15 Greatest HBO Characters Of All Time

Some characters are great because they give you a glimpse into a lifestyle you'll never encounter in reality. Some are great because their flaws and foibles hit so close to home, they reflect your own issues back at you. Some, you'd just love to hang out with. And then, there are characters that combine all three, like Sex And The City's Samantha Jones.

Some elements of SATC may have lost their shock appeal these days – some may even ring a little corny. And yet, generations of young women continue to be enthralled by Samantha, the cocksure and unapologetic wild card of the ensemble comedy classic. The show never feels it necessary to judge Samantha's actions, nor explain them, and they did what the vast majority of sex comedies fail to do – evolve this type of character beyond the archetypal comedy slut.

The brilliance of the character, and Kim Cattrall's performance, is in her depth, her insistence on being more than a cliché. Would you want your child to take on her life decisions? Maybe, maybe not. But there's no doubt each of us could take inspiration from her doggedness, confidence, loyalty, and unerring self belief.