A Definitive Ranking of 'Mad Men' Characters
AMC’s Mad Men certainly wasn’t a fairytale, filled with sex, corruption, money, booze and adultery — but it somehow made us love these characters, even at their lowest moments. With seven seasons, we got to watch what it really took to succeed in advertising in the 1960s, and some of these characters (looking at you Pete Campbell), lost all sense of their moral compass to get what they wanted.
Through all the noise, we saw the story of an underdog with Peggy Olsen — where a woman who was written off before she even stepped into the office didn’t give up, eventually propelling herself to the career she always dreamed of. Here are our favorite prominent characters from Mad Men, ranked from most to least favorite, who impacted us so deeply that we still think about them since the show concluded in 2015.
Peggy Olsen
Peggy defines the story of the underestimated woman chasing the American Dream. From her career advancement from Don’s secretary to junior copywriter to copy chief to creative supervisor, Peggy opened the door of opportunity herself, many times, when she was never wanted. She wasn’t initially well liked (Joan was not a fan in the beginning) but her character dynamic with her mentor Don became one that always fascinated us. No one expected the girl walking into the office on her first day in a cute yellow dress to be a force to be reckoned with.
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Don Draper
Mad Men is the tale of Mr. Draper — front and center. Born Dick Whitman, the offspring of an abusive father and prostitute, he later assumed the identity of Donald Draper, a man he was posted alone with at an isolated military base. Putting aside flaws and mistakes Don has made, one thing stayed true throughout the show — the man knows how to win over a client. His talent for coming up with the next big idea, a compelling presentation, catchy slogan or an alluring ad was undeniable. Even at his low points, like in the series finale where Don is trying to find enlightenment at a retreat, Mad Men cuts to the iconic Coca-Cola “Hilltop” ad from 1971.
Joan Holloway
Joan is guilty of using her looks and charm to get what she wants — she's an artful manipulator. While she’s not designing ads or writing slogans, Joan truly fights for herself and for the company, embedding herself in the business. Joan knows how to play the game, so much that others are afraid to play it.
Betty Draper Francis
We have a lot of love for Betty Draper, who began her journey on Mad Men as the stereotypical housewife who "had it all" — and maintained class and subtlety at all costs. Throughout the seasons, Betty transformed into a more complex character — an imperfect mother, an (understandably) vindictive ex wife and, in general, a woman longing for purpose, drama, perfection and the respect or fear of those around her.
Pete Campbell
Now, Pete’s charm isn’t what got him this high on the list, but out of all of the characters, Pete arguably grew the most. He defied Don’s prediction that he’s become a midlevel cog in an agency, and as difficult as he was at times (most of the time), he was one of the smartest people in the room. There were no lines for Pete as he crossed any boundaries to undermine others to get what he wanted.
Sally Draper
Sally, the daughter of Don and Betty wasn’t always dealt the best hand. The audience met her as a child and watched her grow into a confident, defiant young lady. She is the one person in Don’s entire life that he always wants to impress. Her character showed us how children can be a product of their environment, and how it molds who they become. Her mother’s final letter to her said, “Sally, I always worry about you because you marched to the beat of your own drum. Now I know that’s good. Your life will be an adventure.”
Roger Sterling
Roger Sterling's greatest characteristic above his wits is being a people person, which heavily drives the success of the company. He often found himself regretting his words instead of thinking before he spoke, which would get him into trouble. With a prickly exterior, constant wisecracks and a wry smile, viewers soon learned that beneath the layers he loves and cares deeply for the people around him. He was a brother to Don Draper, and without their bond throughout the show, we don’t think Don could have survived.
Bert Cooper
Bert is the lovable grandfather of the show. While he always had a say in major decisions at the agency, Don and Roger were usually the ones talking in big meetings. Unlike most of the other characters, he remains unselfish and continuously did what was best for the business. We also cannot forget Bert’s back-from-the-dead, singing and dancing number to “The Best Things In Life Are Free” in Don’s hallucination. He brought whimsy to the show that we rarely got to see.
Trudy Campbell
We would have never guessed that the wife of monstrous Pete Campbell would be so loving, kind and happy. As opposites attract, she’s the perfect match for Pete from being his biggest cheerleader, pushing his boundaries for excellence, having high expectations and refusing to give into his whiny side.
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