The 99 Greatest TV Characters Since Tony Soprano: #69-60

On January 10, 1999, a bathrobe-clad Tony Soprano first bent over to pick up a Star-Ledger in his driveway — and TV changed forever. We’re celebrating this new Golden Age of Television by paying tribute to our favorite TV characters who’ve debuted since The Sopranos premiered. No reality TV here, folks: just the 99 richest, most fascinating fictional characters from both comedies and dramas to grace the small screen over the past decade and a half. We love TV… and these people are the reason why.

69. Molly Solverson, Fargo

Ya betcha that Bemidji’s finest police officer makes this list. Proof positive that the coolest things come in the most unassuming packages, Deputy Solverson continually defies the expectations of her superiors, not to mention the criminals she’s pursuing, in the name of seeing justice done. She’s similarly savvy when it comes to her personal life, setting her sights on lonely widower Gus Grimly and nudging him into proposing a date and, later, marriage. Although, knowing Molly, she was probably the one who popped the question. — Ethan Alter

Related: Vote For the Best TV Characters of the 2000s

68. Alison Hendrix, Orphan Black

It’s not easy to stand out on a show when everyone looks exactly like you… because you’re a clone. Yet Alison does just that. She’s endearingly controlling and OCD, yet fiercely protective and loyal to her family, her sisters, and her new BFF Felix. Alison is frighteningly competent: She can use a glue gun as well as a handgun, clean up after her kids as well as clean up after a homicide. There’s an ocean of passion bubbling underneath that buttoned-up suburban housewife facade; woe be to anyone who crosses her and unleashes a tidal wave. — Kelly Woo

67. Nate Fisher, Six Feet Under

The elder son of the dysfunctional Fisher clan, Nate spent five seasons swinging back and forth between self-absorbed manchild and selfless family man. He was at times charming, noble, and funny, but he also made terrible mistakes that pained the people he loved most. He was always on a quest to find deeper meaning and a happy escape. Nate’s complex and conflicted qualities are completely identifiable… even if we wish they weren’t. His sudden and shocking death left many of us grieving for days, but is still one of TV’s most satisfying character deaths, whether we think he got what he deserved, or he finally was able to accept what he feared most: death. — Chrissy Le Nguyen

66. Laura Roslin, Battlestar Galactica

On television, as in real life, leaders generally aren’t allowed to make mistakes. But Laura Roslin made dozens during her tempestuous presidency of BSG’s ragtag Colonial fleet, desperately searching the cosmos for a new home after the Cylons blew up the old one (and the one before that). That’s precisely why she proved to be such an excellent commander-in-chief; she learned from her missteps, while also rarely losing confidence in her ability to make difficult decisions in impossible circumstances. That alone qualifies her for a spot on the Mount Rushmore of sci-fi presidents. — EA

Related: Best TV Characters of the 2000s via Yahoo Sports

65. Diane Lockhart, The Good Wife

Fearlessness takes many forms. In the case of Diane, whose cool, confident presence makes a bigger statement than whatever enviable piece of jewelry she may be wearing at the moment, it’s the way she fought to keep her firm… and then walked away to join Alicia and Cary’s. She has the integrity to fire a disrespectful client even when the firm is in debt; the heart and sense of humor to marry across the political aisle; and the tolerance to keep up with Alicia when the martinis are poured. She’s not a dream role for a woman of a certain age —she’s a dream role for a woman of any age. — Mandi Bierly

64. Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad

Jesse was scheduled to be killed off at the end of Season 1, but the character (and Aaron Paul’s performance) proved to be so rich that creator Vince Gilligan decided to save him before the end of the second episode. Jesse, abandoned by his family and left with the idea that his breaking-bad activities were his only way to achieve anything, was the most tragic and heartbreaking character of the series, because he desperately wanted a less destructive life — and was nearly destroyed by the guilt of not being able to. — Kimberly Potts

63. Jerri Blank, Strangers With Candy

The opening credits to this wickedly funny cult comedy say it all: Jerri Blank is “a 46-year-old high school freshman” who wasted a few decades as “a boozer, a user, and a loser” and is now looking to start fresh. Brought to life by elastic-faced genius Amy Sedaris, Jerri takes the role of high school outcast to weird new heights, trying to scam her way through graduation and learning tough life lessons along the way. (Ones she should’ve learned 30 years earlier.) It’s comforting to know that, however far off into a ditch you’ve driven your life, you’re always better off than Jerri Blank. — Dave Nemetz

62. Constance Langdon, American Horror Story: Murder House

As the grande dame of FX’s horror anthology, Jessica Lange has created some supremely memorable frauleins in four seasons. But it was nosy neighbor Constance — with her pinned-up platinum tresses, proud Southern roots, way-younger gentleman caller, and lethal temper — that rekindled the public’s love affair with Lady Lange. She welcomed herself into the Harmon family’s haunted home, failing to mention her connection to the many things that would go bump in the night — but never shutting up about her opinions, regardless of how old-fashioned, homophobic, or cruel they were. She could even use silence and chain smoking to cut down her foes, dragging in regret and grief and exhaling contempt. — Carrie Bell

61. Saul Berenson, Homeland

A brainy intelligence analyst for the CIA’s Middle East division, Saul mentored Carrie Mathison and understands what it’s like to possess intellectual gifts that don’t always translate well in real-world relationships and dilemmas. Soft-spoken yet forceful, Saul is a canny strategist who has endured everything from governmental office politics to terrorist torture, yet has faced some of his greatest failings on the homefront, as a husband. Also, he’s done his patriotic part to make heavy beards cool again. — Ken Tucker

60. Amy Jellicoe, Enlightened

You know that well-meaning but annoying friend who tells you to throw out that snack you’re eating because it’s not fair-trade? Yeah, that’s Amy. After an epic meltdown at work, Amy went away to a hippie-dippy treatment center and came out determined to save the world by sharing her spiritual epiphanies. Unfortunately, the world wasn’t ready to be saved, and Amy struggled to maintain her Zen state of mind in the face of cynicism and corporate greed. Her journey (powered by a Golden Globe-winning performance from Laura Dern) was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. — DN

Previously:
The 99 Greatest TV Characters Since Tony Soprano: #99-90
The 99 Greatest TV Characters Since Tony Soprano: #89-80
The 99 Greatest TV Characters Since Tony Soprano: #79-70