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Look, we’ve all been there. You start a new show, meet a character, and immediately think, ‘Wow, you are the worst.’ You’re ready to write a strongly worded tweet about how much you despise them. But then, magic happens. Character development kicks in, the writers stop being mean, and suddenly, you’re their biggest fan. It’s a total emotional rollercoaster, honestly. From arrogant jerks to misunderstood icons, here are 12 characters who pulled the ultimate glow-up.
1. Steve Harrington in Stranger Things
Remember Season 1 Steve? The guy with the questionable hair and the even more questionable attitude? We all wanted him gone after he treated Nancy like trash. But then, he grabbed that baseball bat with the nails and became the babysitter of our dreams. Now, if anything happens to Steve, I’m rioting. He went from ‘total jerk’ to ‘mom of the friend group’ in record time, and we are living for it. Truly the glow-up of the century.
2. Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones
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Okay, so he literally pushed a child out of a window in the first episode. Not exactly ‘hero material,’ right? But as we peeled back the layers of his trauma and his complicated relationship with Brienne, we couldn’t help but root for the guy. Watching his internal struggle was peak drama. Even if the finale was… a choice… we still loved the journey he took from villain to tragic hero. It was a wild ride.
3. Schmidt in New Girl
Schmidt started as the hyper-organized, slightly creepy roommate who obsessed over his own cleanliness and suits. I wanted to throw a shoe at him for the first few episodes. But then we saw his heart. The way he loved Cece was actually kind of iconic. By the time he was doing his ‘Jar’ dance, I was fully on board. He’s the chaotic energy we didn’t know we needed. Honestly, he’s the best part of the whole show.
4. April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation
At the start, April was just the sarcastic intern who seemed like she’d rather be literally anywhere else. It was a vibe, but maybe a bit much? Then she started showing glimpses of actual human emotion, especially with Andy, and suddenly she was the coolest person in Pawnee. Her deadpan humor became our personality trait. We couldn’t stop quoting her. She’s the queen of ‘I don’t care’ and we’re here for it.
5. Michael Scott in The Office
Real talk: the first season of The Office is hard to watch because Michael is just so cringey. You want to hide behind a pillow every time he speaks. But as the writers softened him up and gave him moments of genuine sweetness, he became the heartbeat of the show. By the time he left in Season 7, we were all crying into our keyboards. Who knew the ‘World’s Best Boss’ mug would actually mean something?
6. Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cordelia was the ultimate mean girl in the early seasons of Buffy. You just wanted her to trip over her own heels. But watching her evolve into a complex, caring character in Angel was the best slow burn ever. She grew up, got a backbone, and became the heart of the team. It’s honestly iconic how she flipped the script. We love a character who learns to be a better person, no cap.
7. Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender
I mean, he spent an entire season hunting our favorite group of kids. He was the literal enemy! But his redemption arc is arguably the best in television history. Watching him struggle with his destiny and eventually choose the right path? Chills. Every. Single. Time. He’s the gold standard for ‘hated to loved’ characters. If you don’t love Zuko by the end, check your pulse because you might be missing a heart, yaar.
8. Alexis Rose in Schitt’s Creek
In the pilot, Alexis was just a spoiled socialite who couldn’t remember her own boyfriend’s name. She was easy to dislike. But watching her find her independence, start her own business, and become a genuinely supportive friend/sister was everything. Her growth is so satisfying to watch. By the time she was singing ‘A Little Bit Alexis,’ we were all stan accounts. She is a total mood, and we’re obsessed.
9. Sawyer in Lost
Sawyer was the guy who called everyone names and hoarded the supplies. He was the worst. But as we learned more about his backstory—and watched him fall for Juliet—he became the guy we couldn’t wait to see on screen. He had that ‘bad boy with a heart of gold’ thing down to a science. Honestly, he carried half the show on his shoulders. We love a complicated king.
10. Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation
Before he was Mouse Rat’s lead singer, Andy was just the lazy guy living in the pit. It was frustrating! But his transition into the lovable, golden retriever of the office was just perfection. He was so pure and well-meaning that you couldn’t stay mad at him. He literally just wanted everyone to be happy. We all need an Andy in our lives, honestly. Total sweetheart energy.
11. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce in Buffy/Angel
Wesley started as a bumbling, annoying watcher who was basically a punchline. I was so ready to skip his scenes. But then he moved to Los Angeles and turned into this dark, brooding, expert demon hunter. The glow-up was insane. He went from ‘annoying side character’ to ‘the most interesting person in the room.’ It’s the kind of character development that makes you realize why you watch TV in the first place.
12. Petra Solano in Jane the Virgin
Petra was the villain we loved to hate for the first few episodes. She was scheming, lying, and just generally making Jane’s life miserable. But as the show went on, she became the most relatable, hilarious, and complex character on the show. Her friendship with Jane? Iconic. Her one-liners? Everything. We literally went from ‘go away’ to ‘you are my favorite person.’ No cap, she’s the best.
FAQs
Why do writers make characters unlikeable at the start?
It’s all about the arc, baby! If a character starts perfect, they have nowhere to go. Making them unlikeable gives them room to grow, learn from mistakes, and win the audience over by the finale.
Which character redemption is the most popular?
Honestly, Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender is basically the king of redemption arcs. Pretty much everyone agrees his journey from villain to hero was written to absolute perfection. It’s the gold standard.
Does this happen in movies too?
Oh, absolutely. Think about Han Solo or even Loki in the Marvel movies. It’s a classic trope because we love seeing someone prove they can be better than their worst instincts.
Was your favorite redemption arc on this list, or did I miss someone huge? It’s wild how much a few seasons of character development can change your entire opinion. Hit the comments and tell me who you hated at first but ended up obsessed with. I need to know your takes! Don’t forget to share this with your group chat.
