Warning! This article contains mentions of abuse and assault!It takes a lot for a villain or antagonistic character in a TV show to truly earn a redemption arc. When thinking of the best redemption arcs in TV history, Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender or, more recently, Michael in The Good Place might come to mind. Both of these characters begin their series with flawed worldviews and an essential misunderstanding of their universe's moralities. However, the audience comes to understand and eventually root for them because they take time to learn from their mistakes, help others, and have a backstory that makes their initial behavior understandable.
However, the line gets blurry when the audience is asked to sympathize with a character who, up until that point, was deemed unforgivable. There are some TV deaths the killers shouldn't have been forgiven for, but their series ended up giving them a road to absolution regardless. Even in the fictional world of a TV show, there are certain lines characters can't cross without losing audience forever. Additionally, if a redemption arc is poorly planned or heavy-handed, and it doesn't feel like the character earned it, this can disrupt a series indefinitely.
10 Nate Shelley - Ted Lasso (2020–Present)
Played by Nick Mohammed
Nate is a character who does a lot of growing up throughout Ted Lasso. Like Ted, his more cheerful exterior is a front for deeper negative emotions, and he doesn't always handle those well. Nate betrayed Ted and the team by leaving to work for West Ham. This set Nate up for a villain arc that Ted Lasso needed. However, the series never pushed Nate far enough to make him a true antagonist. The fact that the audience never sees Nate quit West Ham and only hears about it demonstrates that his redemption was rushed.
One of the core tenets of Ted Lasso is forgiveness and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, so it's unsurprising that Nate got this.
Rumors about season 4 have been floating around as Mohammed seemingly teased the show's return. Though the series had initially ended with season 3, an additional installment could be a good thing, especially for Nate. One of the core tenets of Ted Lasso is forgiveness and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, so it's unsurprising that Nate got this. However, seeing him continue working hard to earn back the trust of others could fit into season 4.
Ted Lasso
- Release Date
- August 14, 2020
- Showrunner
- Bill Lawrence
- Writers
- Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence
Cast
Ted Lasso
Rebecca Welton
WHERE TO WATCH
Ted Lasso is an American football coach who moves to England, hired to manage a struggling soccer team, despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, Ted will have to convince them that he's fit for the job.
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- AppleTV+
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Ted Lasso (2020–Present) |
90% |
85% |
9 Serena Joy Waterford - The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2025)
Played by Yvonne Strahovski
Yvonne Strahovski was best known for her role in the comedy-spy series Chuck before she transformed into the villainous Serena Joy in The Handmaid's Tale. In the early seasons of The Handmaid's Tale, Serena Joy is representative of the type of women who oppress and ignore the suffering of others in order to gain power. Though The Handmaid's Tale has been taking steps to try and redeem her, there's no going back from what she put June through.
Seeing Serena as a mother and witnessing her grieve her husband's death were attempts by the show to make the viewer empathize with her and see that she was also a victim of the system. However, seeing her suffer a little and face the consequences of her actions isn't enough to justify a redemption arc or earn June as a friend. It would make more narrative sense for June to get justice for herself and women like her by ensuring Serena can't hurt anyone else.
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The Handmaid's Tale
- Release Date
- 2017 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Hulu
- Showrunner
- Bruce Miller
Cast
Elisabeth MossJune Osborne / Offred / Ofjoseph
Serena Joy Waterford
WHERE TO WATCH
The Handmaid's Tale is a television adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel, released in 2017. It is set in a dystopian future where a woman is compelled to live as a concubine under a strict fundamentalist theocracy.
- Writers
- Kira Snyder, Eric Tuchman, Yahlin Chang, John Herrera, Jacey Heldrich, Dorothy Fortenberry, Marissa Jo Cerar, Lynn Renee Maxcy
- Seasons
- 6
- Story By
- Margaret Atwood
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2025) |
83% |
57% |
8 Jamie Lannister - Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)
Played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Jaime was set up to have a well-planned and flawlessly executed redemption arc in Game of Thrones before much of his development was thrown out the window in the series' final moments. When Game of Thrones premiered, Jaime was throwing children from towers, participating in incest, and is well-known as the assassin who killed the last king. All of this would suggest that he can't come back from this. However, his journeys with Brienne and what he learns from losing his hand could've given him a fresh start.
