12 New TV Characters We Can't Wait To Meet In 2017

From a piece of the Marvel puzzle to a God, a lot of incredible characters are on their way. 

2017 has already given us some great TV shows, and within them a few truly memorable characters.

We've had Neil Patrick Harris' theatrical villainy as Count Olaf in A Series of Unfortunate Events; Drew Barrymore's cannibalistic estate agent Sheila in Santa Clarita Diet; Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange bringing to life Joan Crawford and Bette Davis; and all the weird and wonderful characters in Noah Hawley's Legion.

Next up we've got Jessica Henwick's Colleen Wing, who manages to provide one of the few bright sparks in the rather lacklustre Iron Fist. And that's just the start of the year.

The rest of 2017 promises a number of really exciting TV shows, and a big reason for the hype comes from the people we'll see in them. As well as returning favourites, from Tyrion Lannister to the long-missing Agent Cooper, there's a host of potentially brilliant fresh characters, from new creations to adaptations, with a range of emerging talent and acting vets behind them.

Honourable Mention: The New Doctor - Doctor Who

Doctor Who Question
BBC

Given Doctor Who Series 10 hasn't started yet, it's no surprise that we still don't know who the next inhabitant of the TARDIS will be (we have some suggestions here), hence why it only gets an honourable mention.

Once the actor is confirmed - and so far betting has ranged from Tilda Swinton to Kris Marshall, which doesn't offer much in terms of clues towards their thinking - excitement will (hopefully, though it depends) ramp up, because as great as Capaldi is, a fresh start under Chris Chibnall will be welcome.

12. Ruth - G.L.O.W.

The Punisher Jigsaw
Netflix

Netflix are turning the real life promotion Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling into one of their next new TV series, which will follow a bunch of Hollywood hopefuls trying to get their break via the world of wrestling.

The colourful characters and storylines should make for an entertaining comedy drama, as should the fact that it comes from various minds involved with the great Orange is the New Black, including that series' creator Jenji Cohan.

Best of all, though, is that it will star Alison Brie in the lead role. She'll play Ruth, a down-on-her-luck actress in LA who "finds one last chance for stardom when she’s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of women’s wrestling."

Brie has proven she can brilliantly deliver offbeat comedy in Community, and handle more dramatic fare with an excellent supporting turn on Mad Men, while both serve as a showcase for her immense likability.

She should be able to bring all of that to Ruth, which in turn will help make the show eminently watchable, and seeing Brie lead a series again two years on from Community and Mad Men both ending is an enticing proposition.

Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.