The best Mission: Impossible' characters not named Ethan Hunt

A case where even a seemingly small role can leave a big impression. So much so that Donloe's minor presence in the initial Mission: Impossible (1996) eventually led to a bigger payday in the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025). A former CIA analyst, Donloe has a brilliant mind, and some die-hard fans of the franchise rejoiced when he reappeared for the recent final film. Donloe proves to be a big help to Ethan Hunt in trying to stop the threatening artificial intelligence known as The Entity from destroying the world. 

Atwell tends to shine in just about any role she takes on, especially those of the action variety. Atwell's Grace (we never actually learn her full identity) appears in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023) and returns for The Final Reckoning (2025). She's the deuteragonist of the former, and a recovering thief who is set to steal from Ethan Hunt. but ends up befriending and working with him. Though Grace can hold her own as a thief, she might be a little vulnerable to working with Ethan and Co., but we like her spirit. And, she can handle a car extremely well.

Among the notable antagonists within the Mission: Impossible realm, specifically the final two installments, Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning. Veteran Esai Morales throws himself into the MI ring, and though Gabriel is not as devious and deliciously despised as other villains in the franchise, he's an important piece to the overall series and plays a vital part in Ethan Hunt's past. The mysterious Gabriel is essentially the reason Ethan joins the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), and has his moments of menace.

From Mission: Impossible III (2006), Crudup's Musgrave is easy to dislike. So much so that he needs to be on this list. Musgrave is introduced as the IMF's head of operations manager, but there always seemed to be something shady about him. In that weasel sort of way. Of course we learn that Musgrave is indeed corrupt and a traitor, and working with black-market trafficker Owen Davian (of course, we'll get to him), and making Hunt's life, and that of those he loves, a pain in the process.

Bassett is tough as nails when she needs to be, and her appearances in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) and The Final Reckoning further reinforce that fact. A former director of the CIA, Sloane can more than hold her own in any situation. Like most employees of the CIA, Sloane initially dislikes the IMF, but changes her tune upon experiencing Ethan Hunt's importance in keeping the world safe. Sloane eventually becomes President of the United States, a fictional position for which Bassett seemed destined to play.

Newton's presence in the MI franchise was one and done, starring at the principal deuteragonist from Mission: Impossible II (2000). In her highly anticipated role in the original sequel, Newton's Nordoff-Hall delivers the perfect mix of smart, sexy and strong. To no surprise, she becomes Ethan's love interest while working together (to take down former IMF agent turned terrorist Sean Ambrose), and the chemistry is quite good. However, Newton wanted to focus on family and did not intend to reprise her role down the road.

Perhaps not one of Baldwin's more memorable roles, but he does have a notable and applaud-worthy presence in both Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) and Fallout. A former director of the CIA, Hunley eventually becomes the Secretary of the IMF. His dialogue is splendid, subtly authoritative, and he generally has a great respect for Ethan Hunt. Hunley can also hold his own in a physical fight when needed. 

We always felt Lindsey deserved a better fate in Mission: Impossible III. As Ethan Hunt's protege within the IMF, Farris showed plenty of promise, but it felt as if the movie went on, things would not end well. Lindsey was a skilled agent, especially in martial arts, as taught to her by her mentor, Ethan. After being saved by Ethan from the likes of Musgrave and Davian, Farris met her demise via that explosive charge in her head. Saddened he was unable to save her, Hunt seemed, perhaps, the most distraught over the death of this particular character than any other within the franchise.

Another favorite from Mission: Impossible III. Zhen Lei is a no-nonsense agent who likely never met a challenge or obstacle she didn't welcome. Tough and intense, Lei, portrayed flawlessly by Maggie Q, is part of the group that teams with Ethan to try and recover the aforementioned Lindsey Farries, when she is taken hostage. It would have been nice to see Zhen Lei reappear in the franchise down the road. 

Another character that the MI faithful probably still have problems with, even if he was trying to have the best interests of the world at heart. Kittridge was there from the beginning of the franchise, serving as the ruthless deputy director of the IMF, and best known for thinking Ethan Hunt was a mole. Kittridge eventually became director of the CIA and saw Hunt as an obvious world-saving asset, and resurfaced for Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning. 

