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Warning : This list control spoilers for several TV shows .
Summary
Character development is crucial to some of thebest TV shows of all clock time . Long - running TV shows inherently have more time to expound upon the inside working of a characterin a way most movies do n’t . The writers do not have to rush the character to the next point in their arc but give them an appropriate amount of time to reflect before they move forward . Real personal growth does not bump immediately ; it is the result of month and years of small moments and dissimilar experiences piled on top of each other .
TV characters are commute by relationship set about and ending , by starting new professional and personal endeavors , and by calamity and triumphs . The best - written goggle box character bow convince the hearing that this change is naturaland is not contrived alone for the purpose of the narrative . Additionally , while not all type ' development is for the undecomposed , it can still be well - written and amazing to watch play out .
Though there have been infinite characters who have made their mark in telly chronicle , Ranker has spotlight those vote as the all - clock time best .
10April Kepner
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
Cast
A gamey - intensity medical drama which follows Meredith Grey and the team of MD at Grey Sloan Memorial , who are confront with life story - or - death decision on a daily basis . They seek comfort from one another , and , at times , more than just friendship . Together they find that neither medicine nor relationship can be specify in black and ashen .
When April get as part of theSeattle Grace Mercy West mergerinGrey ’s Anatomyseason 6 , she is a little too peppy for the established cast ’s tasting . Like most of the doctors at this item , she is desperately clinging to her job , and like most of the Mercy West doctors , she is frame as a scourge to the Seattle Grace doctors . Some masses just discover her character obnoxious . However , April and everyone else at the hospital are changed by the shootingat the end of season 6 .
By the next time of year , April is formally a part of the primary radical because of this experience . Meredith allowsApril and Jacksonto move into her sign — despite not really consume the space . April ’s quality is transformed again by another hurt when she and Jackson turn a loss their first child at birth . After serve in the army for a sentence , April becomes more assertive . It is heartbreaking how often April ’s character is shaped by disaster , but she is however a layered character;Sarah Drew ’s nuanced operation shows how every experience has contributed to who April is now .
9Ahsoka Tano
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
Star warfare : The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense struggle between the Republic and the Separatists . sport a mixture of loyalty shifts and alliances , it cut into into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases polar moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda .
By the prison term she is framed for bombing the Jedi Temple , Ahsoka has greatly matured from the girl who was first assigned to be Anakin ’s Padawan .
Even without considering her character first appearance in theStar Wars : The Clone Warsmovie , Ahsoka Tano undergoes a lot of development during her meter in theClone WarsTV serial . At the offset ofClone Wars , Ahsoka is still a unseasoned teen , eager to con from Anakin and Obi - Wan and prove herself in battle . She has a natural acquirement with the Force and a lightsaber and is the only one who can match Anakin ’s impulsivity . However , Anakin and Ahsokabring out the spoilt and the best in each other , and Ahsoka becomes a powerful and wise Force - wielder under his instruction .
By the clock time she is frame up for bomb the Jedi Temple , Ahsoka has greatly matured from the daughter who was first assigned to be Anakin ’s Padawan . This incident pull Ahsoka through her most complex development . Even after her name is cleared , she no longer feel dependable or respected in the Jedi Order and strike out on her own . forcefulness - users who are not Sith or Jedi are rare andAhsoka ’s conclusion demonstrates her ego - decision . However , the relationships she form before are still paramount to her , and she returns to aid Anakin and Rex in the final days of the Clone Wars .
8Caroline Forbes
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Based on the novel by L.J. Smith , The Vampire Diaries is a story about the germinate love trilateral between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brother , Stefan and Damon Salvatore . plant in the town of Mystic Falls , Virginia , the show succeed the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another ’s affection .
Ignorant throughoutThe Vampire Diariesseason 1 of the supernatural occurrences of her hometown , Caroline ’s place in the show is Elena ’s annoying admirer in comparison to Bonnie . In time of year 2,Caroline is turn into a vampireand is soon helping with every fight that come in the main characters ’ way . However , her character development does n’t terminate there . For illustration , when she is first grow into a vampire , Caroline is still something of a nuisance because the others must keep an oculus on her while she learns to manage her craving for rip .
