Resident Alien is packed with memorable characters who make the story what it is, but some are better than others. Shows like Resident Alien often thrive on the strength of their characters, and Alan Tudyk’s Harry Vanderspeigle and company don’t disappoint in that regard. Although the core Resident Alien cast remains largely the same, certain figures come and go who also deserve as much praise as the show’s mainstays.
Being an even blend between comedy and drama, Tudyk’s sci-fi show is populated with characters who are capable of making the audience feel a wide range of emotions. As such, casting those characters is a difficult task, but it’s one that Resident Alien pulled off brilliantly. There are so many great characters in the show that it’s impossible to include them all in a list like this, so honorable mentions go to Meredith Garretson’s Kate Hawthorne and Linda Hamilton’s General Eleanor McCallister.
10
Peter “The Alien Tracker” Bach
Played By: Terry O’Quinn
After debuting in “Welcome Aliens” near the end of season 1, Peter Bach became a notable part of the show’s story. Known by his fans under his alias, the Alien Tracker, O’Quinn’s character is a celebrity among Resident Alien‘s Ufology community, and he’s played with just the right amount of gravitas. While he does have a few funny-ish moments, Peter is one of the few rare examples of a pretty serious Resident Alien character.
Peter Bach has also been played by Dylan Sloan, when the character’s heartbreaking past and ensuing origin story have been shown via flashbacks.
Peter Bach has also been played by Dylan Sloan, when the character’s heartbreaking past and ensuing origin story have been shown via flashbacks. Although he was believed to have been killed in action while saving his now-adult son in season 2, Peter Bach returns near the end of Resident Alien season 3 after being significantly augmented with government tech.
9
Heather
Played By: Edi Patterson
Most of Resident Alien‘s best characters have been part of the show since the beginning, but Heather made her debut quite late. Despite appearing in just 4 of Resident Alien season 3’s 8 episodes, Edi Patterson’s character made an immediate impact as she became Harry’s first proper love interest. While defined mostly by her connection to Tudyk’s character, Heather is also a great figure in her own right.
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Like Harry, Heather has two forms – her Blue Avian body, and a human disguise. Flitting between these two versions of the character allows Patterson to fully explore Heather’s quirks, and she’s the perfect scene partner for someone as bizarre as Harry Vanderspeigle. She also helped massively expand Resident Alien‘s canon when she made her entrance, as how the universe works away from Earth had long been something of a mystery.
8
Max Hawthorne & Sahar Karimi
Played By: Judah Prehn & Gracelyn Awad Rinke
It would be unfair to separate Max and Sahar, as they’re pretty much attached at the hip, and their exploits are often so rewarding because of their great dynamic. While Sahar is the brains of their operation, Max’s genetic ability to see through alien disguises makes him something that approaches the status of an equal partner in their ongoing mission to investigate extraterrestrial goings-on.
Sahar has professionalism beyond her years, and Max is a lovable doofus whose bravery matches that of his best friend.
Sahar has professionalism beyond her years, and Max is a lovable doofus whose bravery matches that of his best friend. The two remind me of a comical take on The X-Files‘ Mulder and Scully, although a lot of creative liberties have been taken if it was ever Resident Alien‘s attempt to reference the iconic sci-fi show. Their presence can often elevate any scene with their humorous bickering and half-baked plans.
7
Asta Twelvetrees
Played By: Sara Tomko
There is a strong case to suggest that Asta is the most important character in Resident Alien. It was her kindness and her willingness to befriend Harry that eventually led to his decision not to destroy the Earth. So, without her, there would be no more humans left standing within the show’s canon. That said, it would be disingenuous for this to give her a place her at the top of a lift like this.
Asta is great, but there are funnier characters than her, as well as those whose stories are more rewarding from an emotional standpoint. So, she ends up as a pretty middle-of-the-road character, but only because there are so many great personalities in Resident Alien‘s fictional town of Patience, Colorado. In another show, where she had less competition, she could easily rank far higher.
6
Joseph Rainer
Played By: Enver Gjokaj
As a Grey/human hybrid, Joseph entered the story as a villain, and Gjokaj initially played the character in an intensely serious way. Gradually, he became a brilliant source of laughter while still contributing to the show’s high-stakes narrative. He always seems to be at the fringes of the larger story, but he also somehow manages to be incredibly memorable and pulls the strings from the shadows.
I think Joseph’s appeal would be reduced if he ever became a true focal point, but I’m fine with enjoying the amazing contributions he is able to make.
