Created by Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith, and Josh Gad, Central Park is a musical adult-animation series that just had its season 2 premiere. Starring Kristen Bell, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Daveed Diggs, Stanley Tucci, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., and more, the series revolves around a family dwelling in New York's iconic Central Park, where they do their best to prevent a cutthroat land developer from turning the park into a lot full of upscale shops and condominiums.
Much of the show's appeal derives from its eccentric, hilarious cast of characters who either want to protect the park and preserve the land or want to see the natural environment get turned into a place of commerce.
10 Elwood
As one of the more memorable recurring characters who appeared in 80% of season 1, Elwood (Ryan O'Malley) is a Central Park employee who works alongside main character Owen Tillerman (Leslie Odom Jr.). When he isn't getting himself into hilarious situations that are way too difficult to handle, Elwood enjoys spending time with his pet worm, Diane.
As a naturally gifted rhythm singer, Elwood also isn't afraid to burst into song when called for. So far the character has appeared in 10 episodes of the show.
9 Zoom Abromavich
SNL alum and skilled musician Fred Armisen voices two recurring characters on the show, including the singing sanitation manager Esposito, as well as the offbeat movie tour guide Zoom Abromovich. While both are worthy, the latter is a slightly better character.
In the penultimate episode of Season 1, Molly (Bell) and Cole (Tituss Burgess) attend Zoom's tour of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York's deleted scenes, which Zoom has all too much knowledge of. Zoom specializes in arcane movie trivia that nobody cares about, which only makes him more endearing.
8 Bitsy Brandenham
As the primary antagonist who wants to turn Central Park into a commercial hotspot, the greedy businesswoman Bitsy Brandenham (Stanley Tucci) is one of the clear standouts on the show. The insatiable diva who looks down on others from her regal tower in the Brandenham Hotel lives to coddle her pet Shi-Poo Shampagne that she also often abuses.
When she isn't plotting to destroy the park, Bitsy hurls insults at every person that crosses her path, often breaking into song with her unsoothing gravel voice.
7 Brendan Brandenham
Brendan Brandenham (Eugene Cordero) is one of the best recurring characters on Central Park. As the morally conscious grandson of the greedy Bitsy, Brendan opposes her plot to destroy Central Park for her own monetary gain.
Moreover, Brandon is the love interest for Molly, on whom she harbors a secret crush. Brandon is a sweet-natured boy who often flies his kite in the park, who Molly fantasizes as her superhero partner. Their on-and-off romance is one of the more compelling aspects of the show, especially their awkward kiss attempts in Episode 8.
6 Paige Hunter
Kathryn Hahn voices Paige Hunter, Owen's wife and mother to Molly and Cole. Paige wants nothing more than to be taken seriously as a professional journalist but is always saddled with trivial puff pieces from her boss, Marvin (Tony Shalhoub).
When Paige isn't working to uncover Bitsy's nefarious plot or taking care of her family, she's quick to crack self-deprecating jokes and break into solo songs and duets with Owen. Her standout songs include "Momma's Got This," "Show Up!" and "Live It Up Tonight."
5 Helen
Hamilton standout and talented star rapper Daveed Diggs voices the role of Helen on the show, Bitsy's oft-disrespected personal assistant who hopes to inherit the Brandenham estate in the future. Played with a droll, dry wit, Helen does some of the most impressive singing and rapping on the show.
Aside from earning sympathy for the way she's treated by Bitsy, the counterpoint of seeing a middle-aged white woman spitting fire bars like in the song "Weehawken" is what makes the character so inherently entertaining.
4 Cole Tillerman
In many ways, Cole Tillerman (Titus Burgess) is the heart and soul of Central Park. His character is so sweet and selfless that all he wants in life is to care for Bitsy's abused dog Shampagne in ways he knows she cannot. Without his dogged efforts to rescue the Shi-Poo, the show would decrease its emotional resonance.
In the pilot, Cole immediately expresses his desire in the song "Poops I'll Pick Up" and "Shampagne was my Best Friend," a thematic through-line that continues until the end of the season.
3 Birdie
As the show's omniscient narrator who often bursts into song, Birdie (Josh Gad) is easily a highlight of the series. The street busking violinist frames the plotline of every episode for the audience to understand while assisting Owen in the process.
Considering himself to be the guardian angel of the Tillerman-Hunter family, Birdie often acts on emotion and oversteps his professional guidelines when it comes to their safety and wellbeing. Cheerfully commentating on the story events, Birdie also sings some of the catchiest tunes on the show.
2 Molly Tillerman
As the adorable self-proclaimed superhero who uses her powerful Fista-Puffs hair to defeat foes in her imagination, Molly Tillerman (played by Kristen Bell in Season 1 and Emmy-Raver Lampman in Season 2) is one of the most lovable main characters on Central Park.
When Molly isn't lost in her quixotic headspace, she tries her best to forge a romance with Brendan, aka Kite Boy, whom she fancies as a boyfriend and superhero crime partner. Many of the storylines revolve around Molly and her brother Cole as they get in a series of wacky misadventures in the park.
1 Owen Tillerman
Hamilton star and all-world singer Leslie Odom Jr. performs some of the best songs on Central Park as Owen Tillerman, the main protagonist of the show. The entire series centers around Owen's attempt to save Central Park from Bitsy's venal plot to overtake the land.
In between his day job, Owen is a dedicated family man trying his best to make his wife and children as happy as can be. While his family doesn't always show him the respect he deserves, his love of nature and superior singing ability ensure his status as a top-tier character.
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