It’s the 20th anniversary of one of the most significant days in television history! On September 22, 2004, the first episode of Lost premiered on ABC. J. J. Abrams, Jeffrey Lieber and Damon Lindelof’s creation still ignites debate over 14 years after its conclusion.
Regardless of what you think of the ending, Lost is one of the most popular shows in TV history. On its 20th anniversary, it only feels right to rank my top 10 characters from the entire series.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
#10: Jin-Soo Kwon
Lost is full of fantastic redemption arcs, but only few rival Jin’s.
While his wife, Sun, is initially depicted in a positive light, Jin is introduced as an abusive, unyielding husband. He wants nothing to do with the rest of the survivors and certainly doesn’t want anyone paying attention to his wife. However, as the series progresses, Jin’s humble beginnings are revealed, as well as his kind nature. His devotion to Sun is what turned him into the man we see at the start of the show, hardened by her father’s cruelty.
As Jin rediscovers the joy of living — through some atypical methods — his character begins to flourish. He’s incredibly funny and above all else loyal to Sun. Everything we see over the course of six seasons suggests Jin is more than willing to die for his wife, and ultimately he does, because life wasn’t worth living without her.
#9: Sayid Jarrah
Following my first watch through of Lost, Sayid emerged as arguably my favorite character. After completing the series a few more times, he’s slid down my personal list, but certainly deserves a spot in the top 10.
Tormented internally by his past actions as an Iraqi Republican Guard torturer, Sayid operates with a strict moral compass. He’s also the recipient of frequent Islamophobia directed by his fellow Oceanic 815 survivors. After getting off the island, Jarrah is rewarded for his personal growth with a reunion with Nadia. Unfortunately, nothing gold can stay, as his true love is subsequently ripped from his fingertips in a car accident.
Jarrah’s endless quest for redemption comes to a head when a bomb is discovered on Widmore’s submarine, and he sacrifices himself to save the rest of the crew. A tragic, yet fitting end.
Side note: Naveen Andrews put on a masterclass in each and every episode, his lack of recognition for this role is extremely disappointing.
#8: Jack Shephard
Let’s get ahead of this now. This is a list of the best characters, not the most likable. If we were ranking these people on that scale, the show’s protagonist wouldn’t touch the top 30.
Lost begins with Jack opening his eyes lying among the island’s trees, and it ends with them shutting in the same setting. Love or hate him, this was his story more than anyone else’s… and it was quite the painful one.
Horrible relationships with his father and all of his love interests paired with a nasty oxycodone addiction and relentless skepticism aren’t exactly the winning formula for a fan favorite. However, Jack is a real human being, defined by his faults more than his accomplishments. Of course Shephard didn’t believe he was brought to the island for a reason, everything in his life up to that point suggested he was destined to be dealt a bad hand over and over.
Jack wasn’t fun to watch compared to the other characters on this list, but he kept the group together and grounded the story amidst its never-ending twists and turns.
#7: Charlie Pace
We’re pivoting 180 degrees from one of the least likable characters in the series to arguably the most likable.
Despite only appearing as a regular in Lost’s first three seasons, Charlie is a character that sticks with you throughout the entirety of the story. From a selfish, irredeemable washed-up rock star to an objectively good man, Pace’s redemption arc is full of sacrifice. The best is brought out of him as the surrogate father of Aaron, which is a role he embraces wholeheartedly.
After literally fighting off death on multiple occasions, he does the most selfless thing one could, embracing it for the good of the people. “Not Pennys Boat” is arguably the most heartbreaking moment of the entire series.
#6: Juliet Burke
In Lost, we see many characters struggle to overcome the hardship of the situation they land in. Not Juliet.
Originally a mild-mannered fertility specialist, Burke is tricked into joining Ben Linus’ group permanently. Operating under a monster, she transforms into a fierce, cunning character while never losing that spark of genuine good that drives her actions. She also plays a significant role in transforming Sawyer into the man he is at the conclusion of the series, a feat no one else could have been achieved.