Yet Caroline becomes the member of the main cast of characters cognise for self - control and comes to embody the best aspect of vampirism . She delight the perk that come with it without the tough parts rile her as much . She becomes more self-asserting within the main group and finally step up to be Alaric ’s Twin ’ foster female parent . However , Caroline ’s character ontogeny is complemented by her traits that last out the same : She is still relentlessly organized , and the show even circles back around to her initial crush on Stefan when they finally get together .
Custom Image by Abigail Stevens
7Walt White
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
break Bad , make by Vince Gilligan , pursue a chemistry teacher turned drug kingbolt named Walter White ( Bryan Cranston ) as he attempts to allow for for his family observe a fatal diagnosing . With nothing left to fear , White ascends to top executive in the world of drugs and criminal offence , transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg .
Walt White does n’t change for the good inBreaking Bad , but the writing border his descent into violence is so expertly written that it ca n’t be call unsound character exploitation . Walt White is driven into the drug trade for imposing reasons , want to make enough money to secure his family ’s time to come before he give-up the ghost . However , throughoutBreaking Bad’sfive seasons , the draw of the criminal lifestyle becomes more than security for Walt . He becomes more wild and manipulative as the serial run short on and begins to revel in every misbehaviour and serious coming upon .
break off Badis ultimately about Walt ’s journey to becoming the crime lord Heisenberg , which strains his human relationship with his menage , for whom he entered the drug craft to begin with . The series ’ complex writing and Bryan Cranston ’s stunning performance make Walt ’s journeying from an average and friendly high schooltime interpersonal chemistry teacher to a reprehensible mastermind improbably hearty , even if it is not all that promising . Theways Walt changes inBreaking Badand his dynamic with lineament such as Jesse are the backbone of the show .
A high-intensity medical drama which follows Meredith Grey and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.
In Season 1 of Breaking Bad Walter White may look meek compared to the humans he would become , but the hints of his malefic nature were always there .
6Steven Harrington
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Inspired by fourscore pop - civilisation and elements of Stephen King ’s works , Stranger Things is a supernatural natural action - play goggle box serial publication set up in the fictional town of Hawkins , Indiana . When a immature boy go missing , his mathematical group of friends stumble upon a young girlfriend with telekinetic exponent who recently escaped from a mysterious facility . They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending end of the world that jeopardise to engulf Hawkins whole .
InStranger Thingsseason 1 , Steve appear to be a classical bully - athlete character original , and destroying Jonathan ’s television camera supports this . However , Steve fleetly becomes much more endearing in time of year 2 . warmness violate for him when Nancy accidentally admits she does n’t love him ( when he clearly have it off her ) . After an impromptu team - up with Dustin , he and Steve essentially become best friends , leading into Steve ’s season 3 arc .
By then , Steve is just as adorkable as the rest of theStranger Thingscast . He still spends a caboodle of time with Dustin and becomes skinny friend with his co - worker Robin . In the former seasons , Stranger Thingscomes back around to theSteve - Nancy - Jonathan love trianglethat seemed like a foregone end in season 1 . However , Steve is now a totally different person than the stock character he was at the beginning of the seriesand a darling member of theStranger Thingsfriend radical .
5Carol Peletier
The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
Based on one of the most successful and popular risible Word of God of all time , AMC ’s The Walking Dead capture the on-going human drama abide by a zombie apocalypse . The series , developed for television by Frank Darabont , follow a group of survivors , led by police officer Rick Grimes ( Andrew Lincoln ) , who are move around in search of a dependable and secure home . However , or else of the zombies , it is the livelihood who remain that truly become the walk bushed . The Walking Dead endure for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows , such as awe the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead : World Beyond .
Carol ’s first appearance inThe Walking Deadis a blink - and - you’ll - fille - it moment , as she is mixed in with the other characters who form the Grimes folk ’s original group of survivor . The walk Deadseason 1 show her to be a fainthearted woman of the house abuse by her hubby , who does not typically fight walkers . However , the Death of her husband in season 1 and her daughter in season 2 variety Carol , and she lento becomes one of the most remorseless character reference in the show .
When the group appears again at the outset of time of year 3,Carol has clearly spend some time learning to use weapon system and cover some maladies . With more metre and practice , her character reaches a point where the audience would be surprised to see her without a weapon system . Carol also marries again and lose her adopted children . She carries these loss with her , always having a serious character . Yet Carol ’s evolution from one of the most easily frightened characters to one of the deadliest is endlessly fascinating to catch .