Though it wasn't unusual for Game of Thrones to make its characters betray others and go back on their word, it felt like Jaime had moved past this part of his life until he suddenly hadn't.
Instead, Jaime returns to King's Landing and aligns himself with Cersei as if no time has ed. He acts as if he hasn't slowly made himself into a better man. season 8 is one of the most controversial installments of the series, and Jaime's ending has a lot to do with this. Though it wasn't unusual for Game of Thrones to make its characters betray others and go back on their word, it felt like Jaime had moved past this part of his life until he suddenly hadn't.
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Game Of Thrones
- Release Date
- 2011 - 2019-00-00
- Showrunner
- David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
- Directors
- David Nutter, Alan Taylor, D.B. Weiss, David Benioff
Cast
Jon Snow
Isaac Hempstead WrightBrandon Bran Stark
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on George R. R. Martin's ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
- Writers
- D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, David Benioff
- Franchise(s)
- Game of Thrones
- Creator(s)
- David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
- Seasons
- 8
- Story By
- George R.R. Martin
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Game of Thrones (2011–2019) |
7 Negan - The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Glenn's death in The Walking Dead is one of the most devastating moments in the entire show, and it's Negan who brutally murders him in front of Maggie. Though The Walking Dead: Dead City has delved into the dynamic between Negan and Maggie, there will always be a source of tension between them because of the villainy in Negan's past. However, Glenn's murder is far from the only reprehensible thing that Negan has done. For a long time, he was The Walking Dead's prime example of a man gone bad.
Move Over Negan, Another The Walking Dead Villain Just Had The Franchise's Best Redemption Story
Negan's The Walking Dead redemption story has been a thing of beauty, but another character might have stolen his thunder after Daryl Dixon season 2.
Negan's character arc is a source of debate among fans and critics of The Walking Dead, as the series does take its time developing him as a morally complex hero. However, it's impossible to forget what he's done. As the leader of his group, Negan committed many acts of sexual violence and used his power to manipulate and hurt others whenever he got the chance. The Walking Dead didn't need to redeem Negan to make his character interesting, and forgiving him was, at times, unrealistic.
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The Walking Dead
- Release Date
- 2010 - 2022
- Network
- AMC
- Showrunner
- Frank Darabont, Angela Kang, Scott M. Gimple, Glen Mazzara
Cast
Andrew Lincoln
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
- Directors
- Greg Nicotero
- Franchise(s)
- The Walking Dead
- Seasons
- 11
- Story By
- Tony Moore, Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix, AMC+
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
The Walking Dead (2010–2022) |
79% |
78% |
6 Fiona Gallagher - Shameless (2011–2021)
Played by Emmy Rossum
At the beginning of Shameless, it's easy to sympathize with Fiona, as she's had to raise all of her siblings herself and was essentially abandoned by her parents as a child. Every Gallagher has their struggles on Shameless, and many of her younger siblings emotionally manipulate Fiona and pressure her to give up the things that matter to her. This makes it easy to overlook some of Fiona's biggest flaws, even though it's often her actions that lead to her downfall.
Shameless wrapped up Fiona's arc too quickly, as she could've had a fantastic redemption, but Rossum was ready to leave the series before this could happen.
Though many of Fiona's mistakes are understandable considering her circumstances, she does put her sibling's lives at risk a few times, like when Liam is exposed to drugs. While she gave up much of her life for their sake, this doesn't excuse the fact that Fiona went down a similar path to Frank a little while before she left the show for good. From there, Shameless wrapped up Fiona's arc too quickly, as she could've had a fantastic redemption, but Rossum was ready to leave the series before this could happen.
