Being Erica: 10 Main Characters, Ranked By Time Travel Abilities

Being Erica (2009-2011) is a Canadian comedy-drama about a woman in her thirties named Erica Strange (Erin Karpluk). Erica’s life isn’t going exactly the way she had hoped, but a time-travel therapist teaches her how to create a more fulfilling reality. Instead of spending an hour-long therapy session talking, Erica goes back in time to re-do the moments she regrets most in her life.

The protagonist draws viewers in as she juggles the depth of her multifaceted life. Erica is not the only character with the power to travel through time, but she ranks highly in consideration of that ability. Her story is available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max.

10 Ethan

Ethan Wakefield is Erica’s first long-term boyfriend of the series. Things are messy for him in the early episodes of the show as he goes through a divorce. Ethan and Erica become more and more involved, but her view of present-day Ethan is very much informed by the Ethan she sees in her flashbacks. It seems like the two might get away with a picture-perfect love story, but Ethan can’t fully support Erica’s dreams, so they end things at the close of the second season. Ethan figures into a bunch of Erica’s memories and past regrets, but he is never an aware participant in time travel.

9 Brent

Brent Kennedy does not instigate time travel or know about Erica’s therapy, but he has a fascinating power arc in the real world. Brent works at River Rock, the publishing company Julianne and Erica work at until Brent’s dirty tactics get both women fired. He also jeopardizes their new business on purpose. Brent thinks the view from up top was made for him, but he gets knocked down a few pegs and realizes the error of his ways. The career-minded man apologizes to Erica and Julianne and eventually works for them. In a show that utilizes reliving the past, Brent is a strong example of someone who changes for the better on his own.

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8 Judith

Judith and Erica have always been best pals, but they go through some rough patches where they do not see eye to eye. The first couple seasons of the series tout Judith as the role model friend, someone who shows sound judgment and is consistently reliable. After having a baby and temporarily feeling insecure in her career, Judith starts to stumble and nearly enters an affair behind her husband’s back. The woman doesn’t seem to consciously know about time travel, but she is extremely perceptive and notices the changes in Erica, whom she previously criticized for immaturity and thoughtlessness.

7 Jenny

Jenny is one of Erica’s oldest and dearest friends, so she figures into many of the early-1990s high school flashbacks. The freewheeling character gradually irritates Erica more and more. Jenny lacks responsibility and does not fully consider the consequences of her actions.

Erica makes the difficult decision to cut Jenny out of her life, but the two women renew their friendship before the series ends, and Jenny finds her way. Even though Jenny is not expressly given time travel power, her presence in Erica’s past and present makes her a valuable piece of the continuum. In a lot of ways, what Erica is to Judith, Jenny is to Erica.

6 Julianne

Julianne Giacomelli (played by Reagan Pasternak, recently seen on Wynonna Earp) is where things get interesting. The non-fiction publishing star is Erica’s boss in the beginning of the show, but she becomes Erica’s business partner and friend after the two lose their jobs at River Rock. Julianne is driven and no-nonsense, but she is incredibly kind and warm under her polished appearance. Julianne learns about time travel just once–when Erica is given the power to freeze space and time. However, Julianne forgets about the bizarre occurrence when Erica manipulates the sands of time once again. The third season finale features a fun twist when Erica goes back in time in Julianne’s body to learn more about the so-called perfect Christmas.

5 Leo

Leo Strange is Erica’s older brother who passed away in a barn fire years ago. He is an intensely important character in Erica’s personal life and time travel progression. Erica and Leo have many childhood memories with their sister, Sam, who gradually fades from prominence on the series. Erica is tempted to erase Leo’s death but tragically learns that the event just can’t be undone. At the end of the third season, Erica must relive parts of the very first episode of the show in order to become a time travel therapist. Leo ominously materializes on a bridge as a tactic to test Erica, and she passes. In the series finale, Leo is seen in his own hallway of doors. He can open each one and relive any memory from his life. Erica helps him open the last door, a glowing portal that must lead to his afterlife.

4 Kai

Kai Booker is the first character Erica meets who is also in time-travel therapy. Kai’s therapist is Dr. Fred, and Erica learns that Kai is from the future. He goes back periodically to remedy his regrets. Kai and Erica become romantically involved, which is a problem considering that they technically live in two different decades.

Kai has a valuable piece of information about the future that severely affects Erica, but she finally learns the secret in the fourth season so that she can someday prevent it. The lovers break things off for good so that Kai can go back to the future, but they share many romantic escapades before their time together is over.

3 Adam

Adam Fizpatrick is Erica’s one true love, proving that opposites really do attract. Adam is an Irish-Canadian landscaper who meets Erica in Dr. Tom’s group therapy. As patients, Adam and Erica do not always get along, and Adam initially pushes Erica away when she expresses her feelings for him. They find their way back together and are pulled apart when Erica tampers with Adam’s day using her powers. The couple decides to give it another shot, though. Adam advances quite far in therapy, but he does not pass the doctor test.

2 Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom is Erica’s therapist. Viewers learn that the man committed suicide and was given a chance to live so that he could help others survive. Dr. Tom is not infallible; in fact, he gets into some trouble for altering the circumstances of Erica’s life (which are then reversed). For most of the series, Dr. Tom is Erica’s trusted mentor, helping her walk through doors she was always afraid of in the past. He is surpassed in power only by his therapist, Dr. Naadiyah, and his therapist’s therapist, Dr. Arthur, who some imagine to be the show’s version of God. Tom finds true love and makes the difficult decision to retire from time travel and from therapy.

1 Erica Strange

Erica Strange ends the show with the greatest power to move about time.  She has learned life-changing lessons about relationships, family dynamics, career goals, and love. Erica realizes that she can pursue her dreams and care for those in her life simultaneously, although it is a balancing act. Fans don’t get to see Erica in action as a full-fledged doctor, but they have every confidence in her ability to counsel those who are hurting or struggling in the maelstrom of life. The possibilities are endless for Dr. Erica Strange.

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