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For Sale Apr 13, 2026 at 2:34 PM

Who’s the most believable authority figure in TV?

Posted by Shot-Club-3882

You know, actors who just have that presence where the moment they’re on screen, you don’t question who’s in charge, you just accept it. Mine’s a short list: Ron Rifkin Angela Basset Both in Alias. Curious who else gives that same energy. Thoughts?
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tagen Apr 13, 2026 +75
Lance Reddick (RIP) in anything he’s in, but let’s say The Wire and Fringe
75
BIGD0G29585 Apr 13, 2026 +14
Don’t forget Reddick as Irving in Bosch.
14
jcargile242 Apr 13, 2026 +10
Nobody could say “bullshit” like him.
10
Captain_Aceveda Apr 13, 2026 -2
He was a Alpha.
-2
stereoroid Apr 13, 2026 +64
Martin Sheen in *The West Wing*. Over 25 years since the show started, he still gets people asking when he's running for President.
64
Kazen_Orilg Apr 13, 2026 +20
He's already served two terms, he's not eligible. People are so stupid, smh.
20
Sitheref0874 Apr 13, 2026 +7
John Goodman as President Walken as well.
7
0ttoChriek Apr 13, 2026 +10
And John Spencer in the West Wing. Whenever Bartlet wasn't in the room, it was clear that Leo was in charge. He was perfectly cast as the bulldog, savvy political operative, chief of staff.
10
TroublesomeTurnip Apr 13, 2026 +2
Immediately came to my mind too.
2
Maurers95 Apr 13, 2026 +1
Oh! I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, especially these days!
1
R3miel7 Apr 13, 2026 -2
I personally do not find West Wing believable at *all*. The past ten years have been an abject lesson in how making good arguments means *nothing* in the face of reactionary power and billionaire dollars
-2
stereoroid Apr 13, 2026 +1
There was definitely an element of non-partisan fantasy. Republicans and Democrats actually communicating and compromising? Delulu. But that wasn’t the OP’s question.
1
Marvel_v_DC Apr 13, 2026 +59
Andre Braugher was amazing in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I would be thrilled to have a boss figure like him in my life!
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trugbee1203 Apr 13, 2026 +7
Captain dad!
7
EchoesofIllyria Apr 13, 2026 +5
How on earth is Captain Holt believable?
5
Bored_Worldhopper Apr 13, 2026 +2
He starts out believable But yea by the end not so much
2
OkayAtBowling Apr 13, 2026 +1
I mean based on the qualities in OP's post I think he qualifies: > actors who just have that presence where the moment they’re on screen, you don’t question who’s in charge, you just accept it. But yeah, in terms of *actual* believability, it's going to be hard to have any character from a comedy show that fit that bill.
1
econ45 Apr 13, 2026 +2
Have you seen him when he was younger, as Pembleton in Homicide? He was riveting - the show was not bad, a precursor to the Wire but more procedural; it was his performance that kept me watching. Maybe not an authority figure in that role, but a very compelling character.
2
Marvel_v_DC Apr 13, 2026 +1
Oh, I didn’t, but now I would like to watch him as Pembleton in Homicide. I really like Andre Braugher, and I also adored him in The Good Fight. It was a sad day for me when I learned about his demise!
1
Gilshem Apr 13, 2026 +25
Edward James Olmos as William Adama.
25
Atharaphelun Apr 13, 2026 +12
Conversely, Mary McDonnell as President Laura Roslin.
12
Gilshem Apr 13, 2026 +10
Complimentarily, even.
10
Premislaus Apr 13, 2026 +2
The fracking teacher?
2
econ45 Apr 13, 2026 +1
And as Captain Castillo in Miam Vice.
1
newblevelz Apr 13, 2026 +21
Charles Dance in anything
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ToxethOGrady Apr 13, 2026 +15
Dr Robby  Mike Erhmantrout
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keystone_lite Apr 13, 2026 +31
Avasarala from The Expanse!
31
Atharaphelun Apr 13, 2026 +20
*"Holden, do not put your d*** in it. It's fucked enough already."*
20
ascagnel____ Apr 13, 2026 +6
The best part of the Amazon seasons was that Avarsarala was allowed to use her full vocabulary. 
6
Krinks1 Apr 13, 2026 +6
I remember seeing an interview with her. She said she loved being let loose when it came to the swearing. My favorite was when she called the president's chef and he's like, "Ma'am, I'm the chef.". She responds with, "I'm not a f****** idiot...I know who I'm calling."
6
tagen Apr 13, 2026 +3
holy c*** that woman was amazing, i only read the first 6 books i believe but she was by far my favorite character (followed by Amos/Miller, then an even bigger gap lol)
3
grove_tower Apr 13, 2026 +11
Lance Reddick, easily. As Daniels in The Wire or Broyles in Fringe, he walks into a room and everyone’s spine straightens. Rewatch any Broyles briefing scene, it’s pure command.
11
iLikeSaints Apr 13, 2026 +11
Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard.
11
VaderBinks Apr 13, 2026 +21
Red Foreman
21
Shot-Club-3882 Apr 13, 2026 +2
How many times do you think he’s threatened someone to put his foot in their ass?
2
SchoolAntique3620 Apr 14, 2026 +1
