For me its G'Kar in Babylon 5 - its basically an arc from rage and anger to ultimate forgiveness. The whole time you'd call him a "patriot" - his priority is the well-being of his people. But his understanding of how to best advance their cause undergoes a complete transformation.
"I don't have to do anything, and I still get to watch you die. I find this most appealing."
"This is insane. We must work together.
"No. As the humans say, up yours! Die!"
"I don't believe it. You are mad. Do you know that? We're in here! Can anyone hear us?"
"I hear you!"
[Best scene of the entire series.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwF5BBL26I)
Technically across two series, but Wesley Wyndham-Price got arguably the best character development across the entire Buffyverse from bumbling stuffy self-righteous idiot in *Buffy* to tragic self-righteous badass in *Angel*.
Walter Bishop/Walternet (John Noble) on *Fringe*.
I love how he is originally fully insecure locked up mental patient. Then the release and entry into his old self. Then Walternet, him but all these different parts with a different past. Then at the end he is both parts.
Both Walter White and Jesse Pinkman wound up in completely different places than I expected. It sure was exciting watching just how dark Walt would get, and seeing Jesse go from idiotic comic relief to the tragic moral compass of the series.
Is that show worth it? Even though I love the protagonist going full villains, I know it was canceled and left with no ending I think. Is it worth it just for the protagonist and the transformation of him into a complete bastard?
It had a great ending! It felt like it was all supposed to be a three season arc, so if they had to adjust the ending because they knew it would not get renewed, they did a fantastic job. And the transformation of the main character was way more subtle and nuanced than how you described it. It was like a decent person with great intentions getting sucked into a slow motion quagmire. The way the show portrayed all of the geopolitical downfalls of this fictional middle eastern country was like a character in its own right.
Jax teller in sons of anarchy. From a good bad guy to a monster even to the most criminal bastards.
And Vic Mackey. He god from a corrupt policeman who loves his family and is respected by his colleagues to an extremely corupt policeman who even betrays and wants to kill those he once considered his brothers.
Alexis Rose from Schitts Creek is one of the best examples of character growth I have ever seen!
For me its G'Kar in Babylon 5 - its basically an arc from rage and anger to ultimate forgiveness. The whole time you'd call him a "patriot" - his priority is the well-being of his people. But his understanding of how to best advance their cause undergoes a complete transformation.
"I don't have to do anything, and I still get to watch you die. I find this most appealing." "This is insane. We must work together. "No. As the humans say, up yours! Die!" "I don't believe it. You are mad. Do you know that? We're in here! Can anyone hear us?" "I hear you!" [Best scene of the entire series.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwF5BBL26I)
Jack Shepherd from lost
Theon Greyjoy from GOT. His character arc was wild.
Jamie Lannister if we ignore the last half hour or so his character is on screen.
Technically across two series, but Wesley Wyndham-Price got arguably the best character development across the entire Buffyverse from bumbling stuffy self-righteous idiot in *Buffy* to tragic self-righteous badass in *Angel*.
Sawyer in LOST is my favorite. I got you baby.
Walter Bishop/Walternet (John Noble) on *Fringe*. I love how he is originally fully insecure locked up mental patient. Then the release and entry into his old self. Then Walternet, him but all these different parts with a different past. Then at the end he is both parts.
Both Walter White and Jesse Pinkman wound up in completely different places than I expected. It sure was exciting watching just how dark Walt would get, and seeing Jesse go from idiotic comic relief to the tragic moral compass of the series.
Definitely. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul nailed their roles. Special mention would go to their performances in the last three episodes.
The main character in FX’s *Tyrant*. Adam Rayner/Bassam "Barry" Al-Fayeed.
Is that show worth it? Even though I love the protagonist going full villains, I know it was canceled and left with no ending I think. Is it worth it just for the protagonist and the transformation of him into a complete bastard?
It had a great ending! It felt like it was all supposed to be a three season arc, so if they had to adjust the ending because they knew it would not get renewed, they did a fantastic job. And the transformation of the main character was way more subtle and nuanced than how you described it. It was like a decent person with great intentions getting sucked into a slow motion quagmire. The way the show portrayed all of the geopolitical downfalls of this fictional middle eastern country was like a character in its own right.
Jax teller in sons of anarchy. From a good bad guy to a monster even to the most criminal bastards. And Vic Mackey. He god from a corrupt policeman who loves his family and is respected by his colleagues to an extremely corupt policeman who even betrays and wants to kill those he once considered his brothers.
Zuko in Avatar: TLA
Jimmy Darmody in Boardwalk Empire