This show from Aaron Sorkin followed a staff of a news network who decide to present the news to their audiences in a different way than other networks. Anchor Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) had spent his last few years on the air being very careful not to offend anyone and consequently, he never reported on serious and hard news, but everyone is ready to change that.
There are multiple main characters, similar to Sorkin’s other shows, who have a wide array of personalities that allow the audience to form opinions on them through their personalities, how they changed throughout the series, and whether their actions were natural and earned. There are also reoccurring characters that are given enough time to be loved or hated as well.
Like: Neal Sampat
Neal (Dev Patel) is an idealistic character who typically has a happy demeanor around ACN. Although he, like many other characters, sticks to his ideals he also allows for some room to compromise or at least empathetically understand another viewpoint even if he doesn’t agree. His character is one of the only ones who see the potential and of online news platforms, but his excitement also never blinds him to the real danger that they can cause as well. Overall, Neal’s a well-balanced, fun, and engaging character to watch on the show.
Hate: Jim Harper
Jim (John Gallagher Jr.) was a fantastic character at the beginning of the show who was as determined as anyone to stick to their mission to present the news ethically and morally, but the character also never really changed throughout the series. He was never able to compromise on his ideals, which at times is heroic, but can also be problematic. His relationship with Hallie highlighted his condescending nature and he was never fully empathetic toward her own ideals and feelings.
Like: Charlie Skinner
Charlie (Sam Waterston) was truly the mastermind behind the beginning of this show as he was the one who brought back Mackenzie and supported Will after his public outburst. He encouraged Will to follow his passions and convinced him that taking a moral stand when presenting the news would be more beneficial for everyone instead of the way he had been doing it, being nice to everyone just to get ratings. Although Charlie fought with many of the characters, it was always to make them and himself better and he always was there for support when needed.
Hate: Reese Lansing
Although Reese (Chris Messina) finally comes around by the end of the series, he spends most of it trying to ruin Will and ACN. He even went as far as hacking Mackenzie’s phone to give his tabloid magazines inside scoops to take him down, and the ethical issues of this were never fully dealt with. Reese did some good, but a lot of bad, and it was never clear if he fully realized the issues and learned from his past mistakes.
Like: Maggie Jordan
Maggie (Alison Pill) goes through a dynamic change as a character throughout the series that makes her an engaging character to watch. She begins the series as Will’s assistant, not very confident in herself, and doesn’t feel that she’s qualified to do anything at ACN. But, begins to prove herself quickly when Mackenzie gives her a promotion and she delves into the work while learning everything she can. Although a lot of her storyline is tied to a will they/won’t they romance with Jim, she’s still a strong dynamic character.
Hate: Mackenzie McHale
Mackenzie (Emily Mortimer) is a great and strong character, but again, similar to Jim, she allows her ideals to blind her to reality and to any other viewpoint but her own.
Both she and Will argue to a point of destruction that hurts themselves and their employees around them. Although all the characters stand behind and support Mac whenever the network is in trouble, in reality she isn’t an ideal boss.
Like: Don Keefer
Don (Thomas Sadoski) begins the series as a complacent and cynical antagonist who doesn’t immediately buy-in on the plan to change the way ACN presents the news. He begins this way, but goes through a natural and gradual progression and becomes one of ACN’s most ardent advocates by the end of the series. Don’s change throughout the series is earned, makes sense, and is a joy to watch.
Hate: Will McAvoy
Although Will is the main character and most of the events of the series wouldn’t happen without him, he is a difficult character to like due to his harsh and aggressive demeanor. Before Mackenzie came to ACN it was pretty clear that Will was a terrible boss and leader who verbally abused his staff and never bothered to learn their names and when Mackenzie comes back he spends most of his time reminding her that it was her fault that their relationship failed.
Like: Sloan Sabbith
Sloan (Olivia Munn) begins the series as a harsh, emotionless, and strong-willed woman, and while likable at the beginning, she becomes more relatable when she has her softer moments, and she and Don begin a relationship.
Her softer moments where she breaks down or makes mistakes show she’s not a perfect character and that makes her stronger and more engaging of a character because of it.
Hate: Jerry Dantana
Jerry (Hamish Linklater) is an outsider that is introduced to the ACN team in season two as he pushes for a story to be aired. He’s meant to be a villain to the ACN protagonists and is hated because of it. He is tracking down the details of a story that possibly proves that American forces used chemical warfare, but he becomes blinded by believing it is true and manipulates the evidence to prove his hypothesis. His actions have obvious ethical issues and when he’s fired he decides to sue ACN, which makes him even more reprehensible.
