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Real talk: we’ve all been there. You’re watching a show, some character shows up, and you’re ready to throw your remote at the TV. They’re annoying, they’re mean, or they’re just plain wrong. But then? The writers pull a fast one. Suddenly, you’re crying for them. You’re rooting for them. You’re literally obsessed. It’s a total emotional rollercoaster, and honestly, we’re living for it. Here are 12 characters who made us eat our words.
1. Steve Harrington from Stranger Things
Okay, let’s be real. Season 1 Steve? A total jerk. He was the quintessential high school bully with the hair that defied gravity. We wanted him to get knocked down a peg, and hard. But then the babysitting era happened, and he became the unofficial mom of the group. Now, if anything happens to Steve, we riot. His growth from entitled teen to heroic heartthrob is honestly iconic. No cap, he’s the best part of the show.
2. Jaime Lannister from Game of Thrones
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I mean, he literally shoved a child out of a tower in the first episode. We were supposed to hate him, and we did! But as the seasons dragged on, we saw the layers. The ‘Kingslayer’ complex, the trauma, the weirdly complicated dynamic with Brienne—it was a lot. By the time he started his redemption tour, I was lowkey obsessed. He’s the ultimate example of how a messy backstory can make you root for the bad guy.
3. April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation
At the start, April was just the moody, disinterested intern who seemed to hate everything. She was the personification of ‘I’d rather be anywhere else.’ But watching her evolve into a supportive wife and a surprisingly ambitious professional? It was pure gold. Her deadpan humor stayed, but her heart grew three sizes. We love a queen who stays true to her dark aesthetic while actually caring about her friends. Total mood, honestly.
4. Schmidt from New Girl
When New Girl first hit our screens in 2011, Schmidt was the guy you’d avoid at a party. The germaphobe, the vanity, the constant need for validation? It was a lot to handle. But then the writers leaned into his neuroses, and he became the most lovable hot mess on television. His friendship with Nick is the stuff of legends. You can’t help but laugh at his ridiculous outfits and his absolute obsession with his own life.
5. Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Zuko spent so much time chasing Aang that we were basically programmed to hate him. He was the angry prince with the ponytail of doom. But the moment his ‘Zuko Alone’ arc hit, everything changed. We realized he was just a kid trying to please a toxic parent. His journey is perhaps the greatest redemption arc in animation history. I still get chills thinking about the scene where he joins the Gaang. It’s just peak writing, guys.
6. Cordelia Chase from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cordy started as the ultimate high school mean girl. She was shallow, rude, and honestly, kind of a nightmare. But then she moved to LA for Angel, and she grew up. She became the backbone of the team. Watching her go from vapid cheerleader to a powerful, empathetic woman was everything. She proved that you can outgrow your high school persona and become someone truly remarkable. We stan a queen who evolves.
7. Dan Humphrey from Gossip Girl
Hear me out—I know he’s ‘Gossip Girl,’ which is a massive betrayal, but early-seasons Dan was the relatable outsider we all needed. He was the brooding writer guy with the heart of gold. Even though the finale twist was controversial, we can’t deny that his ‘lonely boy’ phase was peak comfort television. He was just a kid from Brooklyn trying to survive the Upper East Side. We were all rooting for him to get the girl.
8. Alex Karev from Grey’s Anatomy
Early Alex was the absolute worst. He was arrogant, sexist, and just plain mean to everyone in his path. I spent multiple seasons waiting for him to get fired. But then he had that slow-burn transformation into the most loyal mentor and friend. His bond with Meredith Grey? Iconic. His departure was a whole controversy, but you can’t deny that his character growth over 16 seasons was a total masterpiece of TV development.
9. Michael Scott from The Office
Season 1 Michael was a carbon copy of the UK version—just plain cringey and unlikeable. The show almost got canceled because people couldn’t stand him. But then, the writers softened the edges. They made him pathetic, yes, but also deeply lonely and desperate to be loved. By the time he left in Season 7, we were all blubbering wrecks. He’s the ultimate ‘I hate you, but I also want to give you a hug’ character.
10. Nancy Wheeler from Stranger Things
Nancy started as the typical ‘good girl’ caught in a love triangle. It felt a bit cliché, right? But then she grabbed a shotgun, started investigating conspiracies, and became the toughest person in Hawkins. She stopped waiting for the boys to save her and started saving them instead. Her transition into a badass journalist is one of the most satisfying things to watch. She’s not just a girlfriend anymore; she’s a force of nature.
11. Sawyer from Lost
Sawyer was the island jerk. He stole supplies, he had a mean nickname for everyone, and he was just generally insufferable. But then we got those flashbacks. We saw the trauma, the loss, and the secret soft spot he had for everyone else. By the time he started reading his book collection on the beach, we were all in love. He’s the ultimate bad boy with a heart of gold trope done perfectly.
12. Prince Charming from Once Upon a Time
Okay, hear me out. At first, he felt like a total cardboard cutout of a fairytale prince. Just a guy on a horse, right? But as the show progressed, we saw his struggles as a father, a husband, and a leader. He was messy, he made mistakes, and he was actually a really grounded guy in a world of magic. He became the emotional anchor of the whole series. Who knew a prince could be so relatable?
FAQs
Why do TV shows change characters so much?
Writers want to keep you hooked! If a character stays the same, it gets boring. By giving them a redemption arc, they keep the audience emotionally invested and make the story feel more human and complex.
Are these characters actually redeemed?
Some are! Others are just ‘redeemed’ in our hearts because we get to know them better. Whether they’re truly ‘good’ is up for debate, but their growth definitely makes for better television.
Which character had the best redemption arc?
It’s subjective, but Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender is widely considered the gold standard. His journey was earned, painful, and completely changed the course of the entire series in the best way possible.
So, there you have it! The characters who went from our ‘block’ list to our ‘bestie’ list. It’s wild how a few seasons and some solid writing can change your entire opinion on someone. Did I miss your favorite redemption arc? Sound off in the comments—I’m dying to know who you used to hate but now can’t live without!
