Summary

• Lost featured a captivating ensemble cast with characters that left a lasting impact on viewers.
• Characters like Jack Shephard and John Locke stood out, while others like Claire and Boone fell short.
• Michael's complex journey and Ben's villainous yet human portrayal contributed to Lost's enduring popularity.

Lost’s finale.

Others, like the manipulative Benjamin Linus and the unpredictable Sawyer, generated polarizing reactions with their morally ambiguous actions. The depth and richness of these characters, coupled with their intricate relationships and compelling backstories, contributed significantly to the show's narrative complexity and enduring popularity as a cultural phenomenon. Whether beloved or reviled, the diverse personalities of Lost's main characters remain etched in the collective memory, a testament to the series' lasting impact.

20 Libby Smith

Portrayed By Cynthia Watros

Across the six seasons of Lost were several main characters who appeared later on in the show and made a relatively early exit too, and one of the most standout examples was Libby (played by Cynthia Watros). Libby first appeared in Lost season 2, then was absent for a considerable time before returning in season 6, with a short stint in-between when she was a guest character for a few episodes of season 4.

Libby was one of the memorable main characters in Lost who wasn't part of the central group of crash survivors. She was on the doomed Oceanic flight, but was seated in the tail section. She was instantly loved by fans for several reasons, though the most prominent was due to her charmingly wholesome romance with Hurley. Her early death was one of the most tragic moments in Lost, and her return in season 6 was widely praised, especially given that it revealed a lot more about her backstory prior to the crash.

19 Daniel Faraday

Portrayed By Jeremy Davies

Daniel Faraday is another main character in Lost who, like Libby, wasn't part of the core group of survivors and didn't appear until much later in the show. However, Daniel wasn't on the Oceanic flight at all, and instead made his debut in Lost season 4 as one of the group of scientists airdropped into the island. As expected, once there it became incredibly difficult for Daniel to leave.

While the performance of Jeremy Davies is a key reason Daniel is ed as one of the best main characters on Lost, there are several reasons why he instantly fit into the show and helped carry it through seasons 4-6. He was an expert in time-travel with first-hand experience in it, for example, which made him a fascinating character to watch. His short-term memory loss also made him particularly interesting, and his eventual death was definitely seen as an unexpected (and, for many viewers, unwanted) shock.

18 Miles Straume

Portrayed By Ken Leung

Miles Straume was one of the new Lost main characters introduced alongside Daniel Faraday in season 4. Played by Ken Leung, the character of Miles was created specifically for the actor after the Lost writers saw his incredible performance as a guest star on The Sopranos. Like several other Lost characters, Miles reveals himself to be much more than he seems, and has a number of supernatural abilities (such as being able to touch corpses to learn information about their lives).

Like many of the new batch of characters in Lost season 4, Miles was well-received by fans of the show. Leung was also nominated for several awards shortly after his debut, such as the J.C Penney Asian Exellence Award for Best ing TV actor. Many viewers especially loved Miles for his sarcastic nature, with there being many comparisons to Sawyer since Leung had no shortage of incredibly memorable one-liners.

17 Boone Carlyle

Portrayed By Ian Somerhalder

Played by Ian Somerhalder, Boone was one of the earlier main characters on Lost who, while not perhaps being the most popular, definitely helped establish the overall tone of the show (and that none of the Oceanic flight survivors were guaranteed to make it to the show's finale). Boone Carlyle's short-lived presence on Lost is a clear indication of his lack of depth and significance to the overall narrative.

His character was underdeveloped, failing to capture any interest or sympathy. Boone's storyline was lackluster and predictable, leaving no lasting impact on the series. His early demise was a foregone conclusion, as he contributed little to the plot's progression. The writers' decision to eliminate him so quickly suggests that even they recognized the inherent weakness of his character. Ultimately, Boone's forgettable nature and absence of meaningful growth make him a prime candidate for the bottom of the rankings.

16 Claire Littleton

Portrayed By Emilie de Ravin

Claire Littleton's character arc in Lost is a perplexing and frustrating one. Initially introduced as a pregnant survivor, her development takes a sharp turn after the first few seasons. The writers seemed to struggle with finding a consistent and compelling direction for her story. Claire's abrupt disappearance from the show, followed by her return as a drastically altered, antagonistic figure, felt disted and poorly executed.

