22 TV Characters Who Kick Ass

Some are cops (book 'em, Danno!), some have shades of gray (hello, Nikita!) -- mess with any of 'em at your own risk this fall!
By EW Staff
Updated August 03, 2011 at 05:05 PM EDT

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Jim Shannon (Jason O'Mara), Terra Nova

Credit: Brook Rushton/Fox

If he's willing to uproot his family from their life in dystopian Chicago circa 2149 and head back to prehistoric Earth as part of a plan to save the human race, then you know he's ready to take on whatever comes their way.

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Danno (Scott Caan), McGarrett (Alex O'Laughlin), Chin Ho (Daniel Dae Kim), and Kono (Grace Park),Hawaii Five-0

Credit: CBS

Sure, the tropical locale helps, but this cop team always makes crime fighting look good, whether as a team and on their own.—AW

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Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), Castle

Credit: ABC

Yes, she may have a soft spot for a certain writer but Det. Kate Beckett is one tough cookie who always gets her guy. She may have been down at the end of last season but we're sure she won't stay that way.—AW

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Ziva David (Coté de Pablo), NCIS

Credit: CBS

Becoming an American citizen won't do a thing to infringe on this former Israeli Mossad agent's ability to take you out.—AW

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Kate Prince (Annie Ilonzeh), Eve French (Minka Kelly), Abby Sampson (Rachael Taylor), Charlie's Angels

Credit: Nathan Bell/ABC

If they're anything like their '70s counterparts, these crime fighting angels will prove that fashion, heels, and kicking butt actually do mix.—AW

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Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), Bones

Credit: Ray Mickshaw/Fox

Fatherhood the first time around only made this former sniper a better man and enhanced his G-man skills. A new baby figures to kick up his papa bear tendencies.—AW

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Sarah Bartowski (Yvonne Strahovski), Chuck

Credit: NBC

Fighting alongside her man and protecting him at the same time is all in a day's work for this CIA agent.—AW

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Nikita (Maggie Q), Nikita

Credit: The CW

Nikita knows it takes more than just a strong will to bring down Division.

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Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Fringe

Credit: FOX

Who else could have their lives messed with the way Olivia has and still come out swinging? —AW

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Klaus (Joseph Morgan), The Vampire Diaries

Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW

This indestructible vampire/werewolf hybrid had more than enough clout to shake things up in Mystic Falls, but now he's ready to hit the road with Stefan (Paul Wesley) and cause more mayhem.—Mandi Bierly

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Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah), NCIS: Los Angeles

Credit: CBS

She can more than hold her own with the boys, heading off to the rescue, ready to kick more butt. —AW

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Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg), Blue Bloods

Credit: CBS

The former military man is all about the family business of law and order, taking on bad guys and keeping his family life on the straight and narrow.—AW

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Reese (Jim Caviezel), Person of Interest

Credit: Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS

We've got no trouble believing this troubled ex?CIA agent will do whatever it takes to help prevent impending offenses.—AW

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Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), Supernatural

Credit: The CW

Now beginning their seventh season of fighting ghosts, demons, vampires, angels, and even hybrid monsters called ''Jefferson Starships,'' it takes a lot to scare these brothers. And even though this season finds them faced with battling a malevolent God (Misha Collins), something tells us they?re not going to go down easy. Bring it!—Sandra Gonzalez

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Jane Timoney (Maria Bello), Prime Suspect

Credit: Patrick Harbron/NBC

Well, we know she can take a punch and it seems she can take on the jerks in her department, too.—AW

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By EW Staff