One of the most enjoyable aspects of following a TV series is watching how characters change and develop throughout, although some characters have much more drastic arcs than others. Whether through an internal transformation that sees them question the very nature of their selfhood or exterior factors that cause them to reconsider the foundations of their identity, watching characters learn and grow adds depth to a series narrative. While certain genres, like classic sitcoms, are defined by characters resetting at the beginning of each episode, others have their cast members change drastically throughout the series run.
Many of the greatest shows ever featured extraordinary character arcs that helped turn the show from simply good to an all-time classic. Whether it is in animated series, supernatural stories, or intense dramas, a good character arc can make or break a show’s success, and strong characterization can be a defining factor in whether viewers tune in season after season. All of these character arcs offered something special and represented a prime example of extraordinary television writing.
10
Zuko
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 – 2008)
While Aang’s journey to maintaining harmony among the world’s four nations was the narrative throughline of Avatar: The Last Airbender, the most interesting character arc in the entire series was actually for the villainous Zuko. As the eldest child of the Fire Lord Ozai, Zuko’s status as banished prince meant he devoted three years of his life to capturing the long-lost Avatar and attempting to restore his honor among his people and, most importantly, his father. With actions driven not by personal desirebut a need for love from his dad, despite being a villain, Zuko’s motivations were incredibly human.
While this drive for acceptance laid the foundations for his character, throughout the three seasons of Avatar, Zuko rejected these expectations and pushed back against his toxic upbringing. As Zuko struggled with his identity issues, he always had the guidance of his wise Uncle Iroh, the only figure in his life who appeared to treat him with decency and acted as an important mentor. With a transformation of character rooted in change and self-discovery, watching Zuko slowly realize he wasn’t so villainous after all made for poignant viewing.
9
Willow Rosenberg
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
Although it’s true that Buffy Summers went through an extraordinary journey as she discovered her destiny as the one true slayer tasked with saving Sunnydale from supernatural forces, it was her best friend and classmate, Willow Rosenberg, who went through an even more drastic change. From a meek and quiet teenager to a mighty witch, Willow also tapped into the supernatural as she assisted with stopping evil forces from wreaking havoc on their Hellmouth-adjacent town.
Not only was Willow’s character arc transformative from a narrative point of view, but it was also trailblazing for television as a whole, as her discovery of her LGBTQ+ identity and relationship with her girlfriend Tara broke down TV boundaries. While Willow was always a good-natured addition to the Scooby Gang, the untimely death of Tara led to another shocking change as she embraced evil and briefly turned into the season six antagonist, Dark Willow. As a character defined by change and trauma, Willow had one of Buffy’s most well-rounded character arcs.
8
Peggy Olson
Mad Men (2007 – 2017)
Set in the male-dominated world of New York advertising agencies during the 1960s, the story of Peggy Olson was always one of the most fascinating aspects of Mad Men. As a character introduced as Don Draper’s secretary in the pilot episode, Peggy quickly established herself as a creative force at Sterling Cooper who was more than capable of delivering work equal to or superior to her male counterparts. Peggy changes drastically throughout the show, and her journey represents the growing freedoms women gained amid the civil rights and rapidly changing era in which it was set.
Peggy’s naivety was on display right from the beginning as she found herself taken in by a misjudged brief affair with her colleague Pete Campbell, through which she fell pregnant and gave the child up for adoption. Challenging circumstances like this shaped Peggy’s character as she became increasingly willing to push back the expectations that society had unfairly placed on her.
7
Jaime Lannister
Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)
To base the character of Jaime Lannister on just the first season of Game of Thrones alone would reveal a morally corrupt and arrogant man whose main claim to fame was ruthlessly killing the king and pursuing an incestuous relationship with his sister. However, over time, Jaime’s callous exterior gave way to a character arc that revealed extreme emotional vulnerability and a kindhearted interior.
The catalyst for Jaime’s changing character was Brienne of Tarth, the female knight who vowed to return the captive Jaime Lannister to King’s Landing in exchange for Sansa and Arya Stark. The challenges these two faced together brought out Jaime’s buried humanity as he sought to defend the weak, questioned his loyalty to Cersei, and redeemed himself in the eyes of those who criticized him. Throughout Game of Thrones, Jaime turned from one of the most despicable characters in the series to among the most likable.
Game Of Thrones
- Release Date
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2011 – 2018
- Showrunner
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David Benioff
, D.B. Weiss - Directors
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David Nutter
, Alan Taylor
, D.B. Weiss
, David Benioff
Stream
6
Jimmy McGill
Better Call Saul (2015 – 2022)
While Breaking Bad viewers spend the entire show wondering where Walter White would end up, Better Call Saul inverted its character arc as audiences question how Jimmy McGill could possibly become Saul Goodman. This prequel series used the audience’s pre-knowledge to its advantage, as seeing Jimmy start off as a lawyer who genuinely wants to follow the letter of the law was disarming at first. As Better Call Saul progressed, it was hard not to feel saddened at the knowledge of where Jimmy would end up and the soulless nature of his Saul Goodman persona.
