Let’s face it, it’s hard when new characters invade your favorite shows, but sometimes they fill a void you just didn’t know already existed. There have been quite a few excellent additions in 2012, so here are our picks for the best new characters of 2012.
OSWIN OSWALD: ‘Doctor Who’
While we know that the actress that played Oswin Oswald will be shacking up with Matt Smith as the Doctor’s new companion, Oswin made an impact all on her own when she appeared in the season premiere, “Asylum of the Daleks.” Who in the world could get Whovians to feel badly for a Dalek? Even if that Dalek used to be human, it’s still a stretch, but Oswin managed to worm her way into our hearts in a single episode. Plus, it’s hard to outwit the Doctor, but she manages to keep him on his toes the entire time. And, she calls him the Chin. Bless you, Oswin.
AIDEN MATHIS: ‘Revenge’
While Revenge may have hit a few missteps so far this season, Aiden was a welcome distraction. He seems to have true loyalty to Emily, and while his presence may have limited the Nolan/Emily moments, which is a real shame, seeing Emily interact with someone who knows all her secrets is worth it. While some characters, like Amanda or Nolan, may know bits and pieces of her past, Aiden is the only one that truly knows all of her history as well as the effect Takeda’s training has had on her. He also seems to have charmed his way into her heart, and while this may delay her inevitable reunion with Jack, at least he isn’t a Grayson.
PROFESSOR SHANE: ‘The Vampire Diaries’
We may not know his true motivation yet, but Professor Shane has definitely made an impact on the ever tumultuous town of Mystic Falls. There is little doubt that he will play an integral part in the rest of the season as he has a hand in almost every aspect of the show. First there’s the little matter of him training Bonnie in the darkest of dark magic, then there’s his alliance with Hayley and unsiring of the hybrids, and his fascination with The Five and the mark that leads to a cure… Not to mention his ties to April Young and her father, which are somehow connected to this whole crazy plan of his. We can only hope that Professor Shane never sets his sights directly on the Salvatore brothers, or we may have a real fight on our hands.
BRIAN WILLIAMS: ‘Doctor Who’
So, we all know that Doctor Who basically runs the world, and we couldn’t leave off our other favorite new character from 2012. Rory’s father, Brian Williams, made his debut this year in “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship,” and was an instant favorite from the moment the Doctor materialized around him. From the fear on his face as a Triceratops tried to find his golf balls, to the sheer joy as he flew a spaceship with his son, Brian lit up the screen and settled into our hearts before the adventure had even begun. His presence in “The Power of Three” was equally as beloved, especially as he recorded “Brian’s Log” every morning, much to Rory’s chagrin. One of the saddest things about the Ponds’ exit is knowing that Brian Williams is still out there in the world…and very much alone.
CAPTAIN HOOK: ‘Once Upon A Time’
Who doesn’t love a good pirate? And by good, we don’t mean the Will Turner kind that fights evil. We mean the Captain Hook variety with questionable morals, smoldering eyes, and wavering loyalty. When Captain Hook swept onto the scene in Once Upon a Time this year, he quickly became a fan favorite character. Whether helping Emma recover a compass from a giant or stealing Aurora’s heart from her chest, Hook has definitely caught our attention, and we cannot wait to see what he has up his sleeve next.
DR. CRAIG THOMAS: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Played brilliantly by the actor that gave us Mr. Feeney, Dr. Craig Thomas’ short stay on Grey’s Anatomy brought one of the most endearing storylines Cristina Yang has ever had on the show. The sight of her befriending an old man, who just two seasons ago would have been the butt of every one of her jokes, warmed the heart of every Grey’s fan out there. Equally heartwrenching was the end of this character’s arch, as his heart attack ripped a hole in Cristina’s world just large enough for her to return to Seattle Grace and the life she ran so quickly from after the plane crash. His character helped to put a broken woman back together and for that, we will be eternally grateful.
RYDER LYNN: ‘Glee’
While he has not been on the show long, the positivity surrounding Ryder brings with it a breath of fresh air. His interactions with Jake and Marley have brought a fresh perspective to Glee, helping them to introduce a whole new class of characters for us to love and cherish as we did the seniors that came before them. Also, we are loving every bit of his interactions with Finn, and we certainly hope that this only continues as the show goes on. If there is one thing Finn does well, it’s encourage others, and his storyline with Ryder is reminding us of just how strong and dynamic Finn can be, something that many of us had forgotten in the wake of the Finchel relationship drama.
PETER QUINN: ‘Homeland’
His sudden appearance may not have seemed particularly important at the beginning of the season, and for one short moment it seemed that he may have been brought in as a romantic foil for Carrie, but Peter Quinn has a role to play in this season that no one else saw coming. His involvement in a separate operation intending to eliminate Nick Brody after his usefulness ran its course definitely came as a surprise, especially after he was nearly mowed down by Abu Nazir’s operatives. We really can’t wait to see what the show has in store for his character next, and we hope that he stays around a while longer.
YGRITTE: ‘Game of Thrones’
Fans of the books know exactly why Ygritte is such a great new character. Her flaming red hair and personality to match bring levity to the increasingly grim situation North of the Wall. She manages to make a Stark bastard question his honor, and even offers to teach him a thing or two. While it doesn’t go over well with Jon, you can’t deny that she brings a spark to the dreary dankness of the world North of the Wall.
ANDY: ‘2 Broke Girls’
For a show that doesn’t hesitate to make the dirty joke, the introduction of a candy store owner that brings out Max’s inner child was a move we never saw coming…and we love them for it. Candy Andy’s presence has managed to turn a show all about two unlikely girlfriends that are trying to make it in the cupcake business into one of the best representations of how best friends and boyfriends interact. While Caroline may be pretty much hopeless when it comes to dealing with Andy, Max goes out of her way to help, just like a real friend would. It’s nice to see Max’s softer side, and Caroline’s ineptness in all things Andy seems to bring that out in her all the more.
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.