by Anna Maria Ryan

Created on: June 02, 2009   Last Updated: June 03, 2009

When I decided that I would write on this topic, thinking of ten television characters that stood out for me seemed like a slightly daunting task. After I thought of the first one though I found the list filling out nicely, and had to jostle some characters about, weighing their respective merits to see who would make the cut. The following are my choice of the top ten T.V. characters. There are a few on the list that are from shows that might only be shown on the U.K. side of the Atlantic, so American readers, for the ones you don't know, type them into Youtube and fall in love with something new.

10) Horatio Hornblower - Hornblower: The T.V. adaptation of the classic sea faring books begain airing in 1998 in Britain on the ITV channel. The series brought us a new adventurer in the title character and a handsome young actor in Ioan Gruffudd who played him. The series was a very well written, exceptionally produced band of feature length episodes that compelled you to watch them whenever they were shown. This was due in large to Horatio Hornblower. We are introduced to him as he begins his sea career and are brought right through to the day he weds and the day he finds out he is due to be a father. I think the reason why this character stands out for me is that he is fearless, thinks only of the safety of others and is strongly bound by his ethics. He is a man who is chivalrous, brave, kind, but can also fight for what he thinks is right. In short, the perfect man.

9) Bernard Black - Black Books: I'm almost a hundred per cent sure that this sit-com has not aired on American T.V., which is a shame. Though the show is not laugh a minute and at times is downright bizarre, there is a little bit of magic in the characters. Notably the characters of Manny, played by Bill Bailey, and Bernard Black played by Dylan Moran. These two characters have great chemistry with each other even though they are complete opposites. Manny is positive, upbeat and friendly whereas Bernard is grumpy, moody, mean and can't stand his own customers. Bernard shines a little more than Manny for me as a character because he is generally the instigator of the humour. He is constantly making sarcastic quips, demeaning Manny, winding up his other friend Fran and casually insulting anyone else that breezes by. He is an Irish character, and being Irish myself, I understand his particular brand of comedy and enjoy it immensely.

8) Joy Turner - My Name Is Earl: Joy Turner is without a doubt one

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