Based on The Mortal Instruments book series by Cassandra Clare, Shadowhunters follows Clary Fray, an eighteen-year-old girl who finds out she's part of a race of humans born with angel blood. With angels come demons and plenty of other supernatural creatures that Shadowhunters are trained to defend the world against.
The hatred between Shadowhunters and Downworlders had been going on for centuries, but when Clary's best friend is turned into a vampire, she begins to learn how harmful the prejudices in the Shadow World can be. No matter their species, all of the characters in Shadowhunters are well-developed and an integral part of the show.
Maryse Lightwood
Maryse wasn't a very likable person at the beginning of the series, but she has incredible character development and begins to fight for her children's happiness. She is almost unrecognizable from the person she was when she tried to marry Alec off.
Maryse is kind, and she learned to start consulting her heart instead of only listening to her head. She will do anything to protect her family, and took Jace into her home and loved him as if he were her own son.
Luke Garroway
Luke is the closest thing Clary has to a father after her mother is killed in the first season of the show. Clary is his priority, and everything he does is to keep her safe. However, Luke is also the leader of a werewolf pack, which often led to a conflict of interests.
Because of the bad blood between Shadowhunters and Downworlders, Luke's pack felt like he wasn't always putting them first. They were right, to an extent, as Clary is his daughter, but Luke cared about everyone and continued to broker for peace.
Raphael Santiago
No one who hadn't read the books could have expected that Raphael would become such a valuable ally. His relationship with Simon was rocky and borderline murderous at some points, but he did get Simon through his transition into a vampire.
Raphael even had a romance with Isabelle, during which he reveals to her that he is asexual. Shadowhunters has always strived to create interesting and diverse characters, and Raphael is just one of the many examples of their success.
Clary Fray
Being the protagonist isn't what makes a character great, and while there was nothing wrong with Clary, she was outshined by the other members of the cast. Protagonists need to stand out from others on television, but there wasn't much more to her than kindness and heroism.
They're both admirable traits, but they're also something that most mains have. Clary was an unstoppable force and the catalyst of many plot lines, but she wasn't as unique as the surrounding characters.
Maia Roberts
Maia is one of the strongest characters in Shadowhunters and she cares about doing the right thing more than being liked. She was scratched and turned into a werewolf by her boyfriend and had no one to help her through the transition.
She eventually became a part of Luke's pack and grew to see him as a father figure. Maia advocates for the Downworld, even when Luke's allegiances are questionable, and she fights back against Shadowhunters who think they're superior to them.
Jace Herondale
Jace Herondale, who was also known as Jace Lightwood and Jace Wayland, struggles to find his identity when everything he thought he knew turns out to be a lie. He's painted as the brooding type, but Jace is much more than he appears to be on the surface.
He's a highly skilled Shadowhunter and Alec and Isabelle's adopted brother. Jace is all about self-sacrifice, and even though he comes off as a jerk, he would gladly lay his life on the line for a stranger. His complexity makes him intriguing, and his recklessness makes him unpredictable.
Magnus Bane
A warlock who's been around for centuries is bound to have an interesting past, and Magnus's onscreen version was somehow even more loveable than his book character. Magnus is the High Warlock of Brooklyn, and easily one of the most selfless people in the series.
He'll drain himself dry if it means keeping others safe, and helps Downworlders and Shadowhunters alike. Additionally, Magnus's romance with Alec is a fan-favorite aspect of the books and the show.
Simon Lewis
He's easily the funniest character, but Simon is much more than the comic relief. Simon had nothing to do with the Shadow World, and his only connection was through Clary. However, Simon is turned into a vampire, starting him down a path that was entirely his own.
There are plenty of difficulties that come with being a supernatural creature, and Simon struggles to navigate himself through a world he had no idea existed. His journey is heartwarming, his bravery is admirable, and his light shines bright in a place that's devoid of it.
Isabelle Lightwood
Everything Isabelle did was done with flair, and her energy was contagious. Isabelle could easily take down a demon without messing up her nails in the process, and her outfits were always on point. Her confidence never turned into arrogance, and she's loyal to her friends and family.
Isabelle forms strong relationships with all the main characters, but her bond with her brother, Alec, is especially touching. She always wanted to find someone who would love her unconditionally, and her ending was well-deserved.
Alec Lightwood
Alec's journey about self-acceptance spoke to viewers all across the world. He always did what was expected of him rather than what made him happy, and he takes back control of his life and becomes an example for Shadowhunters everywhere. Alec calls off his arranged marriage to Lydia, knowing that it wasn't fair to either of them.
He kisses Magnus in front of members of the Clave, and his courage inspires other Shadowhunters to come out and be proud of who they are. Alec goes on to be extremely successful and advances from the head of the Institute to the Inquisitor, determined to make positive change.