History LastNameBasis / LiveActionTv

** A handful of recurring characters on the show are referred to exclusively by their last names, with the most prominent examples likely being (Steven) Gomez and (Patrick) Kuby.

* In 15 seasons of ''Series/{{ER}}'', you could probably count on one hand the number of times John Carter was called by his first name John or Simply just his surname Carter just about everyone an By the ER staff Calls him Carter, anyway--his parents an grandparents and his wife, did call him "John".

** Harold Finch regularly addresses people formally, and usually only calls Reese "John" [[YouCalledMeXItMustBeSerious when he's worried about him and/or Reese is in more danger than usual]] (although since Reese and Finch aren't their real last names (which have not been revealed), it's more like Assumed Last Name Basis). This includes always referring to Root as "Ms. Groves" even though she always calls him "Harold"--in her case it's because she started off as a villain and it takes a long time for Finch to accept her as a FireForgedFriend.

** Harold Finch regularly addresses people formally, and usually only calls Reese "John" [[YouCalledMeXItMustBeSerious when he's worried about him and/or Reese is in more danger than usual]] (although since Reese and Finch aren't their real last names (which have not been revealed), it's more like Assumed Last Name Basis). This includes always referring to Root as Ms. Groves, although she always calls him "Harold"--though in her case it's because she started off as a villain and it takes a long time for Finch to accept her as a FireForgedFriend.

* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': Finch regularly addresses everyone formally, and usually only calls Reese "John" when he's worried about him and/or Reese is in more danger than usual. Although since Reese and Finch aren't their real last names (Which have not been revealed), it's more like Assumed Last Name Basis. This includes always referring to Root as Ms. Groves, although she always calls him "Harold".
** Sameen Shaw is generally referred to by her last name Shaw.
** Detective Carter likewise went by this to the point that when she was asked for her first name by Fusco, she said it was Detective.

** An accidental characterization point in "Ensign Ro." Picard starts by addressing Ro Laren as "Ensign Laren," and she corrects him that "Laren" is actually her given name (Bajorans place the family name firs) and she should be referred to as "Ensign Ro." Picard seems half indignant at being corrected by a subordinate (who is already on thin ice with the crew), half chagrined to have made such a basic error in cultural sensitivity.

** Notably averted in Next Gen and newer series, however. While characters regularly refer to each other by their titles and last names while on the job, it's not at all unusual for characters who are friends to refer to each other by their first names. And then there's Seven, who is always (of necessity) referred to by her "first name".

* ''Series/BlakesSeven'' especially in reference to Kerr Avon Is only Avon. Even his girlfriend only ever called him Avon. Paul Darrow speculated that was because "Kerr" isn't a very good first name.

* In ''Series/{{Diablero}}, Ventura is usually called either by his surname or his title, Father (padre in Spanish, or the slightly-condescending diminutive form padrecito). Hardly anyone ever calls him "Ramiro."

** PlayedForLaughs with Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, who introduces himself by insisting everyone call him by his [[FriendlyAddressPrivileges first name]], a request that is routinely ignored by [[RunningGag everyone]]. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in one episode by Rollins.
-->'''Carisi:''' Dominick Carisi. Call me Sonny.
-->'''Rollins:''' Why? No one else has.

* In ''Series/CSIMiami'' With two execptions, all the main characters are on a first name basis; Tim Speedler usually goes by a shortened version of his last name, "Speed", and Horatio always calls Ryan "Mr. Wolfe". (Horatio himself is referred to as "H" most of the time.)

** Noticeably averted by Agents Doggett and Reyes, who are on a FirstNameBasis with each other after having worked together to solve the murder of Doggett's son years prior. They are, however, on LastNameBasis with everyone ''else'' in the series, including Mulder and Scully.

*** In private she always called him Miles; this may be a reflection of her Asian heritage.

* Wash, basically, on ''{{Series/Firefly}}''. Even his wife calls him Wash. it’s short for Washburne, and it could be he’s just not fond of his actual first name “Hoban”.