As there are so many incredible TV shows available to watch now, it’s not surprising to encounter two characters with surprisingly similar backstories. Whether they’re from the best sitcom of all time or a deep and dark drama, there are some TV show characters whose backstories provide a sense of de ja vu. In fact, some of the best character development in TV shows has influenced other titles and their respective personalities.

Despite inhabiting different fictional universes, some TV characters share strikingly similar origins and journeys. At a glance, these characters’ beginnings can be easily mixed up without specifying which show they are from. However, not every factor about these characters is the same. Their parallels may be executed or impact them in different ways. For example, there are sitcom characters with surprisingly traumatic backstories but others who have uneventful pasts. Whether they are duplicates or simply coincidental, some TV show characters’ backstories are suspiciously familiar.

6

Mike Ross & Jeff Winger

Suits & Community

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  Suits

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  Suits follows Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), who, despite never attending law school, is able to use his photographic memory to become a lawyer. The legal drama ran from 2011 to 2019 for a total of nine seasons and also starred Gabriel Macht, Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty, and Rick Hoffman.

  Cast

  Patrick J. Adams
  , Sarah Rafferty
  , Gabriel Macht
  , Meghan Markle
  , Rick Hoffman
  , Gina Torres
  , Amanda Schull
  , Dule Hill
  , Katherine Heigl

  Release Date

  
  June 23, 2011
  

  Seasons

  9

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  Community

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  Created by Dan Harmon, Community is a comedy series that follows a study group at an unorthodox community college where zany antics occur daily. When disgraced lawyer Jeff Winger is forced to enroll in a local college to get a degree and reinstate himself, he gets roped in with fellow students from different backgrounds, races, religions, and ages and reluctantly forms a study group. Together, these lovable misfits will navigate their school lives in some nigh unbelievable situations as they all try to figure out where their futures lie.

  Cast

  Ken Jeong
  , Chevy Chase
  , Joel McHale
  , Jim Rash
  , Gillian Jacobs
  , Alison Brie
  , Yvette Nicole Brown
  , Donald Glover
  , Danny Pudi

  Release Date

  
  September 17, 2009
  

  Seasons

  6

While they are two different shows, Suits and Community share a common factor in two of their lead characters. Although their first on-screen appearances start at different points in their character journeys, Community’s Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) and Suits’ Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) know what it feels like to hide a big secret for the sake of their careers. They both start in their respective pilots by showing off their legal prowess. However, the link between the two is that neither has the correct degree or qualification to practice law correctly or legally.

In the Community pilot, Jeff forces himself to attend Greendale Community College to get a degree in as little time as possible. He has no shame over his actions, pretending to have attended Columbia until being ratted out by a colleague and disbarred. In fact, Jeff is rather proud of his deception, as are his ex-coworkers. However, in the Suits pilot, Mike is desperate to keep his lies under wraps. He fears that he’ll be caught out and so goes to great lengths to keep his facade intact and avoid Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) discovering the truth.

The main difference between these two characters is how the fallout of their secrets impacts them. Jeff is determined to return to his stylish lawyer ways, but as Community progresses with each season, he starts to see the downside to his past lifestyle. Jeff eventually becomes a Greendale teacher and reevaluates his priorities. Mike, however, doesn’t face the consequences of his actions until several seasons later. Mike Ross is jailed in Suits season 6, and after a stint in prison, he attempts to help people and become a real lawyer despite his fraud being public knowledge.

5

Burt Macklin (Andy Dwyer) & Michael Scarn (Michael Scott)

Parks And Recreation & The Office

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  Parks and Recreation

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  This political sitcom full of humor and heart follows the adventures of Leslie Knope, deputy director of the Parks Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Every week holds a new crisis of small-town politics, but Leslie and her friends work tirelessly to make Pawnee — and the world — a better place.

