Red Dwarf: Every Major Character Ranked From Worst To Best

An example of patient character development before that was expected of a TV sitcom, the evolution of Arnold Rimmer over two plus decades on our screens might be Red Dwarf’s finest achievement. Rimmer starts life as a cowardly amoral careerist, and he basically winds up in the same boat, but the subtlety of his evolution is a masterstroke.

Rimmer is revived as a hologram in episode one through sheer proximity to the human Lister, but he becomes a major mover and shaker in the galaxy, reinventing himself as a swashbuckling hero alter ego, visiting the far reaches of the universe, and dicing with death far more often than his squirrely disposition would prefer.

Chris Barrie’s masterful performance keeps Rimmer grounded throughout - it’s a brilliantly broad portrayal of a character as relatable as a Brent or Partridge, the disingenuous careerist with ideas way above his station.

And yet, Rimmer gets better, through the power of - what else? - friendship. The highfalutin, wild saluting hologram should be about the most loathsome creation in sitcom history, but his inability to help himself and childlike ineptitude, along with his ludicrous temper, makes him a golden comedy creation.