Whether long-running or a mini-series, TV shows have given viewers a plethora of characters, plotlines, and unexpected twists over the years. Each season that passes allows time for the creators to develop characters who grow. The usual tropes are written into these series, such as the hero becoming a villain or vice versa, love triangles, and the ambiguous relationship between hero and villain, which allows viewers to become invested.
While plotlines may make the audience interested, a good character arc makes or breaks each show. As characters grow and develop throughout the show, their personality deepens and that builds the narrative. Showrunners have explored complex solutions to classic redemption arcs.
Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)
The Breaking Bad spin-off El Camino finally resolves what happened to one of the leads, Jesse Pinkman. From the initial episodes of Breaking Bad, Jesse was a sympathic character. With sensitivity and vulnerability hidden under layers of cold, dismissive, and gangster-like vibes, Jesse uses "street smart" skills to get through. Jesse often wants to earn validation and affection, unlike his other half, Walter White.
Eventually, the show created characters who would break ordinary story arcs. And as Jesse has traversed El Camino, Jesse's memories hold him captive to his past, setting up a perfect epilogue to the series, where Jesse's crimes eventually catch up with him. Jesse's redemption arc included not dusting off his crimes but looking at his past trauma and seeing his vulnerability.
Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries)
The Vampire Diaries character Damon was one of the most popular and manipulative antagonists introduced in a series. Presented as a snarky, calculating, and rude anti-hero in season 1, Damon grew through each The Vampire Diaries season. From being an awful brother to becoming a better person, Damon has experienced it all.
While he initially comes to Mystic Falls with hidden intentions, he stays for a completely different reason. During the quintessential storyline of the bad guy and leading lady falling for each either, Damon eventually falls in love with Elena and becomes a better brother and a friend.
Alexis Rose (Schitt's Creek)
Growing from a rich, spoiled, and snooty brat to an independent and thriving woman is a perfect redemption arc for any character. Described as a fashionable and conceited brat on Schitt's Creek, Alexis is shoved into a life that she couldn't possibly imagine living in due to the Rose family's unprecedented circumstances.
Over the series' progression, Alexis finds herself trying to adjust to her new lifestyle and evolves into a more "humane" character. She changes her outlook on life by completing her degree, landing her first job, and even mending her relationship with her family. Alexis' substantial redemption arc focuses not on bad to good but more on unaware to maturity.
Michael (The Good Place)
The Good Place's selling point was the reliability of the characters. The initial portrayal of Michael was of an angelic being in the afterlife, from helping Eleanor and the rest to eventually filing the climactic reveal of him being evil. His journey then became malicious and spiteful, which was contradictory to his initial introduction.
Only in the later stages of the series does Michael grow into an empathetic and understanding soul, which causes him to reconsider his knowledge of humanity, leading him to question his morality. Michael's character arc is complex and profound, making him one of the few characters who redeems himself from his sinful arc.
Theon Greyjoy (Game Of Thrones)
A character who dwells in his hideous and sinful past, Theon Greyjoy from Game Of Thrones is just one of the few characters who redeemed themselves in the series. At the beginning, fans disliked his character as he did possibly any foul deed fans could think of. Theon betrayed Winterfell and executed former allies. The character does not have a great start; however, it is only in act II that sights his ultimate redemption.
A dramatic change in his perspectives and priorities is seen in the later seasons as he tries to amend his past mistakes. It is difficult to imagine that a rude and aloof character would change his personality. After a tormenting period from Ramsay, Theon realizes his wrongdoings. Unlike other characters, Theon walks the path of redemption until the end of the series, repenting of his past.
Villanelle (Killing Eve)
Villanelle is an assassin for a criminal organization eventually tracked by Eve on Killing Eve. Villanelle's personality in the early seasons showed her confidence as she loved being an assassin and used this power to commit heinous crimes. But with the progression of the narrative, she seemed less involved in being a criminal and wanted to leave The Twelves. Her sinful acts even involved her murdering her family, leaving her broken.
Villanelle's physical attraction toward Eve makes her story complicated. To gain Eve's domesticity, she tries to be a "good" person. And not knowing how to change herself, things go awry. Villanelle's character struggles between good and bad and creates a complex storyline while dangling the hopes of fitting redemption.
The Hound (Game Of Thrones)
Game of Thrones has definitely given fans a lot of characters to hate and love. While few had a redemption storyline, it is only fitting to think of The Hound's arc. From being a personal bodyguard to the Lannister to their "errand" boy, he frankly gave away eerie vibes.
His initial traits focused on him being bashful and blunt and his interactions with Sansa were peculiar. Yet there is a deep-rooted growth in his plot as he becomes more like a father figure to Arya in the latter seasons. The end of the season surprises fans with his growth, as he speaks with admiration for Sansa's growth. His storyline eventually closes with him freeing Arya from the revenge plot and taking his stand against his brother.
Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
Spike has one of the best redemption arcs on TV. Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer has well-written character development. Introduced as the hated villain who wanted to see Sunnydale perish, Spike eventually sacrifices himself.
At first, Spike's storyline seems ubiquitous, but a vampire falling in love with a human who changes his personality is not something that people see everyday. Spike's devotion to Buffy changed his perspective of humans which made a drastic difference in his allegiance. Ironically, in the beginning, he wants Sunnydale to "burn," but he redeems himself by burning and sacrificing himself. This is an example of a classic bad to good character arc.
Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)
Stranger Things viewers know that Steve's story is not a classic "feel bad for the poor guy" story. Steve was a brash jerk and a cliched high school kid, who tried to fit into the "cool kids" group. He portrayed a typical teenager who worked through his insecurities by creating misunderstandings with Nancy. His journey from a selfish boyfriend to a protective figure of the kids was an unexpected arc.
Over the seasons' progression, Steve makes amends to his past self by accepting Nancy and Jonathan's relationship, protecting Dustin, and even having a very platonic relationship with Robin devoid of toxicity. This is a brilliantly written redemption arc. Fans wonder what Steve will do next in season four.
Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
The Fire Nation prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender started off as a spoiled, vengeful brat who craved honor. Zuko's main goal was to hunt and kill the Avatar to please his father and regain his status in the earlier part of the series, but underneath this shallow self, he was a broken, hurt kid who yearned for attention.
Over time, Zuko heals and learns to accept and value himself and fights for justice. He teams up with Aang to take down his father and, in doing so, redeems himself. Viewers liked his growth from foe to becoming best friends with Aang. The perfect redemption was that he eventually saw his own potential.