While many characters stumble around looking for the bigger picture, Burke seems ever-aware of the stakes and consequences of her actions. She’s incredibly intriguing as a mysterious presence throughout her introduction, and equally captivating when we see her at her most vulnerable.
#5: John Locke
Arguably the most enthralling character in the entire show, the only reason Locke isn’t higher on this list is because of his unjust demise.
From the moment he wakes following the plane crash, Locke believes in the island. After all, how could he not after regaining use of his previously paralyzed legs? Coming from a truly sad life for a variety of reasons, Locke was unexpectedly thrust into a position of authority. The island seemed to choose him, evident by his ability to see Jacob.
However, time and time again, Lost reminds us that life isn’t fair. Locke deserved far better than the fate he received, dying for seemingly no other reason than becoming a vehicle for the Man in Black.
It’s devastating. It’s symbolic. It’s unbelievably frustrating. It’s John Locke.
#4: Hugo “Hurley” Reyes
We’ve entered truly elite territory with this top four. Hurley is a lot of viewers’ favorite character, and I can’t fault them for that opinion.
Reyes immediately stands out as a moral compass for the show, a role he impressively maintains until its conclusion. He serves as comedic relief more than anyone else, but the depths of his character go much deeper. He’s kind, optimistic, incorruptible and loyal. Life didn’t give him much reason for hope, and even when it did it proved to be a curse, but Hugo never let that shake him.
While Jack, Locke, Sawyer, Ben and others grapple for control, it’s Hurley who establishes himself as the most competent leader by the end of the story, justly earning him the role of protector of the island.
#3: James “Sawyer” Ford
Personally, Sawyer is my favorite character in Lost. However, I have to be as objective as possible, and he’s not the best.
That said, Sawyer is the ultimate example of one of Lost’s prominent themes, which is that redemption can only be found from within. There’s this age-old trope in film and television that in order to truly achieve it, characters have to die. While that’s true for certain people in this show, like Sayid, Jack and Charlie, Sawyer breaks that mold.
Ford begins the story as its most unlikable mainstay. He’s a selfish, bigoted — although incredibly charming — conman who actively takes from others and incites disruption around camp. Like most of his fellow survivors, his backstory justifies who he presents as initially. However, Sawyer proceeds to undergo the most growth of any character in the entire show. He develops into a selfless, competent leader who is ready to put his past behind him and contribute positively to society, which is why he earned the right to survive the finale.
#2: Desmond Hume
Perhaps an upset at the top of this list! Desmond is considered the best character in Lost by a large percentage of fans, and it’s perfectly understandable.
When it comes to character introductions, I would argue there are none better in the history of television than Desmond’s in the opening minutes of Season 2. The mysterious hatch man initially serves as a moral guide to the afterlife for Charlie, ultimately becoming a series mainstay with a clear goal: get back to Penny.
Hume’s relationship with Charles Widmore’s daughter never gets old. Their equally unrelenting devotion earns them a rare happy ending in a show that scarcely handed them out. Desmond is also responsible for one of the most iconic lines in TV history….
See you in another life, brother.
#1: Ben Linus
One character stands amount among the rest.
Ben Linus spends a majority of his time in Lost committing acts so heinous that redemption seems out of reach.
Viewers asked the same question over and over with Ben. Certainly he won’t kill Locke for his own personal gain, right? Certainly he won’t assist in massacring the entire Dharma Initiative, right?? Certainly he won’t let his own daughter be murdered to save his own pride in the feud with Widmore, right???
Time and time again, Ben proved there was no limit to his atrocities, yet we see that twinkle of humanity appear in his eyes on occasion. Deep down, you can tell Linus fully understood the implication of his actions. He just didn’t care.
Above all else, he wanted to be valued. He needed to be special in the eyes of Jacob, and he was punished for that greed. Unlike other characters, Ben never decisively earned redemption. He earned the opportunity to serve under Hurley as protector the island, implying there would be potential for him to right his wrongs, but that is never realized on screen.
In the end, Ben sits outside the church, ushering in others but never joining them. Instead, he sits in reflection of his actions, as we do now all these years later.
