Blaine Devon Anderson is a fictional character from the American musical comedy-drama television series
Glee. Played by
Darren Criss, Blaine was introduced in the
sixth episode of the
second season as the
openly gay lead singer of the Dalton Academy Warblers, a rival show choir to New Directions, the show's primary musical group. Blaine initially served as a mentor for New Directions member
Kurt Hummel (
Chris Colfer). Chemistry between the two, combined with fan support for the couple, led series co-creator
Ryan Murphy to pair them romantically. Their relationship has been well received by critics, and they have been named "one of the most beloved TV couples of the millennium" by Jarett Wieselman of the
New York Post. At the beginning of the third season, Blaine transfers to McKinley High and joins New Directions; concurrently, Criss was promoted from recurring guest star to the show's main cast.