The 20 most wholesome characters on TV

When American football coach Ted Lasso is hired to coach the English soccer team AFC Richmond, he is a fish out of water. The British public and team members ridicule the all-American Lasso, but he remains relentlessly optimistic and kind-hearted. He believes in the good in everyone, has brilliant little pockets of wisdom, and is simply one of the nicest guys around. There’s not a bad bone in his body, and he’s stolen viewers' hearts everywhere.

Charles Boyle isn’t exactly the most brilliant or physically gifted detective in the Ninety-Ninth precinct, but he tries harder than anyone else and has a heart of gold. Always keen to please and help others out, Charles has a lot of love to give, as seen through his admiration for co-worker Jake. There’s nothing Charles won’t do for the people he cares about, even if he probably shouldn’t. To put it plainly, Charles is the human equivalent of a puppy dog.

Endlessly kind and very naive, Rose Nylund is sweetness personified. With her long-winded St. Olaf stories and spaced-out nature, it’s hard not to have a soft spot for Rose. Even though her friends are constantly sarcastic and critical towards her, she doesn’t give it a second thought and is there for them no matter what. If we’re being honest, though, she probably doesn’t even know what they’re talking about, but that’s why we love her.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? A yellow, patty-flipping ray of sunshine. SpongeBob is a guy who’s full of joy and enthusiasm with his happy-go-lucky personality. Thanks to his sunny outlook on life, it takes a lot to get him down. Despite his clumsiness and immaturity, he knows right from wrong, is a hard worker, and goes above and beyond to help others. SpongeBob sees everyone as a friend, including Squidward, who clearly can’t stand him.

As the Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee, Leslie Knope brings energy and cheerfulness to the mundane. With her can-do attitude, she’s up to any task and doesn’t let anybody get in the way. She knows how to take a hit and always stays true to herself. She is endlessly loyal to her co-workers, even though they sometimes try to take advantage of her upbeat nature, and she gives her all to her community.

Despite his lack of smarts, Jason Mendoza has a passion and zest for life despite being dead. Of all the characters in both The Good and Bad Place, he is certainly the warmest and friendliest. Surprisingly, he has deep emotional intelligence compared to Eleanor, Chidi, or Tahani, mostly thanks to his ability to go with the flow. In the end, Jason’s boyish charm and lack of awareness make him so endearing and likable. 

As the title suggests, Kimmy Schmidt is indeed unbreakable. Having spent 15 years trapped in a bunker, Kimmy re-emerges into the world with a sunny disposition and wide-eyed optimism, keen to experience it all. She sees everything through rose-colored glasses and can be pretty naive, but she is also incredibly determined, which makes her quite tough. With her colorful outfits and childlike wonder, you just can’t wipe the smile off of Kimmy’s face.

Previously known as Baby Yoda, Grogu has taken over the internet and melted the hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere. Despite being Force-sensitive, Grogu is still a child and needs protection from his surrogate father, Din Djarin. Like any little one, Grogu can be quite cheeky, eating and touching things he’s not supposed to. Though he’s obviously still growing into himself, Grogu does what he can to protect those around him when they are in danger.

Jake Peralta is one of the Nine-Nine’s best detectives, with an infectious charm and eagerness that manages to win over even Captain Holt eventually. While Jake can be immature, he firmly believes in justice and doing the right thing. He’s a supportive partner to Amy and a wonderful friend to Charles. He always sees the best in people, which can sometimes be his downfall if we’re talking about the multiple times he trusted Doug Judy only to be betrayed.

One of AFC Richmond’s top players, Sam Obisanya is the opposite of your typical football star. Down to earth and patient, Sam isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in and always leaves a positive impact on those around him. Lacking any ego, Sam has a lot of love for his club and family. He’s a true team player and hard worker, which is reciprocated by the respect his teammates have for him. Why can’t all athletes be like Sam?

Sam is not your typical Westeros warrior, but he’s as decent as they come. Forced by his disapproving father to join the Night's Watch, timid Sam doesn’t quite fit in, lacking the physical skills and bravery needed. For this reason, he’s one of the most relatable Game of Thrones characters. However, his book smarts and knowledge go a long way in contributing to the battle beyond the Wall, and he’s the most loyal ally Jon Snow could ask for.

Jess Day is a quirky and bubbly middle-school teacher who is the sole female roommate in an apartment with three men. Socially awkward but completely loveable, Jess brings charm and warmth with her wherever she goes. She’s totally selfless and always looks at the bright side of a situation. Although she’s soft-spoken and has a massive heart, Jess is so appealing because she is always unapologetically herself.

Next-door neighbor to the Simpsons, Ned Flanders is the friendliest man in Springfield. With his signature mustache and green sweater, Ned is a devout Christian and an all-around family man. A loving and nurturing father, he’s the polar opposite of Homer Simpson. While Ned’s devout religiousness and well-mannered nature constantly get on Homer’s nerves, very little bothers him. He’s always there to help anyone and everyone, including Homer.

As the "sugar" ingredient that makes up the three Powerpuff Girls, Bubbles is one adorable little crime fighter. Unabashedly sweet and bubbly, she is the most sensitive and least aggressive of the three sisters, acting as the glue that holds them together. While Bubbles is known as the cutest Powerpuff Girl, she also has a streak of rage that, when activated, releases the fearsome hero inside her. Don’t underestimate her!

As the loving wife of Bob Belcher, Linda constantly supports her husband’s restaurant dream, even if things don’t always go to plan. Outgoing, hilarious, and musical, Linda remains open-minded and is always eager to explore new avenues. As mother to Tina, Gene, and Louise, she’s their biggest cheerleader, consistently fostering and embracing their peculiar interests and phases. She’s the beating heart of the Belcher family and always means well.

As an astrophysicist, Raj is at the top of his field. In the dating world, not so much. Raj has a huge heart and a lot of love to give but is unlucky in love. As an audience, we’re constantly rooting for Raj to find his soulmate, but his awkwardness and tendency to overthink get in the way. Of the four main characters, Raj is the most emotionally intelligent and in touch with his feelings. The guys make fun of him for it, but it makes Raj all the more endearing.

Jack Pearson has easily cemented his status as the best dad on television. Gentle and compassionate, Jack makes sure that Kevin, Kate, and Randall have a childhood full of love, laughter, and comfort. He leaves an enormous legacy behind with his admirable selflessness and touching life lessons. So much so that the three Pearson siblings spend the rest of their lives trying to fill their dad’s shoes and be as incredible of a parent as he was. 

The fan favorite of the Friends ensemble, Joey is essentially a big kid. It doesn’t take much more than a pizza and a football game to please him. Although he is a womanizer and incredibly dim-witted, Joey is the most loyal member of the Central Perk gang. He’s incredibly protective and appreciative of his friends and always prioritizes them. Joey’s not an overly complex guy, but his goofy and sweet nature ends up winning you over.

Despite being a disembodied human hand, Thing is one of the most lovable characters in Netflix’s Wednesday series. As Wednesday’s nifty sidekick, Thing plays a huge part in protecting her and helping to solve the mysterious events at Nevermore Academy. Thing has plenty of humorous little moments, including helping to throw Wednesday a surprise party, and other defining heartfelt moments, such as staying with Enid when she "wolfs out."

Sam is a teen on the autism spectrum who decides it’s time to take charge of his life. Curious, creative, smart, and rational, Sam wants to find himself and seek independence. As he makes the daunting decision to try and find a girlfriend, his determination and courage help him along the way. With his honesty, humor, and passion for penguins and Antarctica, Sam’s desire to find his own way in the world is inspiring, eye-opening, and extremely heartwarming.