Cis TV Shows, or series that feature cisgender characters, have been a large part of bringing entertainment to the world for many years. While having a diverse representation of characters is important for any show, cis TV shows are some of the most popular and beloved series to this day. In this article, let’s take a look at some of the most renowned cis TV show casts and what made them memorable.
Cast of Friends
One of the most successful and popular sitcoms of all time, the cast of Friends is still admired and talked about to this day. The series, which aired from 1994-2004, featured an unforgettable cast of characters, all of whom were cisgender. The show follows a group of six friends in New York City — Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Ross (David Schwimmer), Monica (Courteney Cox), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow). Together, they share memorable adventures and grow strong friendships — all while delivering some of the most memorable catchphrases in television history.
Cast of Seinfeld
To this day, Seinfeld is a fan favorite sitcom, with its critically acclaimed run of nine seasons from 1989-1998. Viewers tune into the show for the famous foursome of Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Kramer (Michael Richards). The show focuses on the often quirky adventures the four of them get into and the humorous conversations they share. Their ensemble is consistently hailed as one of the funniest, most memorable groups of characters — all of whom are cisgender — ever to grace the screen.
Cast of The Simpsons
The Simpsons is one of the longest-running and most beloved sitcoms in television history. The main family of Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner), Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and Maggie have delighted millions of viewers for over three decades, and shown the world what a wonderfully unique setting the fictional town of Springfield truly is. The significant amount of characterization of the family, combined with the fantastic writing over the years, has made it one of the most popular animated series of all time — with many of its characters being cisgender.
Cast of The Office
Premiering in 2005, The Office has been a fan favorite ever since. Featuring a lovable, often silly cast of characters at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, the show dealt with reality of life in the workplace and the importance — and humor — of friendship. It’s remembered for its beloved ensemble including, but not limited to, Michael Scott (Steve Carell), Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), Stanley Hudson (Leslie David Baker), Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling) and Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak). All of these characters are cisgender, and their unique and humorous dynamic is something that viewers have come to treasure.
Cast of Parks and Recreation
First premiering in 2009, Parks and Recreation quickly became a fan favorite, with many of its characters being incredibly beloved and iconic in the world of television. From the deputy director Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) to the entrepreneur Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) to the libertarian Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), the series had one of the most memorable casts in television. Add in all the quirkiness of characters like April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) and you get an unforgettable show. Cisgender characters are prominent throughout the series, making it an enjoyable example of diversity in television.
Cast of How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an iconic series that ran from 2005-2014, featuring an ensemble of characters all around the age of 30. The show stars Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) as he narrates to his son and daughter the story of how he met their mother. Along his journey, he is also accompanied by best friends Marshall (Jason Segel), Lily (Alyson Hannigan), Robin (Cobie Smulders) and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). These characters are all cisgender and the series is still talked about and rewatched to this day, making it a great example of the impact a cis TV show cast can have.
Cast of Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The nine-nine is one of the most beloved and diverse divisions in television and one of the funniest casts on television. From detectives Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) to Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) to Sergeant Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews), the Brooklyn Nine-Nine team knows how to take lemons and make lemonade. The show, which first aired in 2013, has consistently been praised for its representation and its clever humor, featuring characters of all genders — all of whom are cisgender.
Cis TV shows have been one of the staples of television since its popularization in the 1950s. Even after many years, viewers still admire and laugh at the beloved casts of these shows — ranging from the cast of Friends to the cast of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The timelessness and quality of many TV shows featuring cis casts is something worth celebrating, as today’s shows continue to strive for representation and an unprecedented amount of viewership.
