Nikita (TV series)/Characters

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


Characters from Nikita (TV series) include:

Main

Nikita Meers

"I was the first recruit to get out, and I'm going to make certain I'm not the last."
Played By: Maggie Q

A junkie from the street, Nikita Meers was pulled from Death Row and trained as a spy and assassin for secret government agency, Division. However, after Division murdered her fiance she turned rogue and is now on a mission to take them down.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Michael

"I knew you'd gone rogue, didn't know you'd gone delusional."
Played By: Shane West

A former US Navy intelligence officer, Michael is a highly ranked member of Division who is tasked with bringing Nikita in. However, his past with her and his own moral code means he's often conflicted.

Toward the end of season 1, Michael joins Nikita's cause after discovering that his boss is behind a tragic event in his past. He also enters a romantic relationship with her.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:
  • Anti-Villain: Before his Heel Face Turn during Season 1.
  • The Atoner: Becomes one in "Pandora".
  • Badass
  • Back-to-Back Badasses: With Nikita.
  • Battle Couple: With Nikita.
  • Dangerously Genre Savvy: There are many clues given that Michael had an inkling that Alex was working with Nikita before the events of 1x16 but that he chose to ignore them. Also, mistrusting Kelly, Nikita's old Division partner, in 2x04 and immediately questioning Cassandra about Max's paternity also show this trope.
  • Dating Catwoman
  • Deadpan Snarker
  • Death Glare: Or "goatee of intimidation", as Birkhoff calls it.
  • The Dragon: To Percy, later The Lancer to Nikita
  • Dragon with an Agenda: Michael often goes head-to-head with Percy over his running of Division, and the only reason he's even working for them is to get revenge for his family.
  • Determinator: Especially where Nikita or his family are concerned.
  • Genre Savvy: Knowing that the hot girl with dark hair and long legs in a towel girl uniform was Nikita undercover definitely counts as this.
  • Guttural Growler: Michael's voice is gravily and incredibly sexy. Lampshaded by Nikita in 1x09, Nathan in 1x14 and Alex in 1x16.
  • Heel Face Turn: During Season 1.
  • Hidden Depths: As the Series has progressed, more and more of Michael's abilities and personality traits are hinted at and shown - the fact that he always stands like a soldier, his hand-to-hand combat, his chosen pistol [1], his ability with weapons, his background in Naval Intelligence, his hints of being the Spymaster and the Trainer for Nikita - but they always leave the hint that there is more to him.
  • Hot Dad: Yep. He is.
  • Knight in Sour Armour: Michael wasn't completely happy with Division, but truly believed that he was acting in America's best interests.
  • The Lancer: In an interesting inversion of this trope, Michael and Nikita move in and out of this trope in regards to each other.
  • The Mentor: to Alex. And Nikita pre-Series.
  • The Mole: Following his Heel Face Turn
  • My Country, Right or Wrong: For much of the first season, this was his attitude towards Division, because he believed Division to be eventually acting in America's best interests.
  • Only One Name: It's been two full seasons and still no last name for Michael.
  • Patriotic Fervor: Has brought back all the good of this trope and none of the bad. Michael sincerely believes in his country and that Division - if run by the right people - is a necessary force for good in the world. Probably comes from being a former Naval Intelligence Officer.
    • Nikita allows that the only way Division could ever be worth saving is if Michael was in charge.
  • Perpetual Frowner: Especially during Season 1. Nikita even lampshades this, adorably, in 1x18.
  • Slap Slap Kiss: With Nikita. Quite a lot since the episode "Echoes".
  • Star-Crossed Lovers: With Nikita.
  • Tall, Dark and Snarky: Nikita even calls him out on this in 1x09. "Tall, smokey voice, very sexy."
  • Teacher-Student Romance: Nikita was his student at Division when they fell in love.
  • Yanks With Tanks: Was a Naval Intelligence Officer assigned to investigate the USS Cole bombing.

Alexandra Udinov

"I am Alexandra Udinov, daughter of Nikolai Udinov, and this is your reward."

