15 Characters across shows who survived against all odds

Television has showered us with countless characters who defy impossible things, against relentless enemies and catastrophic events as well as their internal demons. Such survivors are beyond being heroes, for they are iconical representations of resilience, grit, and determination. They remind us that survival can often require something more than raw strength: wit, courage, and the will to survive. Here we find 15 unforgettable TV characters who have crossed all the hurdles of impossible chances to prove that survival isn't a fight but rather a triumph of spirit.

1. Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)

Jon Snow's resurrection in Game of Thrones made him the ultimate survivor. He was stabbed by his own brothers of the Night's Watch, and the finality of his death seemed inevitable—until Melisandre intervened and brought him back to life. More than that, Jon survived the White Walkers, political betrayals, and familial revelations that could have crushed him. However, his perseverance, loyalty to his people, and sense of honor propelled him forward. And even though he chose exile beyond the Wall in the bittersweet ending, Jon's survival testifies to the unyielding spirit of a man in a brutally harsh world.

2. Eleven (Stranger Things)

Eleven has had her share of near-death experiences. From escaping Hawkins Lab to fighting Demogorgons and Mind Flayers, she has managed to defy all odds to protect her friends and new family. Survival is tied deep into her powers, but it is her unwavering determination that keeps her alive. In Stranger Things Season 4, Eleven travels back to the traumatic roots and has to confront Vecna, the most fearsome villain this series has presented. Despite the unlikeliest of odds, her resilience and love for friends ensured that she survived once more, proving to be the heart of Hawkins' fight against the Upside Down.

3. Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Buffy Summers, the Slayer called for nothing since she literally dies and comes to life multiple times. Her great sacrifice in the Season 5 finale, by jumping into that portal to save the world once again, is the end indeed. But her friends brought her back in Season 6, forcing her to continue with the fight. Although it was a burden to save the world time and again, it was love for her friends and for humanity that sustained Buffy's survival. Her capacity to find humor and compassion even when she faced constant danger made her a very relatable and inspiring hero who truly stood the test of time.

4. Michael Scofield (Prison Break)

Michael Scofield's brilliance was the only thing that saved him in Prison Break. From escaping the supposedly unescapable Fox River Penitentiary to battling life-threatening conspiracies, he relied on his brains to outsmart foes. Season 5 proved that Michael staged his death and survived years of captivity, showing that his strength was not just physical but also emotional. His tearful reunion with Sara and Lincoln proved that his strength wasn't just physical but also emotional. Michael is a character of constant survival against all odds, thus making him one of the smartest and most determined characters on TV.

5. Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Daryl Dixon was not part of Robert Kirkman's original The Walking Dead comics, but survival instincts made him a necessity for the show. Faced with hordes of zombies, rival factions such as the Saviors, and personal losses, Daryl's adaptability and loyalty kept him alive. His rugged survival skills were put to the test when he faced the Reapers and Commonwealth. Daryl's ability to withstand pain and continue fighting not only for himself but for those he loves makes him the ultimate survivor of the show. Fans are eagerly waiting for his adventures in the upcoming spin-off series.

6. Arya Stark (Game of Thrones)

Arya Stark's survival was miraculous. She survived everything: seeing her father executed, leaving Harrenhal, and being trained by the Faceless Men. It all built up to Season 8 when she slew the Night King and saved Westeros. For Arya, survival wasn't about merely living or avoiding death; it was a victory over her fears, using that to transform her into a lethal instrument. By the final episode of Game of Thrones, Arya opted to sail west of Westeros, symbolizing the adventurous spirit that kept her alive throughout one of TV's deadliest series.

7. Walter White (Breaking Bad)

Breaking Bad: Walter White's survival is the epitome of wit and ruthless adaptability. From avoiding the vengeance of Gus Fring to narrowly escaping law enforcement and rival cartels, Walt was usually one step ahead of his peers. It was his diagnosis with cancer that put him in the meth business, but it was the transformation into the feared Heisenberg that would secure his survival. The pivotal moment was when he made his bold ploy with a machine gun to kill Jack Weleler's gang. Though Walt met his fate in the end, his survival until then was a chilling mix of calculated brilliance and desperate luck.