  Cast

  Amy Poehler
  , Nick Offerman
  , ​Chris Pratt2
  , Aubrey Plaza
  , Adam Scott
  , Rashida Jones
  , Retta
  , Jim O’Heir
  , Aziz Ansari
  , Rob Lowe

  Release Date

  
  April 9, 2009
  

  Seasons

  7

  Directors

  Michael Schur

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  The Office

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  The Office is the U.S. remake of the British comedy mockumentary series of the same name. The show follows the misadventures of a Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania, led by their unconventional and clueless boss, Michael Scott. The series covers nine years of footage as they find themselves recorded through their work days and off times.

  Cast

  Mindy Kaling
  , Jenna Fischer
  , Kate Flannery
  , Ed Helms
  , Craig Robinson
  , Paul Lieberstein
  , Ellie Kemper
  , B.J. Novak
  , Angela Kinsey
  , Oscar Nunez
  , Rainn Wilson
  , Brian Baumgartner
  , Phyllis Smith
  , Leslie David Baker
  , Creed Bratton
  , Steve Carell
  , John Krasinski

  Release Date

  
  March 24, 2005
  

  Seasons

  9

  Directors

  Greg Daniels
  , Paul Lieberstein
  , Paul Feig
  , Randall Einhorn
  , Ken Kwapis

  Expand

Sitcoms are no stranger to ridiculous characters, but some of the best also create hilarious alter egos in their respective shows. The two ideal examples of this are Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) from Parks and Recreation and Michael Scott (Steve Carell) from The Office. The pair are considered to be two of the best TV characters of all time, and their title makes a lot of sense, considering the wild schemes that they and their fictional spy counterparts get into. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell when they are portraying their imaginary characters and when they’re just being themselves.

Andy Dwyer’s Burt Macklin is an FBI agent who throws himself headfirst into any mystery. His love for law enforcement and justice is particularly favored by Andy’s wife, April (Audrey Plaza), and it also leads to a storyline in which Andy pursues a career as a police officer. Michael Scott’s Scarn, however, is a secret agent who tackles large-scale, nationwide espionage. However, both alter egos are sophisticated, confident, and heroic – three qualities that Andy and Michael often lack. The elaborate fantasies the two play out, whether it’s in their heads or for the entertainment of others, are always hilarious.

Michael and Andy’s alter egos are useful to them in times of hope. In the build-up to Michael’s exit in The Office, Michael shows Holly (Amy Ryan) his Scarne movie as a reflection of his past. Holly’s bewildered reaction makes Michael realize that their future is more important than his movie dream. The same can be argued for Andy. While he struggles with being rejected by the force, his love for being Burt Macklin leads to his TV show in season 7, which includes not just the FBI agent but other characters from the depths of Andy’s mind.

4

Walter White & Nancy Botwin

Breaking Bad & Weeds

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  Breaking Bad

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  Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.

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  Weeds (2005)

  Weeds is a dark comedy-drama television series that follows the life of Nancy Botwin, a suburban mother who becomes a marijuana dealer after her husband’s sudden death. Starring Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy, the show explores the complexities of her new career and its effects on her family and community.

The TV shows Weeds and Breaking Bad have several similarities in terms of storylines, but their lead characters are what truly links them together. Breaking Bad establishes the story of high school chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston), who is diagnosed with cancer and gets involved in drug dealing for financial gain. Weeds introduces Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker), a broke mother who starts selling marijuana after her husband’s death. While the pair are on other sides of the narrative, with Walt alive and Judah Botwin (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) dead, their illegal actions are to support their families.

Neither character enters the world of drug dealing with any prior experience. However, Nancy and Walt both align with another character to help them navigate the industry – Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in Breaking Bad, and Andy (Justin Kirk) and Conrad (Romany Malco) fill that type of role in Weeds. As each show develops, Nancy and Walt become consumed with power, and it eventually impacts their families despite that being the last thing either wanted to begin with. Each of them makes morally ambiguous decisions to hide their dealings and let them grow much larger than they initially planned.

