Oliver Queen, "Arrow"(01 of20)
Open Image ModalA tortured hero masquerading as a billionaire playboy, Stephen Amell's Oliver Queen not only kicks ass (and looks good doing it), he also brings wit, nuance and heartbreaking humanity to a character who's willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good. (credit:The CW)
Shania Clemmons, "The New Normal"(02 of20)
Open Image ModalNo matter what the writers throw at her, Bebe Wood is utterly fearless in portraying precocious Shania. Whether she's tackling one of Cher's more controversial tracks or impersonating Little Edie from "Grey Gardens," she always steals the show. (credit:NBC)
Sister Mary Eunice, "American Horror Story: Asylum"(03 of20)
Open Image ModalSister Mary Eunice has evolved from a meek and mild sidekick to a woman possessed (literally), and Lily Rabe's chillingly unhinged performance has been one of the greatest parts of the new "AHS." Now Sister Mary Eunice is the one administering the punishments instead of bending over, and we like the change. (credit:FX)
Michael Ginsberg, "Mad Men"(04 of20)
Open Image ModalSterling Cooper Draper Pryce's first Jewish employee soon shrugged off the shackles of tokenism, revealing the tragic (he was born in a concentration camp), layered man beneath. Ben Feldman's sly character even one-upped Don Draper a few times, although some Pete Campbell-esque sabotage soon put Don back on top. (credit:AMC)
Anne, "Go On"(05 of20)
Open Image ModalIn a year when LGBT characters were overwhelmingly portrayed as shrill clichès, Julie White's Anne is pretty much the only gay character whose identity hasn't been wholly defined by their sexual orientation. Her honest, nuanced and hilariously sardonic portrayal of a grieving widow transcends stereotypes. (credit:NBC)
Marcus Chaplin, "Last Resort"(06 of20)
Open Image ModalThe ABC drama may not have set the ratings alight, but no one on primetime can match the gravitas of Andre Braugher's Marcus Chaplin, the conflicted, charismatic captain of the Colorado. We'll miss him and the show next season. (credit:ABC)
Hannah Horvath, "Girls"(07 of20)
Open Image ModalLove her or hate her, we guarantee you were talking about her in 2012. Lena Dunham's fearless (and often unflattering) portrait of an insecure twentysomething trying to find her identity shone a harsh but heartfelt light on the millennial crowd. Whatever else you may think of her, Hannah's undoubtedly a voice of a generation. (credit:HBO)
Maddie Hayward, "The Good Wife"(08 of20)
Open Image ModalFriend or foe? It changes week to week, but whether Maura Tierney's calculating businesswoman is on Alicia's side or not, it's great to see the "ER" alumna back together, especially playing such strong female characters. (We're also loving Amanda Peet, for the record.) (credit:CBS)
Killian Jones (a.k.a. Captain Hook), "Once Upon a Time"(09 of20)
Open Image ModalWho doesn't love a roguish swashbuckler in guyliner and leather pants? Colin O'Donoghue's Hook may be the villain of the story, but we'd sail away to Neverland with him any day. (Who does Emma think she's kidding?) (credit:ABC)
Hannah McKay, "Dexter"(10 of20)
Open Image ModalIt may be physically impossible to keep yourself from falling in love with Yvonne Strahovski, so we don't blame Dexter for getting hooked on a fellow killer, especially one with such a fascinating past. Too bad his relationship with Deb will always come first. (credit:Showtime)
Sherlock Holmes, "Elementary"(11 of20)
Open Image ModalHe may not be Cumberbatch, but Jonny Lee Miller's jittery, genius (and a little loopy) incarnation of the iconic detective has his own charm, helping the drama avoid becoming just another procedural. (credit:CBS)
Cassandra July, "Glee"(12 of20)
Open Image ModalPlaying a slutty, bitchy drunkard may just be the role Kate Hudson was born for -- and we mean that as a compliment. Scene-stealing dance instructor Cassandra doesn't pull her punches while whipping Rachel and the rest of the NYADA kids into shape, and that's why we love her. (credit:Fox)
Brienne of Tarth, "Game of Thrones"(13 of20)
Open Image ModalThere were so many amazing new characters in Season 2 of "Game of Thrones," it was hard to narrow it down to one, but since Gwendoline Christie's Brienne spent much of the year being used and verbally abused, and still managed to kick ass and keep herself alive, we're dubbing her "GoT's" most valuable newcomer. (You were runner-up, Davos Seaworth!) (credit:HBO)
Deacon Claybourne, "Nashville"(14 of20)
Open Image ModalHe sings, he writes, he's always the designated driver and he'll take your momma to rehab -- is Charles Esten's Deacon the perfect guy? We're just waiting for Rayna to quit the charade and give in to true love, already! We've also got to give an honorable mention to Sam Palladio's Gunnar, another "Nashville" dude whose crooning gets us swooning every week. (credit:ABC)
The Governor/Michonne, "The Walking Dead"(15 of20)
Open Image ModalThough David Morrissey's imposing Governor masquerades as a kind and benevolent leader for the people of Woodbury, in reality he's a twisted, arguably insane despot. Uncomfortable to watch, yes, but also undeniably compelling. And while Danai Gurira's Michonne has received mixed reactions, we've got to give her an honorable mention for being a katana-wielding badass. (credit:AMC)
BJ, "Ben and Kate"(16 of20)
Open Image ModalSnarky, British and sporting a vaguely obscene name -- Lucy Punch's BJ is the total package, and can usually be relied upon to spout wisdom, nonsense or some delicious hybrid of the two on the quirky comedy. (credit:Fox)
Miles Matheson, "Revolution"(17 of20)
Open Image ModalFrom Bella's mustachioed father in "Twilight" to one of the biggest badasses of 2012 -- not a bad year. Billy Burke's Miles Matheson is a complex, sword-wielding, Han Solo type who is clearly hiding a fuzzy, bromantic center beneath that prickly exterior. What's not to love? (credit:NBC)
Etta Bishop, "Fringe"(18 of20)
Open Image ModalThough we only got five episodes with Georgina Haig's scrappy resistance fighter in 2036, her tentative, gut-wrenching relationships with her long-lost parents and grandfather were the undeniable heart of "Fringe's" final season -- at least until the writers ripped it out. RIP, Etta. We hardly knew ye. (credit:Fox)
Benny, "Supernatural"(19 of20)
Open Image ModalWe had our suspicions about Benny (Ty Olsson) when the season began, but despite the vampire's inglorious beginnings in Purgatory, "Supernatural" has worked its magic on yet another supporting character, helping craft a relatable and sympathetic bloodsucker that we'd love to see stick around. (credit:The CW)
Chummy Browne, "Call The Midwife"(20 of20)
Open Image ModalIt's apt that Chummy's portrayer is called Miranda Hart, because this good-humored and cripplingly insecure midwife is the emotional core of the PBS drama. Chummy's struggles with relatable body issues, familial expectations and a desire to be loved make this period drama undeniably relevant today. (credit:PBS)