I was kindly tagged by whimsywriter3 last week to take part in this cool tag which has us name ten of our favourite film and TV characters. Though in honesty, my answer changes all the time, I couldn’t resist getting involved. So, in no particular order, here are a selection of my favourite characters.
1. Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver
Ellen Ripley
As the heroine of the Alien franchise, Ripley smashed every trope and stereotype about female action and horror characters. What’s best about her is that she is both kick-ass and compassionate, without either ever feeling forced. I love that she is vulnerable and scared but rather than becoming a damsel in distress, this only spurs her will to survive.
2. Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson
Hermione Granger
Hermione is, as we all know, brave, intelligent and loyal, and though I love that she is more than capable of holding her own in any number of difficult situations, what I love most of all about her is that she actually managed to make it cool to be a socially awkward bookworm. Yay!
3. Chloe O’Brian, played by Mary Lynn Rajskub
Chloe O’Brian
While we’re on the subject of socially awkward, Chloe’s complete lack of filter or social awareness in 24 is nothing short of fabulous. She is a genius and damn good at her job, but won’t suffer fools (which is most people, in her opinion), though she is incredibly loyal to those she cares about. Also, her huffing and eye rolls reach epic proportions.
4. Will Graham, played by Hugh Dancy
Will Graham
As the lead in the brilliant TV adaptation of Hannibal, Hugh Dancy plays Will’s genius but also his inner struggles and mental instability beautifully. He’s a fascinating character and I’m excited to see how he will continue to develop throughout the show.
5. Michonne, played by Danai Gurira
Michonne
We all love Michonne for kicking some serious walker/zombie butt in The Walking Dead, but what has made me really like her is actually that she has subsequently been given real depth since we’ve seen more and more glimpses into her emotional side and tragic past. It makes her all the more compelling and likable.
6. Claire Littleton, played by Emilie de Ravin
Claire Littleton
I could pick any number of LOST’s characters as a favourite but decided to go with Claire since she’s a slightly less obvious choice than the likes of Jack, Kate or Sawyer. She certainly went through one of the most dramatic growth arcs in the show; from a sweet, if apprehensive, young mother to a deeply damaged, mentally unstable survivor through her years of isolation and manipulation in the latter seasons. Plus, her relationship with Charlie was adorable and one of few TV romances I didn’t find irritating or in-your-face. Sadly, it didn’t end well… #NotPennysBoat
7. Darkness, played by Tim Curry
Darkness
I was obsessed with the movie, Legend, growing up and there’s nothing like it to make me feel nostalgic. Tim Curry is chillingly enigmatic and utterly unforgettable as Darkness in this enchanting, dark fairy tale. He’s one of my all-time favourite villains, for sure.
8. Selma Ježková, played by Björk
Selma Ježková
I’m not normally a lover of musicals (but Dancer in the Dark is unlike any other) and truth be told, if I weren’t a huge fan of Björk this movie would likely have flown under my radar, but my goodness is it powerful and incredibly harrowing; it will make you want to scream in defence of life’s underdogs like nothing else. Björk, who composed the film’s music and was eventually convinced to take the lead role despite not being an actress, is wonderful as Selma, an immigrant going blind but suffering in silence in order to continue working, so she can raise enough money for her son to have surgery that will spare him the same fate. She takes solace in music, something which resonates hugely with me and hence the film’s musical elements, where she escapes her painful reality by imagining the world is alive with sound. Let’s just say, if the ending doesn’t weigh heavy upon your heart, I’m not sure you had one to begin with.
(Side note: She won the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival as was nominated for an Oscar for best original song, which is where the infamous swan dress made its long-remembered appearance.)
9. Éowyn, played by Miranda Otto
Éowyn
She disguises herself as a man so that she can fight alongside her people in battle, and even kills the all-powerful Witch-King. Need I say more?
10. Ofelia, played by Ivana Baquero
Ofelia
Pan’s Labyrinth is one of my absolute favourite films and the fact that it manages to be both a realistic, gritty war story and a dark and whimsical fairy tale is amazing, but the fact that both narratives are successfully carried by a young girl is even more impressive. Ofelia is just the right balance of curious, brave and naïve to be believable and lovable in the lead role. You can’t help but root for her.
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Well, there you have it; a taste of some of my favourite screen characters. I’d like to tag Mel, since I know she loves her movies, and anyone else who wants to take part. If not, by all means just let me know some of your favourite characters in the comments below. Thanks for reading.