For example, Nancy partners with Guillermo (Diaz), and Walt teams up with Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), which allows them both to expand their operations. Both figures also lose the respect of their children as they learn the truth and brilliantly manipulate law enforcement. Walt keeps a close eye on his brother-in-law, Hank (Dean Norris), and Nancy marries Peter (Martin Donovan), both of whom are DEA agents who have moments of corruption. Although every season of Weeds and Breaking Bad is quite different, both characters are greatly impacted by their mistakes, to the point that they are irreversible.

3

Rick Grimes & Joel Miller

The Walking Dead & The Last of Us

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  The Walking Dead

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  Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
   

  Cast

  Steven Yeun
  , Andrew Lincoln
  , Chandler Riggs
  , Laurie Holden
  , Jeffrey DeMunn
  , Sarah Wayne Callies
  , Melissa McBride
  , Norman Reedus
  , Jon Bernthal
  , Iron E. Singleton

  Release Date

  
  October 31, 2010
  

  Seasons

  11

  Directors

  Greg Nicotero

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  The Last Of Us

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  Based on the critically acclaimed video game The Last of Us developed by Naughty Dog, the story of the TV series takes place twenty years after a parasitic fungal infection wreaks havoc across the world that turns humans into zombie-like creatures. Joel (Pedro Pascal) agrees to smuggle a 14-year-old girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) out of a quarantine zone, only to discover she may be the key to discovering a cure. The Last of Us TV series is a collaborative effort between one of the original creators, Neil Druckmann, and the creator of the award-winning HBO series Chernobyl.

  Cast

  Pedro Pascal
  , Bella Ramsey
  , Gabriel Luna
  , Anna Torv
  , Merle Dandridge
  , Nick Offerman
  , Jeffrey Pierce

  Release Date

  
  January 15, 2023
  

  Seasons

  1

  Directors

  Craig Mazin

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) from The Walking Dead and Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) from The Last of Us are similar because they are both complex main characters in post-apocalyptic worlds. Although the events that lead to their first on-screen appearances differ, the heart of their characterization and main motivators are the same. Both Rick and Joel are on a search for their child, biological or not, and to keep them safe from the surrounding outbreak. The two characters spend a lot of time fighting varying types of “zombies” in a destroyed society but wish for their child’s safety.

Joel unfortunately loses his daughter, Sarah (Nico Parker), at the beginning of the outbreak, making him a cold and pained character when he meets Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Rick, however, wakes up from a coma after everything turns to chaos and begins searching for his son, Carl (Chandler Riggs). When the pair finally cross paths with their offspring, their ultimate goal is to keep them alive. Along the way, Joel and Rick both find themselves pushed into leadership positions, whether reluctantly or confidently. The loss and trauma they face in their shows shape them and the parent-child relationships they have.

Rick and Joel’s protective instincts sometimes cause them to make morally questionable decisions. Being clouded by their love for their kids creates devastating results at times, too. Joel saves Ellie in The Last of Us season 1 ending, despite knowing that it’ll doom humanity’s chance for a cure. In The Walking Dead, there are multiple occasions when Rick is ruthless for the sake of protecting Carl and the other survivors, such as his ambush of the Governor (David Morrissey) in The Walking Dead season 4. The pair are motivated by being parental figures, proving them to be rather dangerous individuals.

2

Malcolm Wilkerson & Sheldon Cooper

Malcolm In The Middle & Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory

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  Malcolm in the Middle

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  Malcolm in the Middle tells the story of an average dysfunctional American family. When Malcolm, one of four children, learns that he possesses a genius-level intellect, his whole young world is turned upside down. Still desperately trying to fit in with his friends and family despite his extraordinary gifts, Malcolm finds that though his life might have changed, it’s still just as chaotic as ever.

  Release Date

  
  January 9, 2000
  

  Seasons

  7

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  Young Sheldon

  A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.

  Release Date

  
  September 25, 2017
  

  Seasons

  6

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  The Big Bang Theory

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  The Big Bang Theory first premiered on CBS in 2007 and became one of its era’s most popular and longest-lasting network sitcoms. Running for 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory focuses on a group of self-proclaimed nerds, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Howard (Simon Helberg), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), who form an unlikely friendship with their new neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco). The series became a ratings giant and took home multiple Emmys. The Big Bang Theory was so successful that it ended up spawning a spinoff titled Young Sheldon, which has also become one of CBS’ most popular sitcoms.

