Between the plethora of streaming services and network television, there was no shortage of quality TV to watch this year. However, the bulk of that quality came from the shows on streaming platforms like Disney+. There has been a kind of television renaissance for the past few years, and it has continued well into 2023, delivering compelling storylines that keep fans asking for more. As good as the shows were in 2023, the characters were even better. Every series needs a protagonist or a hero. Thebetter the hero, the better the series.
It’s not enough to have them come out victorious by the end of the episode. Audiences want more from a show’s heroes. They need to undergo trials and experience challenges that make them question their principles. After all, a story is only as good as its hero. Whether it’s solving a murder or saving the universe from amegalomaniac tyrant, 2023 gave audiences every kind of hero. These were the very best.
Creator
Michael Waldron
Lokicompleted a 14-year-long journeyfor the Norse God of Mischief, and showed him fulfill the glorious purpose he had been searching for since childhood. The character began his journey as a notable villain who gradually transitioned into an anti-hero and eventually a hero. While his brother and the Avengers have saved countless lives with their exploits, Loki arguably saved more with his finale.
Throughout season two, Loki fought to keep branched timelines from evaporating after Sylvie killed He Who Remains in the season one finale. He managed to avoid killing Sylvie himself after He Who Remains told him it was the only way for the universe to survive. Loki destroyed the temporal loom, took the dying strands of every timeline into his grasp, and breathed new life into them. He committed himself to an eternity of sustaining the multiverse as a living temporal loom.
Dave Filoni
Star Warsis in its prime as fans receive new projects yearly. 2023 finally released the long-anticipatedAhsokaseries that followed the titular heroine reuniting with herRebelsfriends and fulfilling a promise. The miniseries showed Ahsoka overcoming her self-doubt through one last lesson from her old Jedi master, Anakin Skywalker, while simultaneously venturing to another galaxy far, far away to stop Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return.
The moment Ahsoka relinquished her self-doubt, she became the master Sabine Wren needed to learn the ways of the Force. This allowed them to get Ezra Bridger home to the mainStar Warsgalaxy, where he could warn the New Republic about the coming threat. Unfortunately, this stranded Ahsoka and Sabine on Peridea, millions of light years from their home.Ahsokawas the most anticipated series since Filoni announced it, and it delivered everything fans wanted in aStar Warsseries.
Creators
Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet
Star Trekhas always been about showing the best side of humanity, revealing to audiences what they could achieve once they put aside their differences and cooperate with their neighbors.Captain Christopher Pike embodies this philosophy, delivering a new kind of Starfleet captain fans aren’t accustomed to.
Pike is knowledgeable on many topics, but has no qualms about deferring to those with more experience when necessary. He exudes confidence and command, but isn’t afraid to admit when he’s scared.Strange New Worldsin 2023 saw Pike outmaneuver his enemies with a level of cunning not yet exhibited by any other Starfleet captains. He successfully took on the Gorn, a terrifying and lethal reptilian race of aliens who attack first and ask questions never, on multiple occasions. Season two ended on a dramatic stand-off of a cliffhanger with these enemies, leaving audiences waiting to see what Pike will do next.
Rian Johnson
Rian Johnson is famously known for his divisiveStar Warsfilm,The Last Jedi. Regardless of one’s personal thoughts on that, it’s hard to deny that Johnson writes characters incredibly well. He gives them agency and intrigue that keeps the audience wanting more. Charlie Cale is one such character whotook the lead inPoker Face, a murder mystery series that’s more about how the case is solved rather than who committed the crime.
Charlie goes on the run from her employer, as he blames her for his son’s death. However, throughout her cross-country road trip to avoid capture, she uses her ability to sniff out lies, helping those in need. What makes Charlie interesting is that she has no real need to help anyone she encounters. She has her own baggage to deal with, and staying in one place for too long might mean her past will catch up to her. However, she chooses to help because she empathizes with people easily. She feels that if she can help, it’s her responsibility to do so.
Jon Favreau
Bo-Katan received her live-action debut inThe Mandalorianseason two, but saw her story pushed to the forefront in season three. While Din Djarin has been the lead character for the series,Bo-Katan theoretically became the titular characteras she traveled throughout the galaxy to unite splintered factions of Mandalorians and bring them home to the decimated Mandalore.
She overcame her differences with the Armorer and the Mandalorians who follow the Death Watch culture, and found herself on a more spiritual path when she bore witness to a real-life Mythosaur in the living waters of Mandalore. She’s a true leader and a hero to her people. Now wielding the Darksaber and ending Moff Gideon’s reign, Bo-Katan Kryze can focus her efforts on bringing more Mandalorians home and even defend against the looming threat of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