Played By: Lyndsy Fonseca

The daughter of a Russian ogligarch, Alexandra Udinov ended up as a junkie prostitute after being smuggled to America. Nikita rescued her, got her clean, befriended her and trained her up to be a mole within Division.

At the end of season 1, it is revealed that the Division agent who killed Alex's father was in fact Nikita, and Alex subsequently joins Amanda to take down the man who ordered the hit. She acts in an antagonistic role in season 2, before forgiving Nikita and joining her again.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Percival 'Percy' Rose

"People want to believe God has a plan for them. They don't want to know that anyone else does."
Played By: Xander Berkeley

Percy is the ruthless creator of Division, acting as its head during season 1. He's discovered many damaging government secrets during his long career, and has stored them in several 'Black Box' data carriers. He cannot be simply killed due to a surgically implanted chip that'll send a signal that will release the information if he dies, therefore plunging the world into chaos.

He's deposed from power by his subordinate Amanda in season 2, and imprisoned below Division. However he continues pulling strings, and has now escaped his cell to wreak havoc and eventually retake Division. He brings the president to his knees and comes close to total world domination until he's finally, finally desposed in the season 2 finale. Nikita drops him down into the depths of Division, killing him.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Seymour Birkhoff

"I'm not a spice girl, and I was never ever obscure. I was elusive, and a little dangerous. I was a legend."
Played By: Aaron Stanford

Once an infamous cyber-criminal, Birkhoff was brought on as Division's head technician. He remains loyal to Division despite his growing misgivings about the nature of the agency.

He leaves Division before season 2, and somewhat relunctantly joins Nikita's cause.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:
  • Combat Pragmatist: In the fight in "383 Walnut Lane" he surprises the agent he's fighting with some computer parts, and then goes for the eyes.
  • Deadpan Snarker
  • Jerkass: Becomes more a Jerk with a Heart of Gold in the second season.
  • Minored in Asskicking: In Season One, a CIA grab team attempts to snatch Birkhoff; the first two men are taken by surprise at how prepared Birkhoff is to defend himself, and he almost escapes. (Until the third CIA agent grabs him from behind.)
    • Later, in Season 2, he fights off a trained Division agent using just some computer parts. He loses, but he puts up enough of a fight to stay alive long enough for Nikita to finish off the Division man. "Shadow Walker" shows him sparring with Michael.
  • Mission Control
  • Mook Face Turn: Leaves Division after Season One, and eventually allies himself with Nikita and Michael.
  • Insult of Endearment: Nikita often calls him 'nerd'. It started as her way of insulting him but as they worked together they became friends so now it is her way of showing him affection. She is the only one he allows to call him that.
  • Non-Action Guy: Initially. Averted in "383 Walnut Lane".
  • Not So Harmless: Carla learns this the hard way.
  • Pet the Dog: His brief friendship with the Engineer. Also his friendship with Michael which eventually leads to his doing a Heel Face Turn when he helps Michael escape Division with a black box.
    • When Alex learns that Sean planted a GPS tracker in her father's watch, he stops her from destroying it, saying he can remove the tracker without harming the watch.
  • Punch Clock Villain: During season 1.
  • Revolvers Are Just Better: Despite having access to high-tech weaponry, his personal gun is a big revolver.
    • Averted after Division kidnaps him; he switches to a semiautomatic, possibly because it's easier on his injured hand.
  • Sour Supporter: Of Nikita and Michael in Season 2, at least at first. He later becomes less sour as the season progresses, especially after Nikita saves him from Division.
  • The Smart Guy
  • Strangled by the Red String: Ends up with Sonya out of nowhere in the Season 2 finale.
  • Techno Wizard: "I own Division." If it's networked, Birkhoff can hack into it.
  • Took a Level in Badass: Between Seasons One and Two, and again after he was kidnapped and tortured by Division. He now keeps a gun close by at all times.
  • Uncle Pennybags: Was the somewhat reluctant financier of Team Nikita throughout Season Two, until his money - all twenty million of it - was lost.