8. Dean Winchester (Supernatural)

Dean Winchester faced death so many times in Supernatural that it almost became a running theme. From the literal trips to Hell and Purgatory to fending off apocalypses, survival was owed more to his skills as a hunter and his love for family. Even when the odds were grim, his bond with Sam and the mission to save humanity gave Dean a purpose to keep going. Although Dean met his demise in the series finale, his legacy as a fighter who has defied death countless times puts him at the top of TV's list of ultimate survivors.

9. Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Supergirl)

As Superman's cousin, Kara Zor-El was meant to experience extraordinary battles. In Supergirl, she battled interdimensional menaces, alien invasions, and personal ones. After losing her home planet, Krypton, and confronting strain as a hero, Kara's resilience and hope kept her going. Her last showdown with Lex Luthor and Nyxly in the series finale demonstrated how it is impossible to take away her level of courage. Kara survived not only on the physical front but also on an emotional one, proving that hope is her greatest superpower.

10. Tommy Shelby (Peaky Blinders)

Tommy Shelby's survival in Peaky Blinders was nothing short of miraculous. Tommy survived World War I trauma and assassination attempts through his own making, as well as betrayal among his ranks, always outsmarting his foes. His intelligent mind and practical ruthlessness would help him wade through very dangerous situations during his encounters with Luca Changretta and Oswald Mosley. In the final episode of the series, Tommy overcame a false terminal illness diagnosis, which marked his ultimate triumph over personal demons.

11. Ragnar Lothbrok (Vikings)

In Vikings, Ragnar Lothbrok was on the edge of death many times as he went from being a farmer to a Norse hero. Be it fighting other kings or surviving treacherous travels, Ragnar Lothbrok managed to survive because of his guile and charm. His greatest survival was during his Paris raid when he was supposed to die. He had been captured in the end, and brought to King Aelle's snake pit to be killed, but his sons and his legacy endured. The life and story of Ragnar are a symbol of survival, ambition, and the power of myth.

12. Clarke Griffin (The 100)

Clarke Griffin survived in The 100 not merely on physical strength but on impossible choices. Whether she was dealing with Mountain Men, an ALIE-controlled City of Light, or surviving Praimfaya, she always fought against the odds. Clarke's defining moment was living alone on a desolate Earth for six years, raising Madi, and battling isolation. Her leadership came at a mighty moral cost, including sacrificing lives to save the human race. In the finale, Clarke survived humanity's final test, but at the price of exile.

13. Kate Austen (Lost)

Kate Austen's survival in Lost was based on her resourcefulness and determination. From surviving the crash of Oceanic Flight 815, Kate was able to survive the mysteries of the island and the battles against the Smoke Monster, the Others, and personal demons from her fugitive past. Her ability to adapt and form alliances ensured her place among the survivors. Whether trekking through the jungle or fighting for her life, Kate's resilience stood out. Finally, her ultimate way out of the island was testimony to her great will to survive and protect the people she cared for, especially Aaron and Jack.

14. Barry Allen/The Flash (The Flash)

Barry Allen, the Flash, survived not on his super speed but on the strength of his heart and his will. From outsmarting the Reverse-Flash to surviving from the multiverse, Barry won over impossible-looking odds. His recent seasons were fought against the natural forces themselves—the wrath of Speed Force and the unraveling of time. Through learning from his mistakes and leveraging his team, especially Iris, he survived. As the Arrowverse came to a close, Barry's journey reminded everyone that hope, teamwork, and love are as powerful as any superpower.

15. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)

Sherlock Holmes survived in Sherlock with the unmatched intelligence and careful preparation he possessed. He did his master stroke by forging his death in "The Reichenbach Fall." Trapped by Moriarty's master stroke, Sherlock even designed a dramatic scheme for taking his own suicide, even when it came to fooling even his closest mates. Time and again, mortal dangers came to him in the form of poisonous cocktails, deadlier assassins with razor-sharp deductions, and stubborn determination. The genius in Sherlock's survival is not only from the brain but also from the fact that he can outsmart anyone, which explains why he is always one step ahead of danger.