The wild adventures of the Salvare crew and their loved ones back on Earth have forced Another Life’s characters into making difficult decisions. The most likable people try to do the right thing for humanity, even at the cost of their own happiness or lives.
From its brave protagonist, Niko, to the thoughtful AI, William, there’s no shortage of endearing characters on the sci-fi series. Fans likely find themselves rooting for these likable individuals when they face dire situations in outer space or on Earth.
Ian Yerxa
As the previous commander of the Salvare, Ian has a hard time accepting that he has to take orders from someone who has been deemed more capable than he is. Ian is arrogant, selfish, and egoistic, always insisting that his ideas are flawless.
It’s obvious why he wasn’t selected to lead the most crucial mission for the future of humanity, as under his command, the Salvare would have crashed before anyone could reach Pi Canis Majoris. Most fans would agree that Niko’s decision to get rid of him is justified, as he’s a liability who doesn’t hesitate to put others’ lives at risk.
Seth Gage
When Seth allows the nefarious and evil Achaian aliens to implant a device into his brain, he turns into a robotic emissary who’s powerless against the invaders’ whims. Since he’s the head of Homeland Security, he has considerable influence over the government’s decisions.
His appointment as the emissary for the Achaians is disastrous for the people around him. He uses his newfound powers to infiltrate his fellow humans’ brains and extract key information for the aliens. While it’s the Achaians that are mostly at fault here, it’s hard to feel any sympathy for Seth, who easily fell for their false promises.
Harper Glass
Harper is one of the first characters viewers meet in the show. She’s introduced as an extremely popular influencer and journalist who claims that she will do anything to get to the truth. Her methods for collecting information are unconventional, to say the least, as she blackmails people like Erik to get details about the aliens.
Harper seems more concerned about pleasing her followers than actually telling the truth. She’s an obnoxious character who gets in the way of others. That said, audiences can’t be blamed for feeling bad for her when she’s kidnapped by the Achaians and then killed by her own government.
Sasha Harrison
While Sasha is a villain who acts heroic towards the end of his life, his sacrifice does not make up for all the damage he causes to the Salvare’s mission and crew. His insecurities get the best of him and he decides to listen to the Achaian’s voice in his head when it tells him to sabotage the ship.
Not only does Sasha leave Javier braindead, but he also endangers the lives of everyone on board when he shuts down William. Unlike Harper and Seth, however, he at least redeems himself by sacrificing himself for the sake of the crew’s safety.
Richard Ncube
The way Richard is able to think like a military strategist is both a pro and a con on the show. He’s able to help Niko fend off the Achaians in outer space and is useful to her when they’re stranded on an alien ship.
Richard puts the mission ahead of other people’s lives, though, which is best seen when he rips out Javier’s Achaian implant, causing the crew member to become braindead. He also tortures Iara because he’s suspicious of her code, treating her more like a tool than a being capable of thinking and feeling.
Erik Wallace
Erik is a brilliant scientist who is able to come up with unthinkable solutions to problems caused by the Achaians. The way he unlocks the artifact on Earth leads to valuable interactions with the aliens and he’s also able to fix the FTL drive and save the Salvare in record time towards the end of the series.
His only weakness is that, unlike Niko, he can’t risk his family to ensure humanity’s safety and survival. He helps Harper escape confinement in exchange for her help with Jana’s health. While her actions afterward are not Erik's fault, he’s still indirectly responsible for the mess it creates.
August Catawnee
As the lead engineer on the Salvare, August has pulled off some incredible feats. It’s satisfying to watch her help Niko solve the ship’s technical problems. She also has a great personality, as she tries her best to stay optimistic despite difficult circumstances.
August has proven that she can be a helpful member of the crew, but beyond her engineering skills, she doesn’t bother to use her authority to influence others. When she notices how her subordinates are doubting Niko, she doesn’t attempt to discourage them. Her ive stance on critical matters can be somewhat disappointing, but she’s at least focused on doing her job.
Zayn Petrossian
Another Life is a show with excellent LGBTQ+ representation, with Zayn and Bernie's beautiful relationship being one of the several examples in the series. Beyond being one-half of the charming partnership, Zayn is also a talented doctor who keeps the crew physically and mentally healthy.
Zayn values human life above anything else, which is why he’s so furious about how Bernie and Richard injure Javier. His only flaw is that he is human, and he’s unable to resist the Achaian’s offer of saving his mom’s life in exchange for information about the magnetar. Most fans don’t dislike him too much for this, though, as all the good he has done for others outweighs his one mistake.
Niko Breckinridge
Niko is the badass female lead fans never knew they needed in the sci-fi genre. Her discipline, focus, and empathy make her a great leader. She always knows what to do and stays calm even when everyone else is panicking.
The fact that Niko willingly leaves Erik and Jana to protect Earth speaks volumes about her principles and bravery. She understands that by defeating the Achaians, she’s also protecting her family. She’s not perfect, as her actions against Sasha and William have a terrible effect on the mission, but she’s quick to it when she’s wrong and tries her best to make up for it.
Cas Isakovic
Because of Cas’ long history with Niko, she’s incredibly loyal to her and does her best as the second-in-command on the Salvare. She risks her life several times to save Niko, like when she goes on the Achaian ship to rescue her.
The only thing that holds Cas back is her own insecurity. She doesn’t believe that she’s capable of great things like Niko is and sometimes projects her own fears on the captain. This only makes it more satisfying to watch her grow over the course of the show, though, and it doesn’t take away from her courageous acts.