This creative choice failed to resonate, as it lacked sufficient buildup or justification. Despite the bold attempt at reinventing her character, the result was ultimately unsatisfying and delivered a character with wasted potential. However, this doesn't change the fact that she's ed fondly by many viewers of the show, especially due to her narrative proximity to Charlie, who remains a fan-favorite character despite his relatively early exit.

15 Shannon Rutherford

Portrayed By Maggie Grace

Shannon Rutherford is one of Lost’s more complex characters. She experienced an incredible amount of character development during her time on Lost, and it did seem that she had much further to go at the point she left the series. Initially portrayed as a self-centered and entitled young woman, her bratty behavior and lack of likability make it challenging to empathize with her. However, as her narrative progressed, Shannon showed time and time again that she was capable of change, and her experiences on the Island were definitely changing her for the better.

Shannon's short-lived presence on the show is both what prevents her from falling into the lowest tier of character rankings and from being considered as one of the best. Her limited screen time and abrupt departure limit the potential for growth and redemption of her character. While Shannon's actions and attitude are far from endearing, her character's brevity saves her from being considered among the worst of the series, as she doesn't significantly detract from the overall narrative.

14 Michael Dawson

Portrayed By Harold Perrineau

Michael Dawson's character in Lost is another complicated one, shaped by his unwavering determination to reunite with his son, Walt. While his actions, driven by desperation, are often questionable and lead to unforgivable consequences, making him a character that viewers no longer relate to, Michael's journey is not without moments of redemption. The actor's real-life experiences and concerns regarding the portrayal of a Black father's response to his missing child add depth to the character's narrative.

Perrineau's objection to the initial script, in which Michael would only inquire about his missing son once, speaks volumes about the actor's commitment to authentic storytelling. "I don't think I can do that," Perrineau asserted, refusing to perpetuate the harmful narrative that "nobody cares about Black boys, even Black fathers" (via Vanity Fair).

Michael's arc highlights the show's struggle to sensitively address issues of race and parental responsibility. Despite the challenges faced both on-screen and behind the scenes, Michael's story serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the lengths a father will go to protect his child, even in the face of personal and moral sacrifices.

13 Walt Lloyd

Portrayed By Malcolm David Kelley

As a young boy thrust into a chaotic and dangerous situation, Walt displays remarkable adaptability and resilience. Played by Malcolm David Kelley, Walt was initially the youngest survivor in the central group of survivors on Lost. This fact alone meant viewers knew he would be one to watch, since hsi youth meant that his narrative was all-but-guaranteed to have plenty of unique aspects.

Walt also managed to win over many Lost fans early on in the show due to the bond he formed with John Locke. However, his character is not without flaws. Like many children his age, Walt exhibits occasional bouts of petulance and immaturity, which can be grating at times. Despite these minor annoyances, Walt's inherent sweetness and unique gifts make him a compelling figure in the series. His mysterious abilities hint at a deeper purpose and untapped potential, making it unfortunate that his character wasn’t given more room to grow and develop.

12 Jack Shephard

Portrayed by Matthew Fox

Despite Lost being a sci-fi TV show with an ensemble cast, Jack Shephard was clearly the main character, embodying the role of a natural leader and skilled physician. Playing Jack is also still considered a career-defining role for Matthew Fox, who it can be argued manged to carry Lost throughout its six seasons by providing a reliable presence to anchor the many strange twists and turns of the narrative. His character is multi-faceted, with a complexity that unfolds throughout the series.

As the de facto guide for the Oceanic 815 survivors, Jack's strong presence and decision-making abilities become the cohesive force that binds the group together. However, Jack's skepticism and reluctance to believe in the island's supernatural elements, particularly in contrast to characters like John Locke, occasionally hinder his growth and understanding. Despite these flaws, Jack remains integral to the show.

11 Kate Austen

Portrayed By Evangeline Lilly

Alongside Jack, Kate (Evangeline Lilly) can arguably be thought of as the hero of the show. However, unlike Jack, Kate has a much shadier backstory that allows her some flexibility when it comes to moral ambiguity — a fact that arguably led to her having the more interesting narrative arcs of the pair. Kate is a character that is often marked by her manipulative tendencies and a penchant for using others to achieve her goals.

This aspect of her personality can be off-putting and makes it challenging to fully empathize with her. However, Lilly's nuanced performance brings depth to Kate, preventing her from becoming a one-dimensional presence. Throughout the series, Kate's character arc is filled with moments of growth and redemption, as she grapples with her past and tries to forge meaningful connections with others. While her actions may not always be likable, Kate's journey is a valuable part of the show.