However, the genius of Jimmy’s character arc in Better Call Saul was that it retroactively added depth to his performance in Breaking Bad. Returning to both series with the full knowledge of Jimmy’s arc meant it was easy to see how his time assisting Walter White was informed by his complex relationship with his brother Chuck and estrangement from the love of his life, Kim Wexler. While audiences spent most of the show’s run waiting for Jimmy to turn into Saul, by the time it actually came, the character arc was so tragic they’d wish it had never happened at all.
5
June Osborne
The Handmaid’s Tale (2017 – Present)
The multiple names audiences know June Osborne as throughout The Handmaid’s Tale were a testament to the drastic nature of her character arc. From the meek servitude of Offred to the political alliances of Ofjoseph #2, June’s life under the totalitarian society of Gilead was one of perseverance, determination, and martyrdom. Based on the cult feminist novel by Margaret Atwood, this Hulu adaptation moved past its source material to depict June as not just a victim of Gilead’s oppression but as its potential savior.
When audiences first met June, she was a handmaiden who was stripped of her autonomy and forced to give up her body due to the laws of a corrupt government. However, June’s resilience and determination to reunite with her long-lost daughter and husband caused her to resist these oppressive forces and slowly build up a network of like-minded women willing to fight for their freedom. As a resistance icon and freedom fighter, June’s story saw her change drastically throughout.
The Handmaid’s Tale
- Release Date
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2017 – 2024
- Showrunner
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Bruce Miller
- Writers
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Bruce Miller
, Margaret Atwood
Stream
4
Philip Jennings
The Americans (2013 – 2018)
Despite never gaining as much cultural relevance as some other shows that were on the air at the same time, The Americans quietly had some of the greatest characterizations on television. As a period spy drama set during the Cold War, The Americans followed Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet spies posing as an American married couple running a travel agency. As a character of deep convictions, it was thrilling to watch Philip’s identity unravel as he questioned the very foundations of his selfhood throughout the series of six seasons.
Philip went through many drastic changes throughout The Americans, such as his realization that his sham marriage to Elizabeth had transformed into a genuine love for his wife. This secret spy also found himself questioning the nature of his ideological stance as he grew to appreciate aspects of American culture and the family he had brought up within it. The Americans was a thrilling series that tapped into themes of capitalism, identity, and romance, all of which were embodied through Philip’s engrossing arc.
3
Kevin Garvey
The Leftovers (2014 – 2017)
The extraordinary HBO series The Leftovers powerfully dealt with themes of grief, religion, and identity in a manner unlike anything else on television. Focusing on the aftereffects of the global event known as the Sudden Departure, from which 2% of the world’s population mysteriously disappeared, The Leftovers primarily dealt with police chief Kevin Garvey, who was in the midst of an existential crisis following his wife’s leaving him behind to join a mysterious cult known as the Guilty Remnant.
Kevin’s journey throughout The Leftovers was one of spiritual discovery as he grappled with the mysterious departure and descended ever further into psychological despair and self-doubt. Through several surreal and supernatural experiences, Kevin wrestles with his purpose, identity, and potential role as a savior of mankind while carving out a new relationship with the grieving wife and mother, Nora, who lost her husband and children in the event. With a lot to say about the nature of grief in all its forms, Kevin’s arc was truly fascinating.
The Leftovers
- Release Date
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2014 – 2016
- Showrunner
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Damon Lindelof
- Writers
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Damon Lindelof
, Tom Perrotta
Stream
2
Steve Harrington
Stranger Things (2016 – Present)
Based on just Stranger Things season one, it’s hard to believe that Steve Harrington would evolve into one of the most heartwarming characters in the show. Introduced as a stereotypical jock, Steve’s characterization initially leaned into 1980s high school movie tropes of typical bullies. Despite this initial introduction, as time went on, Steve’s arc took a positive turn, and he transformed from a self-centered teenager into a protective big brother figure toward the younger characters.
By looking past his own insecurities and remaining brave in the face of grave danger, Steve conjured levels of heroism he never knew he possessed, which gave him a new level of confidence in his everyday life. Without the insecurity need to prove himself by belittling those around him, Steve was able to shed his immaturity and reveal a kindhearted, loyal, and courageous personality. While Stranger Things was packed with great characters, none of them changed for the better as drastically as Steve Harrington.
Stranger Things
- Release Date
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2016 – 2024
- Showrunner
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Matt Duffer
, Ross Duffer - Directors
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Matt Duffer
, Ross Duffer
Stream
1
Walter White
Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013)
The entire premise of Breaking Bad was based around a character arc taking about as drastic a turn as one can imagine. This was perfectly encapsulated in Walter White, the mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher who transformed into the most notorious meth cook New Mexico had ever seen. Watching as Walt’s timid demeanor gave way to the murderous ruthlessness of Heisenberg was truly one of television’s greatest character arcs, as viewers have been eternally divided over the exact point audiences should lose sympathy for this divisive protagonist.
The Walter White audiences meet in the pilot episode is a million miles away from the sinister criminal who poisoned a child, plotted the death of Gus Fring, or orchestrated the deaths of ten men in prison within a two-minute window. Without following the series episode by episode, it would be practically impossible to even imagine how Walter became such a vindictive and egotistical maniac over the course of just two years within the show’s timeline. Breaking Bad always positioned itself as a show about change, and Walter changed more than anyone.
