For as long as television shows continue to run, there will be characters that develop into complex beings to stir the audience’s emotions and become a subject of study for the ages. When conceived well, a TV character arc transforms a typical role into a brilliant TV icon. We’ve all seen those characters that evolve in the most realistic and compelling ways season after season, and they ultimately become definitive to the show and it is impossible to imagine the story without them.
The writers creating these characters have years worth of time to unfold new events and instances. They craft a slow-burning transformation, making viewers eager in anticipation. They develop new layers through trial and error. And admit it, nothing thrills quite like witnessing a character we have followed for years finally coming into their own. It’s what keeps us going.
For audiences, one of the most satisfying character arcs is growth. Whether a character moves past trauma, adjusts to loss, or embraces a newfound purpose, watching them ultimately evolve into a better, wiser version of themselves can outweigh any plot twist. When done gracefully, a character arc can elevate the story from a flawed outing to a healthier series. Every speck of chipping flaw and every ounce of realized strength feels our own, making their journey more personal and resonant than ever.
This list celebrates some of television’s finest, most captivating, and expertly crafted character arcs. From identity journeys that span decades to single-season transformations that are awe-inspiring, these are the TV character arcs that have stayed with us and continue to remind us of the power of humanity and the very fleeting nature of journeys that often feel timeless.
20 Mona – Pretty Little Liars
At first Mona simply seemed like the typical mean girl archetype – quirky, socially laid back, and shunned by the more popular girl, which gives her a motive to lash out. And Pretty Little Liars reveals Mona’s dark side in the most complex but obvious ways.
The show portrays her as the mysterious stalker ‘A,’ who torments others. Mona’s villainous character gives Janel Parrish a chance to shine. But over seasons, viewers empathize with her motivation and see beyond her criminal shell, acknowledging her trauma. Even she moves past her malice, is present for Hannah, Mike, and her mom, and grows beautifully. By the end, she uses her intelligence for good, redeems herself as a friend to the PLL girls, and helps to finally bring down ‘A.’
19 Alexis – Schitt’s Creek
Look at her once, and Alexis is nothing more than an out-of-touch spoiled socialite, draping herself in high fashion and living off her family’s wealth, and bragging about her weird experiences. But upon another glance, you see how the financial ruin forcing the Roses into small-town motel life allows Alexis to blossom into the most interesting people. She went from being a material girl to taking matters into her own hands by finishing school, enrolling in business class, and starting her own line. She begins to recognize her talents and gains confidence beyond her looks, inching towards independence day after day.
She not only becomes a better person, but her relationship with Moira also shifts dramatically. Moreover, Annie Murphy’s performance brings emotional depth and wit to Alexis’ journey, making her growth from superficiality to self-awareness feel immensely satisfying.
18 Starlight – The Boys
The superhero genre rarely offers a relatable teen hero, but Starlight gives audiences just that. For a show that is overflowing with prominent personalities, to serve as the deuteragonist and do it right is a great feat in itself. Starlight starts off as a typical wide-eyed ingénue excited to be a part of the elite superhero team, The Seven. But she soon discovers the team is led by a corrupt leader, and her disgust drives her action. It is in the moment that Annie “Starlight” January chooses truth and justice over obedience that her virtues really shine.
Erin Moriarty expertly channels Starlight’s tough exterior and vulnerable interior. The way she grows into her powers for good, while battling toxic masculinity is extremely praiseworthy. The Boysgrounds its over-the-top violence and satire in Starlight’s hopeful journey.
17 Bonnie Bennett – The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is full of standard sidekicks, and Bonnie Bennett is one of the more important ones. The witchy best friend helping Elena deal with vampires is initially quite distrustful of her own powers. But over the seasons, Bonnie undergoes one of TVD‘s richest character journeys. Her supernatural abilities awaken at great personal cost. She has grieved and lost, watching both her grandmother and mother die to protect those she loves. But with her growing pain comes great power and greater responsibility – something she never really signed up for.
And yet, Bonnie chooses to maintain her humanity and fight alongside her friends. Kat Graham is incredible as Bonnie, showing dire strength and emotions as she transforms from a scared teenager into a formidable witch willing to sacrifice everything for her chosen family.
16 April – Parks and Recreation
It is not unusual to see character growth in a sitcom, especially a satire mockumentary. Parks and Recreation’s April was considered an apathetic slacker when the show started, but over time, she revealed hidden layers as she learned to open up and trust people. She was still a cynic, no doubt, but she finds purpose in her existence and becomes her own person.
Aubrey Plaza, who plays April, brings a deadpan and snarky charm to the character, almost inviting us into her rebellious but tender heart. From one relationship to another and a disastrous wedding that shatters her confidence, April commits herself to be optimistic and hopeful, finds joy in simple pleasures, and learns to trust herself, showing how growth really comes when you step out of your comfort zone.
15 Sansa Stark – Game of Thrones
When we first meet her in Winterfell, sheltered with the Starks, Sansa Stark seems naive and foolishly dreams of a fairy tale life. But when Ned leaves for King’s Landing, and Winterfell falls, she is forced to survive court intrigues and abuse. That’s when she undergoes one of the most harrowing and epic character journeys of the entire series. Played by Sophie Turner, Sansa’s transformation from a shallow girl into a sharp-witted, resilient woman is truly the best. She learns from Littlefinger’s political machinations and yet, remembers to maintain her honor, compassion, and strength.
