TNT's period drama The Alienist is a dark, turn-of-the-century series set in mid-1890s New York City. Based on the series by novelist Caleb Carr, The Alienist explores the earliest days of forensic psychology through its murder mystery narrative. The first season deals with a serial killer targeting young immigrant boys, and the second (entitled Angel of Darkness) deals with the connected kidnappings of multiple infants across the city.
Noted for its realistic set design and moody storytelling, The Alienist also involves a group of memorable characters — some fictional and some historical. From the most influential citizens to the most neglected, The Alienist examines classism and privilege in New York City through its ensemble cast.
10 Love: Dr. Laszlo Kreizler
Daniel Brühl plays Dr. Kreizler, the titular psychiatrist who specializes in mental illness and who takes it upon himself to solve the mysteries at the heart of each season. With his ragtag group of volunteer detectives, Dr. Kreizler puts the NYPD to shame with his investigative skills.
While he can be stubborn, arrogant, and too intellectual for his own good, he is motivated to use scientific thinking to rid the world of its maladies. Ultimately, Dr. Kreizler wants to make the world a better place.
9 Hate: Captain Connor
Captain Connor is an police officer with the NYPD who undermines Dr. Kreizler's investigation. The closer Dr. Kreizler gets to implicating New York socialites in the crimes he's investigating, the more Captain Connor frustrates the alienist's efforts.
Played by David Wilmot, Captain Connor is being funded by some powerful people to protect the city's wealthy elites. Connor is driven by ego, money, and status, using his badge to take advantage of the system.
8 Love: John Moore
Luke Evans plays John Moore, a New York Times cartoonist and illustrator who attended Harvard with Dr. Kreizler. Moore is a complicated upper-class man with keen perception, who joins Dr. Kreizler's team during the murder investigations.
While kind and just, Moore deals with his past traumas by turning to alcohol and brothel visits. As the series progresses, he tackles his demons in hopes of becoming a better person, and by extension, investigator.
7 Hate: Chief Thomas Byrnes
Thomas Byrnes is the retired NYPD police chief who tampers with Dr. Kreizler's cases. Using Captain Connor as a strong arm, Byrnes keeps himself involved with the force in order to shield his wealthy friends and associates from prosecution for their crimes and indiscretions.
Byrnes could care less about innocent boys or babies dying in the streets. Ted Levine plays up the evil nature of his character here, a man who clearly represents corruption from on high.
6 Love: Sara Howard
Dakota Fanning is captivating as Sara Howard, a young society woman who becomes the first female hired by the NYPD. She is intelligent, unflinching, and observant, which is why Dr. Kreizler recruits her to his team.
Howard relies on humor and cunning to combat those who try to disparage her. Ultimately, she challenges the expectations placed upon her as a woman, going on to establish her own detective agency in season 2.
5 Hate: Sergeant Doyle
Sergeant Doyle works under Captain Connor. Like his boss, this smug police office cares more about New York's high society than about the millions of poor residents and immigrants suffering in the streets.
After Captain Connor is fired from the force, Doyle is promoted to Captain. He follows in his predecessor's shoes, though, sabotaging efforts to turn police resources toward those who need them most.
4 Love: Commissioner Roosevelt
Brian Geraghty plays the same Theodore Roosevelt before he became President of the United States. Prior to winning the country's top seat. Roosevelt served as police commissioner for the NYPD.
A politician through and through, Commissioner Roosevelt knows how to appease those in power while appealing to the masses. Geraghty brings a real likability to his portrayal of Roosevelt, a man who ultimately sides with Dr. Kreizler.
3 Hate: J.P. Morgan
As banking mogul J.P. Morgan, Michael Ironside plays a real-life man who looked down upon New York's poor and vulnerable from his Manhattan high rise. Morgan is the man with all the money, meaning he also yields all the power.
Morgan has Chief Byrnes and Captain Connor in his back pocket, and it is from him that these men take their directives. A member of the group known as the 400, Morgan only cares about one thing: protecting his financial interests.
2 Love: The Isaacson Brothers
Technically two characters, the Isaacsons are NYPD detective sergeants who bring their forensics and research knowledge to Dr. Kreizler's team. Marcus (Douglas Smith) and Lucius (Matthew Shear) are young and ambitious Jewish immigrants.
The Isaacsons are also expert crime scene investigators, and prove themselves to be invaluable resources to Dr. Kreizler. With their endless enthusiasm and lower-class upbringing, these siblings add much-needed alternate perspectives to The Alienist.
1 Hate: Mayor Lafayette Strong
Like the rest of his ruling compatriots, Mayor Lafayette Strong comes across as corrupt and self-serving. The real mayor of New York City at the time, he warns Commissioner Roosevelt to steer his investigation away from the upper crust.
Peter McRobbie plays Strong, who smokes cigars and goes to the opera while most of his citizens suffer. Safeguarding the 400 is all that matters to him.
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