Unforgettable Narcissists of the Small Screen
Many beloved television characters are larger-than-life, but some, the narcissists, are extra-extra when grabbing the spotlight and not letting go.
Every TV show genre features at least one thoroughly self-satisfied character who would be insufferable in real life but is a delight onscreen.
They might not literally hog the mirror like their namesake, Narcissus, but they fully occupy our attention whenever the camera is on them.
All the world’s their stage, and they seriously believe that the world is better off for it.
The TV Fanatic team collected their favorite examples of these supremely self-absorbed characters who think they’re exceptional — and we agree!
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Ava Coleman, Narcissist — Abbott Elementary
It’s fitting that Ava is the principal of Abbott Elementary because she is also the central authority figure in every room she enters.
Ava may view her long-suffering staff as simply the supporting cast of her one wild and precious life, but really, why wouldn’t she?
She infuses a high level of glamour into her surroundings no matter where she is and can charm anyone from city officials to club bouncers.
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She’s hilarious, even if her humor tends to punch down sometimes.
However, she is also capable of self-reflection and is willing to correct her mistakes — as long as it’s her idea!
Ava’s outsized vision of herself shapes her expansive life, and we can’t help rooting for her (even if we hope she doesn’t make a cutting comment).
Beth Dutton, Narcissist — Yellowstone
The apex narcissist and reigning queen of the Yellowstone Dutton family ranch, Beth is a barely contained maelstrom of anger, manipulation, and unpredictability.
Her luxe cowgirl-core outfits and appreciation of a good glass (or six) of bourbon are splashy indulgences when she’s not plotting the much-deserved downfall of her brother Jamie or meeting up with on-again, off-again love interest Rip Wheeler.
Beth is a baffling blend of femme fatale, wounded teenager, and ruthless business mogul. She operates on her own schedule and has a moral playbook written in disappearing ink.
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She is electrifying to watch, and when her warped code of honor aligns with traditional notions of right and wrong, it’s a rush to watch her exact justifiable revenge in creative ways.
But then she will just as quickly perform a random act of cruelty that’s truly hard to watch.
Through it all, Beth believes she is right in just about everything. And when it comes to business, she’s usually correct.
If anyone can keep this ranch going it’s her; one day we’ll all realize that and let her get on with it!
Tony Soprano, Narcissist — The Sopranos
Tony embodies the lack of self-awareness that’s so common among narcissists.
He says he admires the “strong, silent” Gary Cooper type, but he’s the kind of guy who makes it everybody’s problem when he’s having a bad day. He despises his mother and Uncle Junior while failing to recognize that he possesses many of their worst traits.
The Sopranos is rife with brilliant comedic moments, but Tony’s story is ultimately tragic.
By failing to recognize the need for fundamental change in his life — even after countless sessions with a gifted therapist — he transfers his suffering to others. He allows his pain to metastasize into a family curse.
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We might not know precisely what happens to Tony after he finishes that basket of onion rings in the show’s finale.
But we know what becomes of people like him, not to mention their loved ones.
And that’s enough to leave us feeling as empty as the infamous black screen at the series’ conclusion.
Tanya McQuoid, Narcissist — The White Lotus
Tanya is the stupendously wealthy and highly medicated connoisseur of The White Lotus, a high-end hotel chain, who inadvertently wreaks havoc at each location she visits.
To describe her as a bottomless pit of need would be… accurate.
Tanya exemplifies narcissism by being utterly oblivious to the emotions or even the existence of people around her.
She also forgets promises made to them at the moment, like when she bails on helping fund Belinda, the spa manager’s business plan, in Season 1.
There’s a sweet, childlike vulnerability to Tanya’s demeanor that is charming and fools people into trusting her more than they should.
She’s far too self-absorbed to be truly evil and is kept docile in any event by her copious drug use.
Related: The White Lotus Season 3: Parker Posey, Michelle Monaghan Join Cast as Show Charts New Course Post-Jennifer Coolidge
Despite a harrowing past, Tanya lives in the moment, which gives her such hyperfocus and can make those around her feel like they are the only people in her world.
But that person will only and ever be Tanya herself.
Still, she is incredibly entertaining, always dresses completely over the top, and has flashes of perception that almost redeem her.
Owen Strand, Narcissist — 9-1-1: Lone Star
Owen Strand is so annoyingly self-involved. He gives the term narcissist new meaning.
You could say many not-so-flattering things about this Austin, Texas, firehouse captain, not that he’d agree with you about any of them.
He thinks he’s the male version of Malibu Barbie, for starters.
He can’t stay within an inch of his job description because he thinks he should be able to do it all and is too self-important.
He definitely has an overly complicated skincare regimen.
But, c’mon: LOOK AT HIM!
If anyone on this list can be forgiven for enjoying mirrors a bit too much, it’s the deeply heroic and symmetrical Captain Strand.
Dexter Morgan, Narcissist — Dexter
One of the original TV narcissists, Dexter Morgan is smart enough to realize that his superiority complex might be off-putting to the people around him.
Since most of those people are also in law enforcement, he knows that their suspicion will only slow down his serial killing body count.
Dexter is a jumble of justifications, all of which sound good in voiceover but tend to shift as needed for various situations.
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He does have the track record to back up his high opinion of himself, always escaping detection at the very last second.
Dexter’s facility in mimicking appropriate human emotions and facial expressions is first and foremost a self-preservation skill.
But there’s also a wistfulness behind it that provokes empathy, even if it’s faked.
Jenna Maroney, Narcissist — 30 Rock
The Main Character of her life and yours, Jenna never met a promotional opportunity that was too small to book or a friend’s back that was too big to stab.
This narcissist is obsessed with fame and cannot understand why the world has yet to recognize her stratospheric fabulousness as a singer and actress.
Jenna views her coworkers and friends as a dress rehearsal audience more than real people.
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Her relationships are transactional and shallow, but she’s too busy scheming for her next big break to notice.
That said, Jenna has a sharp, biting wit that sometimes surprises her. And even though she is utterly convinced of her talent, she works hard to hone her craft.
Supremely confident and show biz savvy, Jenna almost gives narcissists a good name!
What narcissists of the small screen would you have chosen? Let us know in the comments!