By the finale, Sansa emerges as a wise and just queen. She portrays herself as a woman who took notes from the errors of men who came before her rather than succumbing to their wrongs.
14 The Big Three – This Is Us
This Is Us tells the story of three siblings – Kevin, Kate, and Randall Pearson – woven together with the events of their parents’ lives. The show follows The Big Three from childhood into adulthood, exploring great and small events that shape them into entirely different people while still staying connected as a family. Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, and Sterling K. Brown, bring in an authentic, lived-in richness to their characters, making them as surprising as they are relatable.
Randall grows from an insecure orphan struggling to fit into a confident leader who finds strength in empathy. Kate transforms from an overweight girl hiding inside food to a woman learning self-acceptance and empowerment through hard work. And Kevin moves past his pretty boy persona to discover meaning beyond fame and fortune. Through its multi-generational narrative, This Is Us shows that our family may form our first identities, but they do not define who we become. That’s on us.
13 Walter White – Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad has created a phenomenon ever since it aired, not only for its compelling plot but for the way it shapes its characters through the situations they are in. When Walter White was first introduced to the audiences, he was a meek, unfulfilled high school chemistry teacher dying of cancer. But out of desperation to pay his medical bills and provide for his family, White transforms himself into a drug kingpin Heisenberg in one of fiction’s most shocking character arcs.
But that’s not all. His ruthlessness and need for control over money and power drive him to extreme ends and makes him destroy what he loves most, and by the end director Vince Gilligan does not even give his character a chance to redeem himself. Despite good intentions, Walt’s transformation from underdog to a monster is proof that a character journey may conclude as an ultimate tragedy too.
12 Brooke Davis – One Tree Hill
Known popularly as the airheaded One Tree Hill cheerleader, Brooke Davis grows into one of the show’s wisest and most deserving souls. Despite having an absentee father who gave Brooke some severe trust issues that plagued her current relationships, she discovered the kind of inner strength you find from love and family and friends who become your chosen family.
After an abortion painfully cuts her off from motherhood, Brooke takes the loss and cradles it in her arms, only to shower it all on the twins that come into her life later. Sophia Bush is absolutely breathtaking as Brooke when she reveals her untapped ability to feel empathy and to self-refect. Brooke emerges from an insecure teenager to a mentor, mom, and businesswoman who has learned the hardest life lessons.
11 Steve – Stranger Things
Stranger Things is set in a fantastical world, yes. But the kids are all impossible not to relate to. As for Steve, with his classic ‘80s mullet, he starts his journey as the stereotypical bully jock who might seem like the cool and bold type, but really is just as sensitive. With humor and vulnerability, Steve undergoes one of the most favored character transformations on TV. From mentoring the younger kids and protecting them from dangers with his baseball bat, Steve learns that true power comes not from dominating others but from being selfless and putting others first. He becomes kind and loving and a committed caregiver to the kids.
Joe Keery is stunning in the role of big brother, and of course, his chemistry with Nancy and Robin is just too perfect.
10 Loki – Loki
Once an arrogant trickster who would manipulate others without a second thought if it meant him some gain, Loki somewhat becomes a hero of sorts. After being displaced in the chaotic Time Variance Authority, Loki encounters versions of himself that challenge his narcissism. There is a portrayal of his past cruelty as well as the potential for growth and, eventually happiness. Especially when he meets Sylvie. All that mischief got immediately overpowered by a deep longing for love, and Loki beings to see others as more than just pawns in his little games. He even risks his life to save them. By the finale, Loki decides to pick a side and chooses good over evil, chooses to love and be loved in return.
9 Rebecca – Ted Lasso
Rebecca’s story in Ted Lasso starts with her seeking revenge against her ex-husband for cheating on her, but by the time the third season rolls out, she is a completely different person. Hannah Waddingham ingrains Rebecca with warmth, emotional depth, and a relatable wit. In the beginning, she is consumed by rage and trauma, so she pushes people away to safeguard her feelings. But Ted’s relentless empathy and optimism finally crack her armor and allows kindness to seep into her life.
While the earlier seasons focus on her backstory, season three beings a vital motherhood arc that allows us to see her in a different light. Rebecca emerges stronger, wiser, ready for love, and eager to raise a child. How that turns out is better witnessed on screen, but her journey from an icy, controlling woman to an openhearted one is truly inspiring.
8 Diane Nguyen – BoJack Horseman
A show that probably features more troubled and traumatized characters than any other in the era, BoJack Horseman is the very definition of growth arcs. In the show, Diane starts out as BoJacks ghost-writer – a punching bag and voice of reason for his memoir. She carries her trademark cynicism and hides her yearning for the perfect, content, happy life of meaning. But the more time she spends with BoJack, the more fleshed-out her character becomes. She confronts her depression, anxiety, self-loathing, past trauma, and body-image issues and lets her guard down. She asserts herself at work, asks for what she needs in a relationship, and never backs down.
