Top 10 Best Written and Interpreted Characters of the 2000s

Crafting strong characters in any kind of medium is a daunting but essential task for every authors. Doing them justice afterwards as an actor is just as much challenging, especially when the audience has its own vision and expectations beforehand. That being said, some writers and actors succeed at forging not only memorable personas, but iconic, timeproof ones. Characters can truly become inspirations when well written and interpreted. It is no secret ; fiction is for a lot of people a way to escape a reality that is sometimes burdensome to say the least. Here are some of the best characters of the 2000s, in my humble opinion:

Honorable mention (or 11, whatever): Hermione Granger (Emma Watson - Harry Potter saga)

What's incredible with Hermione is that Emma Watson captured her essence as soon as in the first scene she appears in... at 10 years old! She maintained the persona for a whole decade, evolving under our very eyes as an actress and as a character that stayed true to itself all along, growing in maturity as the years went by. JK Rowling and Emma Watson gave birth to a relatable, strong-willed and highly intelligent young woman that we can just adore. Besides the bookworm she is, Hermione shines with compassion and loyalty, while being the trustworthy friend she is. She has strong convictions and isn't afraid to defend them. Emma Watson has been an icon for feminism since then.

10. Kevin Wendell Crumb... and the others (James McAvoy - Eastrail 177 Trilogy)

Seeing James McAvoy disappear in a character that contains a handful of personalities is just as impressing as it is unsettling. Broken, Kevin Wendell Crumb's mind is plagued with dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder (MPD). The way he switches between a young naïve boy, a perfectionist and unstable old woman, an eccentric fashionista, a stoic, orderly father figure, a relentless beast and so many more is a tour de force few actors can pull off so well. M. Night Shyamalan created with Kevin Wendell Crumb one of the most complex character I've witnessed.

9. Peter Parker (Tom Holland - MCU)

It might not be unanimous and I'm aware of it since there has been multiple iterations of the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man , but Tom Holland sure took the mantle and the crown as the definitive one for me. Being part of one of cinema's most ambitious universe/project ever (MCU) may have helped, but the way he captured Peter's wittiness, awkwardness and sarcastic humor is amazing, no pun intended. His version of the teenage web-slinging boy is faithful to the comics, while adding his own layer of carefreeness and glee.

8. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds - Deadpool 1 and 2)

Ryan Reynolds plays the perfect anti-hero. Deadpool is so likeable with his devil-may-care, sarcastic, light-hearted personality. He just doesn't give a f***. Life, even death, is a joke to him. Deadpool is such a comedic relief and a freshness beside all of these serious superhero movies.

7. L (Alessandro Juliani and Kento Yamazaki - Death Note anime series)

Quite frankly, I don't know the first thing about Japanese, so my analysis will be centered around Juliani's version.

L is an eccentric, enigmatic and imperturbable investigator. He's always one step ahead of everyone. He's a very eloquent and smart character. He speaks with such calm and fluidity, his words are perfectly chosen and calculated, like his moves, he sits and eats like a weirdo ; L is both puzzling and likeable. Each time he appears in the series, he's absolutely captivating. We're always wondering what will be his next move, but he's as unpredictable as the wind. Top it with a bit of sass, and we have L, a great character everyone should know about.

6. Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock series)

There has been many iterations of the famous detective, but Benedict Cumberbatch wins it for me. He's infinitely wise, arrogant and spectacular. His version is true to Arthur Conan Doyle 's books while adding a theatrical twist to the mix. His love for Watson makes him a multi-dimensional character. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the ''high-functioning sociopath'' with perfection.

5. Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott - Sherlock series)

Yes, this series is gold and Andrew Scott's Moriarity is a huge part of its success. He redefines the character. His Moriarty is a narcissic master manipulator that wants to prove the world that he can't be bested. One second he's playful, the other he's menacing. His eyes are crazy and his mind is twisted but so efficient. Like his nemesis, he's a bored sociopath. He lives for the chase. He's utterly fearless.

4. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr. - MCU)

Another entry for the MCU. Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark is iconic. Even if he kind of plays himself, RDJ delivers an unforgettable performance that pays the best tribute possible to the late Stan Lee (Rest in Peace, Legend). His interpretation is loved by both the kids and the adults. Witty, show-off, funny ; he basically embodies badassness. Besides Tony Stark's confidence, he's also a sensible guy, one we love 3000.

3. V (Hugo Weaving - V for Vendetta)

The chaotic masked activist played by Hugo Weaving is both the vigilante and the villain, both the artist and the destroyer. He fights for the people, freedom and justice in his own theatrical, slightly anarchist way. Not only the Guy Fawkes mask has become a symbol, it inspired the advent of Anonymous, the contemporary defenders of freedom, justice and democracy. V for Vendetta is still to this day a movie that conveys a relevant, up-to-date, message. V is timeless. He transcends the concept of character. He's an idea, a state of mind.

2. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Carribean franchise)

Extremely rare are the characters we just CAN'T replace. Jack Sparrow is one. He is the soul of the franchise and has marked the collective imaginary forever. Funny, carefree, eccentric, intelligent, emotive and slightly effeminate, he has completely changed the way we see pirates. With his weird, airy movements, his bohemian attire and his iconic one-liners, Jack Sparrow's free mind is a personal inspiration for me. Johnny Depp is one of the last actors on Earth capable of incorporating true Charlie Chaplin-esque burlesque in his acting. He doesn't even need words to be an impressive actor. He's spectacular, he's my favorite.

1. The Joker (Mark Hamill - BTAS, Heath Ledger - Dark Knight, Joaquin Phoenix - Joker)

I know, predictable. The guy's everywhere... for a good reason. Yes he is a psychopath and violence is not to be encouraged, but he's also the symbol of the free-minded and that is what makes him obsessing for many. To be fair, I just had to put those three on the same level, for different reasons.

Mark Hamill's is the unhinged, theatrical, funny and dark criminal mastermind. He's everything The Joker should be. To me, he's THE one.

Heath Ledger's is the embodiement of chaos and anarchy. He has the best points about our flawed society's morals and codes. He's ruthless, infinitely intelligent and crafty, mysterious and eloquent. With his nihilistic nature, he makes us question what's good or not, who's right or wrong. He ''just wants to watch the world burn''.

Joaquin Phoenix is the cautionary tale Joker. His version raises awareness on important, often dismissed societal problems like the lack of mental care funding and the ostracism of those affected by a mental disorder. He's the symbol of a collective cri du coeur from the oppressed of this world.

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- Livier Lefrank