Which of this fall’s new TV characters are worth watching?

By Matt Roush NTVB Media

5 years ago

STUMPTOWN - "Forget it Dex, It's Stumptown." - Dex Parios - a strong, assertive and s ... — STUMPTOWN – "Forget it Dex, It’s Stumptown." – Dex Parios – a strong, assertive and sharp-witted army veteran with a complicated love life, gambling debt and a brother to take care of – works as a PI in Portland, Oregon. With only herself to rely on, she solves other people’s messes with a blind eye toward her own, finding herself at odds with the police and in the firing line of criminals, on the series premiere of "Stumptown," WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Mitch Haaseth) COBIE SMULDERS

Question: I love “Lucifer”! It has a sexy, smart, rascal lead who relishes the freedom to not follow the rules, struggles with evolving ethics and loyalties, but is grounded by a core of integrity. I’m looking for another playful, clever, rascal character this fall. Can you help me find one? — Corinna

Matt Roush: The one breakout character of the season who best fits this bill is Portland, Oregon’s “scrappy and sexy” P.I. Dex Parios, played by the terrific Cobie Smulders in ABC’s “Stumptown.”

Dex breaks the rules, can dish it out and take it, and reminds me of a female Rockford (James Garner, look it up, a classic). She’s wildly appealing, even when her behavior is borderline appalling, and embodies the spirit you seem to be looking for.

I hope the show lives up to my very high expectations and finds an audience on Wednesdays. “Stumptown” is great fun.

To submit questions to TV Critic Matt Roush, go to tvinsider.com.