From grumpy sofa kings to emotionally complex crime lords, TV dads come in all shapes and sweater vests. They've made us laugh, cry, cringe and occasionally pick up the phone to call our own da.
In honour of Father’s Day, here’s our pick of the most iconic and unforgettable dads to ever grace the small screen.
Gerry Quinn - Derry Girls
Played by: Tommy Tiernan
The most underappreciated man in Derry. Surrounded by teenage chaos and chatty aunties, Gerry is the ultimate long-suffering dad, deadpan, dry, and deeply devoted.
Philip Banks - The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Played by: James Avery
Firm, fair, and full of fatherly wisdom, Uncle Phil wasn’t just a dad; he was the rock of the Banks family and a guiding force for Will. A true TV icon.
Homer Simpson - The Simpsons
Voiced by: Dan Castellaneta
Lovable, lazy, and often wildly inappropriate, Homer is the cartoon dad we all know and, somehow, love. His heart is in the right place, even if he isn't the smartest.
Mick Carter - EastEnders
Played by Danny Dyer
From the Queen Vic to family drama, Mick Carter brought depth to the role of the pub landlord father. His struggles with literacy, his protective nature over his children, and his complex relationship with his own past made him one of soap opera's most compelling father figures.
Jim Royle - The Royle Family
Played by: Ricky Tomlinson
King of the armchair and the sarcastic sigh, Jim is the sofa-bound dad who gave us some of the best deadpan one-liners in TV history. "My arse!"
Tony Soprano - The Sopranos
Played by: James Gandolfini
A mafia boss with a therapist and a soft spot for his kids, Tony was complex, dangerous, and weirdly relatable. Possibly the most compelling TV dad of all time.
Dan Conner - Roseanne / The Conners
Played by: John Goodman
Salt-of-the-earth and flannel-clad, Dan was the heart of the Conner family. He tackled life’s challenges with humour, love, and plenty of dad wisdom.
Ted Lasso - Ted Lasso
Played by: Jason Sudeikis
Part coach, part cheerleader, part philosopher - Ted is the dad who’ll talk feelings and football. His optimism is infectious, his biscuits are legendary.
Red Forman - That '70s Show
Played by: Kurtwood Smith
Gruff and no-nonsense, Red ruled with an iron glare and one famous threat: a foot up someone’s ass. Beneath the bluster? A surprisingly big heart.
Ned Stark - Game of Thrones
Played by: Sean Bean
Honourable to a fault, Ned tried to do right by his family - and paid the price. His legacy looms large, even long after that scene.
Walter White - Breaking Bad
Played by: Bryan Cranston
What starts as a desperate dad trying to provide becomes a dark, explosive journey… that is also extremely illegal and morally murky.
Martin Crane - Frasier
Played by: John Mahoney
Down-to-earth and delightfully unimpressed, Martin brought warmth and reality to his posh sons’ opera-fuelled antics. Dog in lap, beer in hand, he kept it real.
Michael Bluth - Arrested Development
Played by: Jason Bateman
Stuck with the world’s most dysfunctional family, Michael somehow kept (most of) his sanity while raising his son and parenting his own parents.
Johnny Rose - Schitt’s Creek
Played by: Eugene Levy
Elegant, earnest, and emotionally steady, Johnny evolved from fish-out-of-water to father-of-the-year material. Suitcases full of class and compassion.