Joseph’s limited involvement in Resident Alien season 2 was still enough for him to appear in almost every episode of the following run. He ultimately becomes a vital ally to Harry Vanderspeigle and his friends, although their updated dynamic begins as an uneasy alliance that isn’t short of laughs. Unfortunately, I think Joseph’s appeal would be reduced if he ever became a true focal point, but I’m fine with enjoying the amazing contributions he is able to make.
5
Ben Hawthorne
Played By: Levi Fiehler
Patience’s young and neurotic mayor always seems to be in the right place at the wrong time, making it appear that he’s not really that great at his job. As one of Resident Alien‘s more grounded characters, Ben is actually more connected to the show’s extraterrestrial elements than many of his constituents and other characters who are more openly tied to the world of aliens.
Ben was the second Resident Alien character to narrate the show, although he did so only briefly.
Ben’s more negative traits come from being abducted by Resident Alien‘s Grey Aliens from a young age. While this is actually a pretty harrowing arc for him, whether he’s aware of it or otherwise, it’s what leads to many of Ben’s funniest or most interesting moments. He rarely makes me laugh by trying to be funny. Instead, it’s his over-the-top reactions to things that allow Fiehler’s character to be hilarious, but the show never forgets to revisit his dark past.
4
Deputy Liv Baker
Played By: Elizabeth Bowen
Liv is Patience’s biggest unsung hero. While she’s “only” the town’s deputy, the work she does to keep everyone safe often surpasses the efforts of Sheriff Mike Thompson (Corey Reynolds). I don’t think I’ve ever seen a character with more patience than Liv, and she doesn’t act out when she doesn’t get the credit she so very much deserves. Her slow-burning character growth into a more confident and self-assured person is one of the best arcs in Resident Alien.
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While most of the characters in Resident Alien only gradually begin to become aware of extraterrestrial life as the show goes on, Liv is one of the rare few who studies UFOs from the very beginning. She’s initially viewed as a conspiracy theorist, and this isn’t helped by her own admission that she’s never seen an alien with her own eyes when pushed on her hobby in her earlier appearances. Still, the fact that she turns out to be right is very satisfying.
3
D’arcy Bloom
Played By: Alice Wetterlund
D’arcy’s quest to give her life meaning since being forced to retire from skiing is an emotional and all-encompassing journey for Alice Wetterlund’s character. At the beginning of Resident Alien, D’arcy feels like she’s been included as a purely comedic presence. Given Wetterlund’s background in stand-up comedy, this perhaps isn’t a surprise. Eventually, it becomes clear there is far more to D’arcy than the brilliant quips she’s always firing off.
I’ve loved watching D’arcy face her demons throughout Resident Alien, and continuing to do so even when things get tough.
I’ve loved watching D’arcy face her demons throughout Resident Alien, and continuing to do so even when things get tough. What I find so great about her journey is that she continues to find humor in pretty much everything that she struggles with. She never loses sight of who she is, even when the matter of how she sees herself is being heavily addressed.
2
Harry Vanderspeigle
Played By: Alan Tudyk
Tudyk plays both the original Harry and the alien that stole the human character’s life. The new Harry is obviously the one I’m talking about here. It’s often an easy thing to place a show’s protagonist near the top of a list like this, and Harry is no different. Tudyk’s brilliantly bizarre portrayal of Harry is what Resident Alien lives and breathes by, and it’s impossible to imagine the show without him in it.
Harry pairs well with any other character on the show.
Despite his sheer irreverence, Harry still manages to have incredibly emotional moments that sit at odds with his funny scenes. He’s also often the doorway into Resident Alien‘s larger universe, as he’s one of the few characters who know what’s going on away from Earth. Harry pairs well with any other character on the show, which is a rare feat even for some of the greatest sci-fi TV characters ever.
1
Sheriff Mike Thompson
Played By: Corey Reynolds
I enjoy every single scene with Sheriff Mike, and I feel like I’m always waiting for him to come back onto the screen. Almost every line out of his mouth is comedy gold, he’s never afraid to speak his mind, and even openly ignores when certain sentiments are inappropriate. Of course, Mike wouldn’t be a Resident Alien character without some kind of tragedy woven into his story, and the death of his former partner fulfills that particular requirement.
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Mike is also one of the best examples of character growth within the show, although he also remains true to himself. He begins as a frustrating sheriff who is always convinced he’s right about everything, and quite often fails to acknowledge the impact of this attitude. As Resident Alien progresses, Mike becomes something that could be interpreted as approachable, and even gradually starts to concede certain beliefs he once had set in stone.
Resident Alien
- Release Date
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January 27, 2021
- Network
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USA Network
- Showrunner
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Chris Sheridan