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Shameless
- Release Date
- 2011 - 2021-00-00
- Network
- Channel 4
- Showrunner
- John Wells
Cast
William H. MacyFrank Gallagher
Lip Gallagher
WHERE TO WATCH
Shameless is a Black Comedy, Family Drama created by Paul Abbott and starring William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, and Justin Chatwin. The premise follows the Gallagher family and their closest friends as they deal with a not-so-helpful father, Frank Gallagher. His children each find their own path, growing into their own flawed people without much guidance or help from the family patriarch.
- Directors
- John Wells
- Writers
- Paul Abbott
- Seasons
- 11
- Story By
- paul abbott
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Shameless (2011–2021) |
82% |
82% |
5 Rumpelstiltskin - Once Upon A Time (2011–2018)
Played by Robert Carlyle
Though Once Upon A Time does feature a genuinely unforgettable redemption arc, the one involving Rumple never hit home. Regina's time as The Evil Queen on Once Upon A Time would make audiences think she had succumbed to the dark side forever, but Once Upon A Time gave her a slow and tough journey that allowed her to earn her chance at redemption and realize she genuinely wanted to change. Conversely, Rumple gets many second chances, especially with Belle, but he frequently makes the wrong decision.
While it's true that he's making these choices out of fear, that doesn't excuse the fact that Rumple believes power is the only thing that will keep him safe. It seems that Once Upon A Time falls back on making him the villain too frequently, making him revert to his old ways as soon as he makes headway in his quest to change. Additionally, his relationship with Belle is built on verbal abuse and a horrible power dynamic, which isn't easy to forgive.
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Once Upon A Time
- Release Date
- 2011 - 2018-00-00
- Network
- ABC
- Showrunner
- Adam Horowitz
Cast
Ginnifer Goodwin
josh dallas
WHERE TO WATCH
Once Upon a Time is an adventure fantasy-drama series created for ABC that features fairy tale characters and their Disney incarnations in a modern setting. When Emma Swan and her son Henry accidentally drive into the town of Storybrooke, they soon discover the inhabitants are those from fairy tales, and they have no knowledge of the modern world inhabited by Emma and Henry. Robbed of their pasts and given new identities by the Evil Queen known as Regina, the hope of the town's residents lie solely in the hands of Emma, who has stronger connections to the town than she knows.
- Directors
- Christopher Gorham
- Writers
- Adam Horowitz
- Seasons
- 7
- Story By
- adam horowitz
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Once Upon A Time (2011–2018) |
78% |
78% |
4 Chuck - Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
Played by Ed Westwick
Known for its scandalous and often unbelievable storylines, Gossip Girl is one of the definitive teen dramas of the late 2000s and early 2010s. While messy romantic entanglements and backstabbing were part of the fun of watching Gossip Girl, Chuck took things too far a few too many times on the show. Though audiences are convinced to root for him and Blair throughout the series, Gossip Girl opens with Chuck attempting to assault someone, making the viewer turn against him from the start.
As Gossip Girl progressed, the series tried to frame Chuck's early issues as part of his troubled past and something that he's genuinely tried to make up for.
As Gossip Girl progressed, the series tried to frame Chuck's early issues as part of his troubled past and something that he's genuinely tried to make up for. However, there are few examples of him even showing remorse for what he's done unless he's facing negative consequences. Even when he's supposed to be growing as a person, Chuck attempts to trade Blair for a hotel and repeatedly crosses moral lines without batting an eye. While there were many characters who made bad choices on Gossip Girl, it's unbelievable that Chuck would be forgiven.
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Gossip Girl
- Release Date
- 2007 - 2012-00-00
- Network
- The CW
- Showrunner
- Joshua Safran
Cast
Serena van der Woodsen
Leighton MeesterBlair Waldorf
WHERE TO WATCH
Set among Manhattan's elite, this drama series follows wealthy teenagers whose scandalous lives are exposed by an anonymous blogger. The show delves into themes of betrayal, ambition, and the complexities of high-society friendships, as the characters navigate interpersonal conflicts and personal aspirations.