It seems there is a good faction of MI fans who have a love/hate relationship with Meade. A nurse who eventually becomes a doctor, Meade is Ethan's love interest, beginning in
Mission: Impossible III, and is seen in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) and Fallout. Julia and Ethan marry, but after she is kidnapped and eventually forced to fake her death, both she and Hunt realize that the union can't work. Julia can be tough, when needed, perhaps more than expected. Despite the dissolution of their marriage, Julia and Ethan hold a mutual admiration for each other. 

Within the MI realm, Carter is often regarded as one of the best "one-and-done" characters. Via a subtly spectacular performance from Patton, Carter is a memorable, revenge-seeking, scene-stealing IMF operative from Ghost Protocol. Focused on taking down French assassin Sabine Moreau for killing her significant other and fellow agent Trevor Hanaway, Patton is definitely good at her job. However, the balance needed to succeed in this particular situation is quite intriguing when emotion is so heavily involved. 

Another memorable character was introduced in Ghost Protocol and seen again in Rogue Nation. Renner's Brandt might be the most complex character in the franchise's history. He thought he failed Ethan after thinking Julia was killed, and his field agent's confidence was severely shaken. However, Ethan believed in Brandt, who physically could handle the job (supremely skillful in hand-to-hand combat) and is highly intelligent, and got him back in action. Brandt is a likable character who is easy to root for. 

AKA "White Widow." An antagonist of both Fallout, and most notably Dead Reckoning. Though Alanna funds her philanthropic work through illegal arms dealing, she is quite the smooth operator. Sophisticated, yet deadly when need be. She can handle a knife quite well, and proves dependable while helping the CIA and Ethan's crew at IMF. With Alanna, there is always a means to an end -- regardless of whether it's good or bad.   

Another memorable MI antagonist. Lane can be found in three films -- Rogue Nation, Fallout and The Final Reckoning. Lane proves a worthy adversary of Ethan Hunt while leading the rogue operation known as the Syndicate. In fact, he's essentially an evil Hunt -- good at his job but for all the wrong reasons as he tries to end the IMF. The underrated Harris is brilliant in the role, making for one smarmy but delightfully evil character, who is easy to appreciate because of the performance.

One of Ethan's most dependable assets and teammates at IMF. A technician-turned field agent, Dunn has appeared in six of the eight movies within the franchise, beginning with Mission: Impossible III and concluding with The Final Reckoning. The character, which has grown professionally and emotionally throughout the course of the franchise, will certainly go down as one of the best from the always-stellar Simon Pegg. He's also one of the most likable characters in MI history.

Sticking with the bad guys, there are plenty of MI supporters who believe that Walker is the best villain within the franchise. From Fallout, Walker is an imposing menace -- both physically and intellectually. He certainly gives Ethan a run for his money, perhaps more so than any antagonist in the history of the movie franchise. A former CIA operative, Walker is a turncoat who works for the Apostles as they pursue a new world order. Also, Walker goes out with a literal bang, while being aided by a helicopter hook to the forehead, courtesy of Ethan.

It wasn't an easy choice, but for our money, the aforementioned Owen Davian is the best of a pretty good lot when it comes to Mission: Impossible villains. Davian, famously played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, reigned down misery on Ethan Hunt and the IMF crew during Mission: Impossible III --and is referenced in Fallout and The Final Reckoning. The character is a megalomaniac who is highly ruthless and a sadist, while caught up in the plot involving the famed "Rabbit's Foot." The role is made all the more enticing due to Hoffman, who arguably delivers the most evil performance of his legendary career.

The venerable Stickell (in one of Rhames' career-defining roles) joins Cruise's Ethan Hunt as the only characters to appear in all eight of the Mission: Impossible movies within the franchise. Highly dependable and intelligent, Luther has long been Ethan's right-hand man. They've seen, done, and survived just about every situation or deadly challenge possible. Stickell, like Rhames, himself, is one cool customer considering the nature and danger associated with his job.

First introduced in Rogue Nation, then part of Fallout and Dead Reckoning, Faust quickly blossomed into one of the most important and beloved characters in the history of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Faust started out as a deep-cover assassin for the Syndicate, and eventually made her way into Ethan's camp, though she remained a conflicted character throughout her run. An emotional vulnerability that was hidden by her tough and strong-willed outer facade. Some of the franchise's most notable moments involve the interaction between Faust and Hunt, such as the first time they met, when the former interrogated the latter. It's also a testament to Ferguson, who more than held her own opposite Cruise.