A true inspiration to women, Alison Brie’s character shows how heartbreaking the journey can be toward hope, but it is important to keep going.
7 Lydia Martin – Teen Wolf
Supernatural teen drama calls for a diverse range of personalities when it comes to the characters. While one’s a goody-two-shoes, the other can be the rebellious, rule-breaking kind. Lydia Martin fell into the first category. She was a formal popular girl, often defenseless and selfish, but there was this hidden depth to her that surfaced only when the supernatural elements of the show were at peak. Initially rejecting the attack by then-Alpha Werewolf, she recognizes and harnesses her abilities as a Banshee, learning to depend on herself and those who truly see her gifted mind, finding community among fellow outcasts. She becomes an invaluable member of the show and, time and again, fights to save her friends. Lydia was a true leader at heart.
6 Caroline Forbes – The Vampire Diaries
In the beginning of The Vampire Diaries, Caroline Forbes is a shallow and narcissistic cheerleader-slash-queen-bee-slash-honor-student of Mystic Falls High School. But her arc shifts from a gullible, spoiled human to a formidable vampire to one of TVD’s most impressive heroines. The thing is, she has always had this darkness inside of her, and it was only a matter of time before someone would come along and help her channel that in the most compassionate ways. From being a fake friend to being the person who has got literally everyone’s back to mothering two children who weren’t even hers, Caroline has probably seen more development than anyone in the show. Candice King’s character falls in love deeply yet remains fiercely loyal to her friends.
5 Eleanor Shellstrop – The Good Place
Eleanor’s journey in The Good Place itself begins with a lie. She lands in the good part of the afterlife because of her selfish and manipulative ways. But deep down, Eleanor has a distinct and sprawling room for growth. Kristen Bell perfectly captures her snark and reckless behavior. Despite being extremely unlikable in the beginner, under Michael’s influence, she starts making small improvements by performing tiny acts of kindness. But her breakthrough comes when Eleanor is faced with a choice, and she picks her friends, even at the cost of her own desires. She becomes a champion for the overlooked, she fights injustice, and shows wisdom and humanity with a big heart. Alongside Chidi, her maturity is a force to be reckoned with. Eleanor’s journey from a selfish cynic to a selfless hero reminds us that we are all works in progress.
4 Zuko – Avatar: The Last Airbender
In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko was a rebellious teen and a stock villain, an angry exiled prince obsessed with regaining his honor. But his epic character arcs turn him into one of fiction and animation’s most complex, morally conflicted heroes. Zuko possessed this raw energy fueled by rage. He had deep-seated wounds of parental rejection and shame, and the only purpose in life, he thought, was to capture Aang. But once he realized that his true honor lay within him, Zuko chose to fight beside the Avator, rejecting his father’s long-running legacy of lies, violence, and oppression. By the finale, Zuko is transformed into a wise ruler.
3 Jimmy McGill – Better Call Saul
Jimmy McGill only had a small role in Breaking Bad, but once he had his own show titled Better Call Saul, his dramatic character arc was up there with Walter White. You can call him by different names. Ex-con Jimmy McGill. His alter ego Saul Goodman. The eventual alias Gene Takovic. We first met him as a small-time con man and hustler, but across the seasons, we watch him transform into a criminal lawyer.
With charm and wit, he battled his inner demons and darker impulses, and surfaced as a compelling anti-hero. Earlier, Bob Odernkirk’s character used his showmanship skills to take risks and pull of scams, justifying his actions as harmless pranks. But Jimmy’s arc sees a tragic turn when he accepts his choices and resents himself to the point of surrender. He even goes to jail for the woman he loves, making us feel like there his hope for him after all.
2 Nick – New Girl
New Girl was a lighthearted comedy that touched the hearts of viewers for its adorable characters. Jess, Schmidt, and Winston were all likable in their own quirks, but it was Nick Miller that really struck a chord. At first, Nick was but a directionless slacker hiding behind childish pranks and casual relationships. But as the seasons advance, Jake Johnson perfectly rendered Nick’s emotional maturation.
After getting together with Jess and then going through a disastrous breakup, it was as if he had a spiritual awakening. He was still his dorky self, but he had recommitted to becoming a better person. He formed deeper bonds with Winston and Coach, learned how to be vulnerable, put his trust in the right people, and opened up about his feelings. His love for Jess pushed him to become the emotionally available partner she deserves. And by the end, Nick Miller became a walking green flag.
1 Adam Groff – Sex Education
The Groff men were somehow the only bad seeds in Sex Education. Besides Isaac. Adam Groff was portrayed as a school bully and a loner. He had once lashed out at Eric and made him a laughing stock in front of everybody. Slowly and steadily, the show focused on his insecurities and made the audience realize just how sensitive he really was. His nature stemmed from his strict and unfeeling father (who also transformed dramatically) coupled with the confusion about his own sexual identity. But after confessing his feelings for Eric and experiencing real empathy and acceptance, Adam’s calloused exterior began to chip away. He even made a beautiful friend in Lola. He not only get the support he needed from his friends and family, but also believed himself worthy of happiness.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