- Writers
- Joshua Safran
- Creator(s)
- Stephanie Savage, Josh Schwartz
- Producers
- Stephanie Savage
- Seasons
- 6
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Gossip Girl (2007–2012) |
84% |
80% |
3 Sylar - Heroes (2006–2010)
Played by Zachary Quinto
Heroes had a tough break when it was airing in the early 2000s, as the show started strong with rave reviews but slowly lost focus and was heavily impacted by the '07-'08 WAG strike. However, this didn't stop the writers and showrunners from attempting to make the show as engaging as possible and delving into the psyches of its characters. Unfortunately, when it came to Sylar, one of the most terrifying villains of the show, Heroes went about the evolution of his character all wrong.
After spending season 1 terrorizing others and becoming a serial killer to amass power, Heroes tried to bring Sylar back from the edge and make him more morally grey. Sylar should've stayed a villain on Heroes because that's what made him an interesting character. There were already plenty of people on Heroes who were struggling with complex moralities. Making Sylar like everyone else is part of why Heroes lost its appeal.
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Heroes sees a number of people drawn to each other after a solar eclipse awakens incredible abilities in them. With their destinies seemingly intertwined, these evolved humans use their superpowers to influence the past, present, and future - for better and for worse. When a superpowered killer emerges who is stealing abilities from his victims, they must band together to stop him.
- Writers
- Tim Kring
- Seasons
- 4
- Streaming Service(s)
- Peacock
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Heroes (2006–2010) |
52% |
65% |
2 Ben Linus - Lost (2004–2010)
Played by Michael Emerson
Though Ben isn't in the first batch of characters introduced on Lost, since he's part of the mysterious Others, he's instantly memorable and ends up changing the course of the series many times over. As a villain, Ben is one of the most compelling characters on Lost, and allowing him to be an antagonist without trying to convince the audience to like him would've helped the show's later seasons. While Ben does show genuine signs of remorse and accepts his fate at the end of Lost, it was tiresome seeing the series work so hard to redeem him.
Lost's Weirdest Redemption Arc Still Doesn't Make Sense 14 Years Later
Ben Linus didn't deserve to be redeemed in Lost because he had committed countless evil acts throughout his time of the show that caused pain and hurt
It could be argued that Ben was put in many impossible situations by people with power over him, forcing him to make terrible choices. However, throughout the show, it's clear that Ben takes genuine pleasure in manipulating other people and feels nothing about committing murder in cold blood. There might have been a path forward for Ben's redemption if Lost had introduced it earlier in the series instead of including it towards the end when there were already too many storylines to juggle.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Lost (2004–2010) |
86% |
89% |
1 Ezra - Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)
Played by Ian Harding
Aria and Ezra are a TV couple that never should've happened, and the fact that the series made them endgame after everything Ezra did is unbelievable. From the beginning, Ezra's pursuit of Aria is incredibly inappropriate, not to mention illegal, as she's a minor and he's her high school teacher. Despite this, they maintain their relationship in secret for many seasons until it's revealed in season 4 that Ezra had a relationship with Alison and has been essentially stalking the girls since then.
Though Aria is shocked and appalled after discovering the truth, she eventually forgives Ezra and gets back together with him, encouraging the people in her life to do the same. The pair end up getting married in the series finale, and though by this point they're both adults and the truth has come out, it's impossible to root for Ezra in any way at this point. Seeing Aria end up with someone who hadn't lied and manipulated her for years would've been a much more satisfying ending.
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Pretty Little Liars
- Release Date
- 2010 - 2017-00-00
- Network
- ABC, Freeform
- Showrunner
- Ina Marlene King
Cast
-
Troian Bellisario
Ashley Benson
WHERE TO WATCH
Pretty Little Liars is a Teen Drama and Mystery series based on the novel by Sara Shepard. The show was created by Marlene King and stars Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, and Holly Marie Combs. The series revolves around four friends who meet back up with one another and begin to receive strange threats from an unknown source simply labeled "A."
- Writers
- Ina Marlene King
- Franchise(s)
- Pretty Little Liars
- Seasons
- 7
- Story By
- Sara Shepard
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017) |
81% |
81% |
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