  Release Date

  
  September 24, 2007
  

  Seasons

  12

Malcolm Wilkerson (Frankie Muniz) from Malcolm in the Middle and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) from The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon are both child geniuses. The two characters face tough expectations from their loved ones and peers, but they still manage to prove their smarts effortlessly. Malcolm and Sheldon’s out-of-this-world knowledge sets them apart from other kids their age, but especially their families. Both characters have siblings that they consider to be less clever than them, especially Malcolm’s brother Reese (Justin Berfield) and Sheldon’s twin sister Missy (Raegan Revord). Their parents don’t always understand them but are supportive anyway.

While their intelligence isn’t an uncommon characteristic in TV show characters, there are several other contributing factors. Sheldon and Malcolm experience bullying for their social status and brain power but are often saved by Reese and Georgie (Montana Jordan), who are usually the ones to start it in the first place. The Wilkerson and Cooper families also live on limited funds, and although Malcolm in the Middle discusses this more than Young Sheldon does, money is often a stress. Another problem the two families have is that other siblings are frequently overlooked because Sheldon and Malcolm’s educations take precedence.

Although Sheldon is seen in his adult years in The Big Bang Theory, Malcolm is yet to be introduced as an adult. How the child genius turns out is unclear, but it is an unanswered question Malcolm in the Middle’s revival can tackle. The one major contrast between the two characters is that Malcolm is a lot more socially adept than Sheldon. Malcolm’s ability to communicate with others is something Sheldon doesn’t possess at any age. Despite the two interestingly sharing similar childhoods, it’ll be interesting to find out whether Malcolm’s bizarre coming-of-age story impacts the rest of his life.

1

Eleven & River Tam

Stranger Things & Firefly

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  Stranger Things

  Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.

  Release Date

  
  July 15, 2016
  

  Seasons

  4

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  Firefly

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  Set in the year 2517, Firefly follows the crew of the Serenity, a smuggling ship operating on the fringes of Alliance space. Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) is a veteran of a civil war, bitter about having fought for the losing side and now making his living as an outlaw smuggler out among the distant colonies forgotten and ignored by the Alliance. However, after taking on paying passengers, Mal finds himself caught up in a conspiracy likely to bring the whole Alliance military down on him and his crew. 

  Release Date

  
  September 20, 2002
  

  Seasons

  1

Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) from Stranger Things and River Tam (Summer Glau) from Firefly are both characters with special abilities who play important roles in their stories. The two are the results of government experiments and brainwashing that give them supernatural capabilities, but how they are revealed differs. Eleven’s abilities are first seen in the Stranger Things pilot as she escapes the lab, but she is born with them. In contrast, River only gains hers after being sent to The Academy as a child prodigy. One common link between the two characters is that they use their strengths for protection.

In their first seasons, River and Eleven are on the run from the government and avoid being recaptured. The emotional distress they face is a direct consequence of their psychic abilities, especially as they struggle with their identities. For example, Eleven has yet to learn who she is outside of the experiments, so she seeks out her fellow Stranger Things number experiment, Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), or Eight. Firefly’s episode “Objects in Space” focuses on River’s turmoil and how she feels unwelcome on the ship because of her powers. While their backstories are similar, the nature of their talents differs significantly.

Eleven uses telekinesis to move objects with her mind, such as closing the interdimensional gate to the Upside Down. She can also perceive the thoughts and memories of others using telepathy, which she demonstrates in interactions with Kali. River, however, is gifted with enhanced intelligence and extraordinary combat skills. River in the Firefly movie Serenity uses these skills especially well. She is also psychic, but it is not as developed or controllable as Eleven’s telepathy. Even though Eleven’s powers in Stranger Things are supernaturally related and River’s are more scientific, both are crafted by strange experiments that damage them permanently.