Eric's dad was terrifying in the best way. You could feel that "foot in your ass" energy through the screen and somehow it was still wholesome family TV. Kurtwood Smith just had this perfect balance of stern but caring father figure that made you want to straighten up even as viewer
1
RandomExcess Apr 13, 2026 +8
Lance F'in Reddick. He oozed that charismatic authority in every role... from the biggies like Fringe, The Wire, and Bosch to his contributions to Resident Evil or Zeus in Percy Jackson. And not TV but his commanding aura rings true in the VO works in video games. The man was a legend. RIP Sir.
8
Heythatsanicehat Apr 13, 2026 +9
Greg Davies in Taskmaster.
9
fickle_north Apr 13, 2026 +4
Greg Davies in The Inbetweeners
4
thingsorfreedom Apr 13, 2026 +7
Martin Sheen as President Bartlett
7
HighOnPoker Apr 13, 2026 +5
The judge in Jury Duty. He was amazing and very believable.
5
hobowithagraboid Apr 13, 2026 +7
Lois in Malcolm in the Middle
7
MammothAsk391 Apr 13, 2026 +5
James Avery
5
StyleMajestic3555 Apr 13, 2026 +3
Luthen - Andor
3
Traditional_Cry8075 Apr 13, 2026 +3
Ironically, Ron Swanson can be pretty accurate
3
Quankers Apr 13, 2026 +3
RPC from Dukes of Hazaard.
3
Atharaphelun Apr 13, 2026 +2
* ***Peter Jurasik*** as ***Londo Mollari*** in Babylon 5 * ***Andreas Katsulas*** as ***G'kar*** in Babylon 5
2
BranWafr Apr 13, 2026 +1
G'kar in season 1, nah. Midway through season 2 and beyond, for sure.
1
Atharaphelun Apr 13, 2026 +1
He had moments in season 1 too, such as his interactions with Catherine Sakai.
1
BranWafr Apr 13, 2026 +1
He had his moments in season 1, but had to grow into the leader role. Part of why he was soo good at it was because it was never something he wanted. So, once it was thrust upon him he tried to do the best he could for his people. Unlike Londo, he always wanted it. But, because of that, he was easily manipulated and ended up doing things he very much regretted and spent the rest of his time trying to make up for.
1
ShiroHachiRoku Apr 13, 2026 +3
Jean Luc Picard.
3
notinsanescientist Apr 13, 2026 +3
Chrisjen Avasarala in The Expanse. It just clicks.
3
Sensitive_Ear_1984 Apr 13, 2026 +4
Coach Taylor Friday Night Lights. Or his wife.
4
0ttoChriek Apr 13, 2026 +3
In the first season, I'd say that Buddy is the real authority figure. The embodiment of entitled money and influence in a small town. I always recall the conversation Coach Taylor has with Buddy in episode two, where Buddy tells Coach that "this town needs a win," and that there will be a lot of unhappy people if it doesn't happen. The guy basically tells Coach Taylor that he's going to be fired if he can't figure out how to win with a backup QB.
3
Sensitive_Ear_1984 Apr 13, 2026 +1
Fair point. I could be remembering later in the series.
1
superkbf Apr 13, 2026 +1
Mrs. Coach!
1
razorbladesymphony Apr 13, 2026 +2
Broyles
2
El_Cance_R Apr 13, 2026 +2
Gus Fring from Breaking Bad
2
clubmixes Apr 13, 2026 +2
Eamonn Walker, he has an intensity that lends itself well to authority
2
Significant_Other666 Apr 13, 2026 +2
Cartman -  he has "Authoritah"!
2
mrose1491 Apr 13, 2026 +2
Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, and Andre Braugher for me
2
Upbeat_Tension_8077 Apr 13, 2026 +2
Officer Big in Reservation Dogs
2
a_rabid_anti_dentite Apr 13, 2026 +2
Malcolm Reynolds in *Firefly.*
2
Maurers95 Apr 13, 2026 +1
Yes, Cap’n!
1
pobodys-nerfect5 Apr 13, 2026 +2
Robert Ramano in ER. What an arrogant little prick.
2
AfraidoftheLark Apr 13, 2026 +2
Surprised no one has mentioned Mitch Pileggi as Skinner in The X-Files. Commanded that office, and the screen. Iconic approach to dialogue. “Agent Mulder, you’re out of *line*.” Slight head tilt, kinda whispering, low-key sneering and seething by the time he hits the word “line.”
2
ShadowWriter28 Apr 13, 2026 +1
I loved Alias and I completely agree with you.
1
poppop702025 Apr 13, 2026 +1
All passed on😳
1
Shot-Club-3882 Apr 13, 2026 +1
Wait, who?
1
defconz Apr 13, 2026 +1
Liam Neeson on Derry Girls
1
Digital_loop Apr 13, 2026 +1
Judge Judy, she didn't take no shit from no one!
1
otcconan Apr 13, 2026 +1
Poor Director Vance from NCIS.
1
TheTooz72 Apr 13, 2026 +1
Kojak
1
vhmike Apr 13, 2026 +1
Telly Savalis as Kojak.
1
jonathanquirk Apr 13, 2026 +1
Don S Davis, “General Hammond of Texas” in Stargate SG-1. The man oozed respect, listening and trusting his officers, and they in turn knowing that he would do anything for them. Not a typical TV boss causing trouble for the main characters, but just an experienced officer who knew what needed to be done, but always kept his priorities straight… usually his grandkids.
1
kikijane711 Apr 13, 2026 +1
Brian Cox in Succession commands every rooms d scene
1
Darmok47 Apr 13, 2026 +1
Mitch Pileggi in The X-Files and Stargate Atlantis
1
TorontoRider Apr 13, 2026 +1
Going back a bit: Barney Miller.
1
Beneficial_Crow_3142 Apr 13, 2026 +1
No Chance In Hell. Yeah I know he’s a piece of shit in real life but most wrestling fans didn’t know Vince owned the company and he became the biggest heel of all time and it was as an authority figure.
1
tbbt11 Apr 13, 2026
Avon Barksdale
0
gezpachu Apr 13, 2026
The Doctor
0
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