4Rachel Green
Friends (1994-2004)
Friends is the democratic situation comedy created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman , released back in 1994 and ran for ten time of year . The show follows a grouping of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spend between their two flat and their local coffee shop . The show feature the group navigate tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures .
When Rachel arrives in the city and moves in with Monica , she is clueless and still clinging to her old , well-heeled life-style , but is determined to make it on her own . For all her ailment about knead at Central Perk , and constantly mess up customers ’ orders , Rachel stupefy with the job to pay the bills until she can find something else . Once she cypher out that she want to go into fashion , Rachel never lets up . Despite Ross complaining about her ferment too much , her set everything into an ledger entry - level job shows how much she wants to follow .
As she spends more time as a working professional person , accumulating advancement and navigating mishaps , Rachel matures even more . She memorize to make good choices about what she wants in her personal life as well . She breaks up with Tag because she do it in her heart that they are not right for each other and has Emma despite people state her she could n’t be a single mom . Rachel has the most character maturation of the six main member of theFriendscast , having built her life from the primer coat up from the first of the series .
3Sansa Stark
Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
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 stand up threat from the undead looms in the North . The series received significant decisive success and amassed a loyal sports fan stand due to its high yield values , sprawling sets , iconic fibre , and scandalous turn .
Sansa run from being a bratty teenager to the Stark who is best at play the“game of pot . ”
When Sansa is first introduced as the eldest Stark girl , she is niminy-piminy and entitled . She excels at all the “ ladylike ” activity that her sister hat and dreams of marrying the heir to the throne . After the deaths of several family extremity , Sansa hat to think how much time she spend wishing for these thing and take her parents and sibling for granted . However , she appears to eventually make peace with who she was as a nestling inGame of Thrones’ending .
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Featuring a mix of loyalty shifts and alliances, it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases pivotal moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda.
After years of abuse and fright , Sansa reaches a point where she is inclined for death rather than defeat , but crossing this parentage only make her secure . It also becomes clear when she starts lead the North with Jon how much she has learned over the twelvemonth . Sansa spends time at the mercy of several ofGame of Thrones’worst character — Cersei , Joffrey , Ramsay — and learns from each one of them . Sansa exit from being a bratty adolescent to the Stark who is best at play the“game of thrones . ”
2Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman
Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
Better Call Saul follows small - time lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the sound earthly concern to make goal take on . The series , set six years before his skirmish with Walter White , chronicle Jimmy ’s evolution into Saul Goodman , with far-famed interactions alongside methadone Mike Ehrmantraut .
Parallel to Walt ’s arc inBreaking Bad , the plot line that follows Jimmy McGill a.k.a . Saul Goodman also shows its protagonist becoming less moral over meter . Jimmy changes in many way throughoutBetter Call Saul , but unlike Walt , he achieves some kind of redemption . Better Call Saulshows that Jimmy was once determined to leave behind a life of crime and make an good living , but this does not go as planned .
fight as a public withstander and lock up out of his buddy ’s law business firm , Jimmy finally turns back to illegal activity by becoming a deplorable defense attorney with more participation in the felonious underworld itself . This eventually go to him taking up the alias of Saul Goodman after Jimmy McGill is suspend from practicing practice of law . However , Jimmy / Saul change again when he confesses to his role in building Walt White ’s drug empire , concluding his nuanced character electric discharge .
Saul Goodman is one of the best written characters on TV , and thanks to his appearing in Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad , he has plenty of inverted comma .
1Zuko
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Avatar : The Last Airbender is an Animated Fantasy and Adventure serial publication that appeared on Nickelodeon and was create by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko . The series featured voice from Zach Tyler Eisen , Jack DeSena , Dante Basco , and Mae Whitman . The premiss follow a young son named Aang , an Air Bender who is set to be the next Avatar , master of all elements , in a moment to combine the nations together and lend peace .
Zuko ’s character arc is a masterpiece , one of the most praised storylines of any television show . Nickelodeon’sAvatar : The Last Airbenderdoes not rush his character maturation but lets Zuko make every mistake and slip away over every obvious way out untilhe can decide to join Aang ’s side by himself . His is a perfect lineament electric arc because it so skilfully demonstrates his run afoul emotion , namely his commitment to his father vs. to his uncle , and his eventually reach the conclusion that what the Fire Nation is doing is untimely .
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another’s affection.
Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.
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.
Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, released back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spent between their two apartments and their local coffee shop. The show features the group navigating tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures.
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.
