'The Girls on the Bus' Season 1 Finale: All the characters ranked, and why Felicity Walker is not #1
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Girls on the Bus' is captivating viewers with its compelling storyline and outstanding performances. Inspired by Amy Chozick’s memoir 'Chasing Hillary' from 2018, the political drama draws from her experiences aboard Hillary Clinton’s campaign bus during the 2008 and 2016 presidential races.
Starring Melissa Benoist, Natasha Behnam, Christina Elmore, Brandon Scott, and Carla Gugino in pivotal roles, the series follows the journey of female journalists as they cover the campaign trail, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs they face while reporting on political campaigns.
Choosing a favorite character in the series is challenging because each character plays a crucial role in driving the plot forward. From the determined journalists covering the campaign to the politicians navigating the complexities of their careers, every character brings something unique to the story.
However, here's our attempt at ranking the characters based on their impact on the plot and character development.
1. Sadie McCarthy
Sadie McCarthy (Melissa Benoist), a journalist for The New York Sentinel, is indeed a standout character in 'The Girls on the Bus'.
Sadie's journey as a journalist and her personal struggles make her a compelling character to follow. As a journalist covering the campaign trail, Sadie faces numerous challenges, including tight deadlines, ethical dilemmas, and the constant pressure to deliver compelling stories. However, she never loses hope.
When Sadie was removed from the bus for having an affair with a presidential candidate's spokesman, she began to work tirelessly to prove her worth to her boss and the HR team. Her dedication and hard work paid off, as she gradually regained the trust and her position on the bus.
When she found out she was pregnant, she didn't seek anyone's help to solve the problem. Instead, she decided to take an abortion pill and focus on her work.
She always offers a helping hand to her friends, ready to support them in any way she can. Whether it's lending an ear to listen, providing advice, or being there in times of need, Sadie is known for her compassion and willingness to help those around her.
2. Kimberlyn Kendrick
Kimberlyn Kendrick (Christina Elmore) stands out as one of the strongest characters in 'The Girls on the Bus'.
Despite facing racism for her black skin color, Kimberlyn never loses hope. Kimberlyn is depicted as a multi-dimensional character with her own challenges and vulnerabilities. However, she is willing to go to great lengths to cover breaking news stories.
At her workplace, Kimberlyn faces racism from her colleagues because she is Black. Despite consistently contributing ideas and coming up with good stories, she never receives the respect she deserves.
Despite these challenges, she refuses to let racism define her or deter her from pursuing her passion for journalism. Kimberlyn never shows any signs of jealousy toward anyone; instead, she always extends a helping hand to her friends.
When Sadie made the difficult decision to seek an abortion, Kimberlyn was there for her every step of the way. When Sadie wanted to go to Illinois to get abortion pills, Kimberlyn drove her there and provided her support.
3. Malcolm
Malcolm (Brandon Scott), a spokesman for a presidential candidate and Sadie's love interest is portrayed as one of the most selfless characters in 'The Girls on the Bus'.
Malcolm is in love with Sadie. Despite Sadie not showing any romantic interest in him, Malcolm goes out of his way to help her with her work. He often schedules interviews with officials and assists her in securing important stories.
Despite being hurt by Sadie's actions, Malcolm does not seek to harm, accuse, or disparage her in the eyes of others. Instead, he handles the situation with grace and maturity, choosing to address his feelings in a respectful and dignified manner.
When Malcolm confessed his feelings to Sadie in Episode 6, he did so without expecting anything in return, showcasing his selflessness.
4. Grace Gordon Greene
Grace Gordon Greene (Carla Gugino), an experienced journalist who has been on the bus for a long time, is another strong character in 'The Girls on the Bus'. Her years of experience in journalism have honed her skills and given her a deep understanding of the political landscape.
She is portrayed as a mentor figure, often offering guidance and wisdom to her younger colleagues, especially Sadie. She is not portrayed as a jealous woman; instead, Grace chooses to uplift others and celebrate their successes.
When Sadie engages in a sexual relationship with Malcolm, a spokesperson for presidential candidate Felicity Walker (Hettienne Park), Grace chooses to keep Sadie's secret to protect her friend.
When Sadie was absent from the bus, she confided in Grace about her investigation into Felicity's super PAC. However, when Sadie returned, she suggested to Grace that they team up to cover the story, despite being competitors. Grace agreed to work with Sadie.
Her calm demeanor and rational approach to situations make her a standout character in the series.
5. Hayden Wells Garrett
Hayden Wells Garrett (Scott Foley), a presidential candidate, is depicted as incredibly handsome, with a charm that is hard to resist.
Hayden's friendship with Sadie and his helpful nature strike a chord with viewers. Despite his busy schedule and the demands of his presidential campaign, Hayden always makes time for Sadie, offering his support and guidance whenever she needs it.
Furthermore, Hayden always behaves kindly towards everyone. Despite being a contender in the presidential race, he shows no signs of arrogance or bitterness. His humble and approachable demeanor sets him apart from typical politicians.
6. Lola Rahaii
Lola Rahaii (Natasha Behnam), a social media influencer and reporter, is portrayed as someone with a good heart.
Lola is shown to be compassionate and caring towards her friends, often offering them support and encouragement. However, Lola also has a sharp tongue and is not afraid to speak her mind, even if it means being blunt or hurtful.
Despite her tendency to say mean things, Lola is not too proud to admit when she is wrong and takes responsibility for her actions. This shows that she is capable of growth and introspection, and is willing to learn from her mistakes.
7. Bruce Turner
Bruce Turner (Griffin Dunne), Sadie's boss, is portrayed as a complex character with both positive and negative traits. At times, he is shown to be a supportive and understanding boss, providing guidance and mentorship to Sadie as she navigates her career in journalism.
However, Bruce can also be manipulative and demanding. He sometimes puts pressure on Sadie to prioritize her work over her personal life.
When he learned about Sadie and Malcolm's love affair, he was unwilling to give Sadie a second chance, despite her being a talented journalist.
He was also angry with her for an extended period and was unwilling to understand Sadie's situation. This prolonged anger demonstrates Bruce's rigid demeanor and his reluctance to empathize with others' personal struggles.
8. Felicity Walker
Felicity Walker (Hettienne Park), the leading presidential candidate in the series, is portrayed as one of the most challenging characters. Her character is depicted as ambitious, ruthless, and willing to do whatever it takes to win the presidency.
One of the reasons Felicity is considered the worst character in the series is her lack of empathy and compassion. She is portrayed as cold and calculating, often putting her own ambitions above the needs of others.
When she lost the first presidential election, she blamed Sadie for writing a story about her, instead of taking responsibility for her defeat. This behavior highlights Felicity's inability to accept failure and her tendency to shift blame onto others.
When she entered the presidential race again, she refused to give interviews to Sadie. By avoiding interviews with Sadie, Felicity could avoid tough questions and scrutiny, allowing her to present herself in the best possible light to voters.
In 'The Girls on the Bus' Episode 8, Felicity also fired some of her staff because Grace and Sadie uncovered a connection between Felicity and a top donor on her political action committee (PAC) who had been accused of sexual misconduct.
'The Girls on the Bus' trailer