10 Best HBO Characters Ever
1. Tony Soprano - The Sopranos
As with Game of Thrones and The Wire, The Sopranos possesses multiple characters capable of filling entries on this list. Edie Falco's Carmela Soprano and Lorraine Bracco's Jennifer Melfi frequently feature in the "greatest character in television history" debate on the strength of their performances in a show that many cite as HBO's pièce de résistance.
With that being said, the greatest character in HBO (if not television) history is James Gandolfini's inimitable gangster and lead protagonist, Tony Soprano. The late, great actor's turn as the legendary crime boss is regarded as his greatest role in a career already littered with stunning performances, one that earned him overwhelmingly positive critical reception on top of countless television accolades and awards. Juggling his rapid rise within the Mafia while he battles his own personal demons, Gandolfini's iconic turn as Tony is an absolute triumph in every conceivable manner.
Even the maddeningly open-ended nature of The Sopranos' ending couldn't take away from the legacy of this monumental performance, one that has stood the test of time, and is regarded as one of the greatest television characters ever conceived and brought to life.
Somewhat poignantly, it's almost impossible to conceive a performance that will ever eclipse Gandolfini's in terms of sheer brilliance.