With the beloved PBS series finally coming to a close after 25 seasons, it’s time to look back on Arthur. The show raised a generation of kids and taught the world about acceptance, friendship, family, and countless other important topics; Arthur’s lovable cast of characters brought representation to many cultures, ethnicities, and identities. Truly, the series for children went out of its way to make everyone feel included.
Everyone has their favorite members of the Arthur cast, and each brings something different to the screen. From comedy and hi-jinks to hardships and love, the residents of Elwood City made the show feel alive and ever-evolving. While there are many characters to reflect on, some stand out and connect better with viewers in surprising ways. Here’s our take on the top nine best characters in PBS’ Arthur.
9 Alan ‘The Brain’ Powers: The Kid Genius
A Senegalese student, The Brain is the smartest kid in all of Lakewood Elementary School. His intelligence and broad range of knowledge are admirable, and he opens up a lot as the series progresses. He's a good role model for his fellow students, and is usually portrayed as a mature voice of reason when antics ensue. Alan is also a beacon of representation for communities that celebrate Kwanzaa!
8 Sue Ellen Armstrong: The Cultural Sweetheart
Kindhearted and infatuated with world culture, Sue Ellen is an insanely skilled martial artist and musician. Traveling with her diplomat father gave her a chance to learn about countless places around the world, and she teaches viewers about empathy and connection as a result. She doesn't play the most important role in the series, but her appearance impacts us whenever she appears onscreen.
7 Thora Read: The Grandma Everyone Needs
Thora Read is Arthur's grandma, and she's an incredibly loving figure that inspires and encourages her grandchildren. Protective, fun-loving and wise, she's a pillar of support that just about anyone could count on. Fun fact: Thora Read takes inspiration from show creator Marc Brown's grandmother, and that makes her even more endearing in our book.
6 Francine Frensky: The Tough Cookie
Resident tough athlete and competition enthusiast, Francine comes off as harsh at first, but she's a well-rounded character that showed more kindness and understanding as she developed. This is most notable in her interactions with best friend Muffy; when her spoiled attitude gets out of hand, Francine is the one to bring her back down to earth. We also love seeing the Jewish Frensky family celebrate traditional holidays.
5 Arthur Read: The Lovable Hero
Arthur is, for lack of better words, just a really good kid. He's kind, loves to learn, and is always happy to make new friends. Even when getting into trouble with his sister (and rival) D.W., we can see that he's a caring big brother and loves everyone in his circle. Arthur is a uniting force in that he's open-minded and empathetic, and his connections to others allow us to enjoy a story full of representation. On top of this, he's super relatable — he loves animals, comic books, music, and playing outside, all things most children his age can appreciate.
4 Buster Baxter: The Wholesome Boy
You might peg Baxter solely for comic relief early on, but make no mistake: his strong suit is his positive attitude toward others. One of the best parts of his character is the loving relationship he shares with his parents, and he gives kids a chance to see a healthy family dynamic even after divorce. Of course, he is still hilarious! The self-proclaimed food lover and gardener has all kinds of quirks and crazy ideas, and his huge imagination is one of his best traits. Nothing can bring him down, especially with encouragement from his best friend, Arthur.
3 Binky Barnes: The Bully-Turned-Bestie
Originally depicted as the typical school bully, Binky stole our hearts with every gradual display of vulnerability he shared. We learn that he was held back in third grade, loves ballet, and immensely enjoys catching butterflies. He's an art lover, a dedicated student when he puts his mind to it and a wonderful brother to his adopted sister. Binky's softer side gives him depth and complexity that you don't expect to find in a children's show, and we're grateful for it.
2 Ratburn: The Surprise Favorite
We adore Mr. Ratburn because nobody expected him to be such a memorable character. He's a great teacher (even if he's portrayed as strict and a lover of tests), and you can genuinely see that he wants all his students to be successful. Mr. Ratburn helped normalize same-sex relationships when he married his longtime partner Patrick, and his wedding episode is phenomenal. A foodie with a near-insatiable sweet tooth, his humor and timing is enough to make you burst with laughter.
1 D.W. Read: The Icon
While Arthur is the show's protagonist, his little sister Dora Winifred is the star! She's a preschooler with a big personality, and sass that's unmatched by almost any other character. Her childish attitude and interests complement her frequent displays of ambition and intelligence (which could rival most full-grown adults). Despite her often arrogant and selfish attitude, D.W. is a sweet kid and loves to see others happy. Similar to Grandma Thora, her character was inspired by Marc Brown's experiences with not one but three younger sisters.