Amanda

"I've done this before. All the drug addicts that wind up here as recruits, I'm practically running a rehab clinic."
Played By: Melinda Clarke

Known as the "Inquisitor", Amanda is responsible for mentally breaking down recruits before manipulating them into giving their loyalty to Division. She often acts as an advisor to Percy.

In season 2 Amanda desposes Percy as head of Division and allies herself with Alex. She attempts to rob Percy of the power he still holds by finding the Black Box master drive. She is revealed as a partner of Ari Tasarov.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Thom

"You'll be ok, Alex. You're strong... Stronger than me. I knew it the day I met you."
Played By: Ashton Holmes

A young Division recruit on the verge of becoming a full agent. He tries to take care of new recruits and soon develops a romantic interest in Alex.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Jaden

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm kicking your ass!"
Played By: Tiffany Hines

An aggressive Division recruit, Jaden often clashes with Alex and develops a heated mutual rivalry with her.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Sean Pierce

"I got a merit badge in lying."
Played By: Dillon Casey

A Navy SEAL and agent of Oversight, the council in charge of Division, Sean is sent to keep an eye on Amanda to ensure she doesn't become out-of-control as Percy did.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Recurring

Carla Bennett

"Sometimes you have to put what's right ahead of your personal feelings, for the greater good."
Played By: Erica Gimpel

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Nathan Colville

Played By: Thad Luckenbill

Alex's new neighbour following her graduation and subsequent move into a civilian apartment.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:
  • Cassandra Truth: Returns to Alex's apartment after she tells him she is a government assassin. Thinking this is her trying to break up with him in a cruel way, he leaves. When he returns, Jaden is in Alex's apartment and he mockingly asks if she is "another government assassin." This, arguably unexpectedly ends in Nathan having to shoot Jaden to protect Alex, probably realising that Alex is actually a government assassin
  • Dysfunctional Family: Alex's hallucinations in "Echoes" shows her subconscious desire to settle down, as they are, in that particular dream state, married with a daughter. Played rather humourously when Alex asks if he has "seen a little girl" (asking about her younger self that has been running around her subconscious with her) and he merely states that he was perfectly capable of looking after their daughter.
  • Nice Guy
  • UST
  • What the Hell, Hero?: Reacts badly to Alex's truth, and Jaden's death.

Owen Elliot

Played By: Devon Sawa

Originally a 'cleaner' for Division, Owen was later made into a Guardian. As a Guardian, he's responsible for keeping one of Percy's many black boxes safe and secure. While on mission, he fell in love with a civilian who was subsequently killed by Division. He now works to bring down Division while sometimes assisting Nikita.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

The Engineer

Played By: Jon Gries

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Ryan Fletcher

Played By: Noah Bean

A junior CIA agent and analyst who was attempting to uncover Division, which was regarded as an urban legend among his peers. After discovering the truth, he becames an ally of Nikita.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Patrick Miller

Played By: William deVry

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Daniel Monroe

Played By: Sebastien Roberts

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Cassandra Ovechkin

Played By: Helena Mattson

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:
  • The Mole: Cassandra was infiltrated by MI 6 into Ovechkin's circles, and her handlers were overjoyed when she became his wife. And then if that wasn't enough, it's revealed that she's actually a Gogol agent, sent to infiltrate MI 6.
  • Working with the Ex: She was in a sexual relationship with Michael, as part of a honey trap Division ran on her. She later has to work with him a few times to get herself and her son out of danger.

Senator Madeline Pierce

Played By: Alberta Watson

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Roan

Played By: Rob Stewart

Percy's loyal right-hand man and the most notable "cleaner" working for Division. He's often engaged for Percy's most personal and sensitive missions.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Sergei Semak

Played By: Peter J Lucas

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Sonya

Played By: Lyndie Greenwod

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Kasim Tariq

Played By: Haaz Sleiman

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

Ari Tasarov

"If I wanted you dead...you'd be dead."

Played By: Peter Outerbridge

A description of the character goes here.

Tropes exhibited by this character include:

  1. the Beretta M9, US military standard issue sidearm