, she does have a soft spot for a couple of special people, even if it's rare to witness it firsthand.

8. April Ludgate - Parks and Recreation

April is a big fan of death and darkness and pretty much refuses to admit that she has emotions. But when she's around her sunshiney husband or her dog, all the hostility melts away.

9. Jon Snow - Game of Thrones

In order to be a ruler, you do need to exemplify to others that you're not someone to mess around with. But in all honesty, Jon is probably one of the softest and most compassionate characters on Game of Thrones.

10. Nico Minoru - Marvel's Runaways

Nico does her best to appear tough when she's really just an adorable ray of sunshine. She may be kickass, but she's also the cutest and most hilarious character on the show.

11. Eleanor Shellstrop - The Good Place

Eleanor is obviously uncomfortable with emotions, so she uses humor as a defense mechanism when it comes to expressing her feelings. Now that she's finally let down her walls, viewers have been able to see what an affectionate character Eleanor is.

12. Bellamy Blake - The 100

Bellamy Blake started off the series as more of an antagonist than a hero. However, his love for his sister was apparent from day one, and he started full on melting around his former enemy, Clarke Griffin. After that, he became the "mom-friend" when it came to the rest of the delinquents.

13. Rohan Kapoor - New Amsterdam

Kapoor acts tough when it comes to his son, but in reality, he just loves him and wants the best for him. You can also see his softer side when it comes to the time he spends caring for his patients.

14. Tony Padilla - 13 Reasons Why

Tony was a bit of a mystery at the beginning of the series and appeared to be doing some sketchy things. But Tony turned out to be an incredibly genuine character and Hannah's only real friend. He listened to her without judgment and suffered a large amount of guilt in relation to her death.

15. Dean Winchester - Supernatural

When he's not fighting demons and trying to save the world, Dean Winchester is a giant teddy bear who needs to be protected at all costs. The only ending of Supernatural we'll accept is one where he's alive and happy.

16. Oliver Queen - Arrow

Oliver Queen is one of the most lethal people in the world. No one wants to be on the wrong side of his arrow as his masked face will probably be the last thing you see. Despite his life as a vigilante, Oliver just wants everyone to be safe and happy and would sacrifice his own life for a complete stranger.

17. Rosa Diaz - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

You definitely do not want to be on Rosa's bad side. But, if you're on her good side there's absolutely nothing she wouldn't do for you.

18. Toni Topaz - Riverdale

Toni Topaz may have been a valuable member of the Serpents, but just like the rest of them, Toni is a big softie at heart. Her laughter is contagious, and it's impossible not to be grinning ear to ear when she's on your screen.

19. Lydia Alvarez - One Day at a Time

It's easy to get on Lydia's nerves, but it takes a lot to actually make her show emotion. When it comes to her family, however, they can easily make her cry happy or sad tears.