Summary

  • House, M.D. had a range of multi-layered characters that made lasting impressions on viewers for years to come. Their development and growth throughout the show were what made the series worth watching.
  • Some characters, like Taub and Adams, were less likable due to their moral shortcomings or dull personalities. However, their interactions with House and the rest of the team still added to the overall dynamics of the show.
  • Characters like Cuddy, Chase, and Thirteen had complex storylines and showed growth throughout the series. Despite their flaws, they were some of the most compelling and beloved characters on House, M.D.

From Gregory House and his diagnostic team to Lisa Cuddy and James Wilson, House, M.D. offered a range of multi-layered characters who made lasting impressions on viewers for years to come. While some quickly became favorites, others couldn't catch a break. House, M.D. centered around Gregory House, a medical genius who didn't mix well with people, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, but whose expertise allowed him to get away with a lot of rule-breaking. While he remained the driving force throughout the show, his diagnostic team kept changing, introducing more and more characters for House to teach and abuse.

House was a hard person for people to work alongside, and not many medical professionals were willing to go to such extremes and test their nervous system with House's shenanigans. Those who did give House a chance and vice versa were the best of the best in the field, but even they were far from being perfect doctors or people. Still, the House, M.D. were nothing short of compelling — otherwise the medical drama wouldn't have lasted for eight seasons, to begin with. Their development and growth throughout the show were what made the series worth watching.

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12 Christopher Taub

Actor: Peter Jacobson

Dr. Christopher Taub is the plastic surgeon that House hires in House, M.D. season 4, episode 2, "The Right Stuff." While Taub, with his witty banter with House, is fascinating to watch, he is the least likable character on the show. He is a good doctor, but his moral com isn't the sharpest. Not only does he repeatedly cheat on his wife, Rachel, and act like a big hypocrite when she takes advantage of their open marriage, but he also cheats at work, as evidenced by his approach to a pathology test in season 7, episode 12, "You Must This."

11 Jessica Adams

Actress: Odette Annable

Jessica Adams in House

Introduced in House, M.D. season 8, episode 1, "Twenty Vicodin," Dr. Jessica Adams comes across as someone who is willing to help the disadvantaged, which is a good trait in general, but it looks incredibly dull on her. Adams is a bit of an enabler when it comes to House, and she likes to make things all about her at times. She isn't a bad person or doctor, but she is quite boring for anyone's taste. House M.D. season 8 is a letdown, unfortunately, and Adams doesn't add much value to the storylines herself, although her rivalry with Park is entertaining.

10 Allison Cameron

Actress: Jennifer Morrison

Allison Cameron in House

Dr. Allison Cameron is one of the original of House's diagnostic team in House, M.D., and she is easily one of the most disliked characters in the entire show. While she is sweet and kind, sometimes even too kind to the point of failing to do her job, she is also close-minded. Cameron can't always look past her established worldview, which often hurts her patients and team , and her priorities aren't set straight. She has played with Chase's heart one too many times, and their sexual relationship at work has put a patient's life in danger, which is inexcusable.

9 Gregory House

Actor: Hugh Laurie

Gregory House may be the main character of House, M.D., but that doesn't make him infallible — in fact, he is anything but mistake-free. House is supposed to be this misanthropic jerk who is a medical genius, and all should be forgiven for his brilliance, but that is not how life works. House has done some disturbing things throughout the series. Apart from constantly making cruel jokes and comments, House is physically violent as well. He punches Chase in the face because he interrupts him, and he crashes his car into Cuddy's house after she breaks up with him and moves on to someone else.

8 Eric Foreman

Actor: Omar Epps

Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) looking angry in House

Dr. Eric Foreman is another original member of House's diagnostic team in House, M.D. Foreman likes to copy House's attitude, and he does it brilliantly, but somehow it doesn't work for him quite as well, especially since he isn't a medical genius. Foreman is a competent neurologist, but he has a long way to go to reach House's level. Still, he is the first one to actually stand up to House when the latter goes too far, and that deserves some clapping. Foreman has also had a few problematic moments, such as infecting Cameron with his disease for his own agenda, firing his girlfriend, Thirteen, and sleeping with a married woman.

7 Chi Park

Actress: Charlyne Yi

Chi Park in House

In House, M.D. season 8, episode 2, "Transplant," Dr. Chi Park makes her entrance and soon becomes a newcomer to House's diagnostic team. It is difficult not to like her, as Park's clueless demeanor and blunt comments make for an interesting dynamic with her colleagues. She cares what other people think of her, she is cynical but relatable, and she is ready to stand up for herself to anyone, be it because of workplace harassment, disregard of her opinions, or something else entirely. With her personality quirks and hilarious interactions with Chase, Park is a priceless addition to the show's last season.

6 Lawrence Kutner

Actor: Kal Penn

Ever since his debut in House, M.D. season 4, episode 2, "The Right Stuff," Dr. Lawrence Kutner has quickly become one of the audiences' favorites, which is why his death in season 5 has shocked viewers to the core. Kutner was a bright person with a positive outlook on life, and his geekiness was a trait that made the character relatable and very human. From Kutner's tragic backstory to his amusing relationship with House, he was a delight. It's a shame that Kal Penn decided to pursue a career in politics, which led to Kutner being unexpectedly killed off just when he was becoming successful.

5 Martha Masters

Actress: Amber Tamblyn

Amber Tamblyn and Hugh Laurie as Greg House and Martha Masters, standing over a patient in House, M.D.

Martha Masters, who debuts in House, M.D. season 7, episode 6, "Office Politics," is essentially House's female counterpart. While she is much younger and less experienced than the other of the team, Masters manages to awe them and House time and time again. Masters' unique fashion sense and the absence of a filter just add bonus points, enriching the character further. House is a corruptive force, and there aren't many people on his team who have stood up to him and kept their own morals in the medical field, and otherwise — Masters is one of them, which, considering her young age, is impressive.

4 Lisa Cuddy

Actress: Lisa Edelstein

Lisa Edelstein as Lisa Cuddy in a red suit looking serious in House, M.D.

Dr. Lisa Cuddy is a saint for putting up with House for so many years, both on-screen and prior to the beginning of House, M.D. Despite having feelings for House at some point, Cuddy hasn't compromised her position as a medical practitioner, and she has always tried to do her best for her team and patients. The only case where Cuddy is in the gray area is the storyline that ends with her lying in court on House's behalf, but even with that in mind, Cuddy is still one of the most likable characters on the show.

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3 Robert Chase

Actor: Jesse Spencer

Dr. Robert Chase is arguably one of the most layered characters in House, M.D. He is also the one character who has had the most growth over the course of the series, and that is irable. Chase has been caught red-handed in problematic situations, such as sleeping with Cameron at work and ignoring the patient, being physically violent when House disrespected his boundaries, and even killing a patient, who was a ruthless dictator, but still. Despite all of this, Chase's character arc makes him innately easy to sympathize with throughout the show. It was truly rewarding to see him take House's place in the finale.