10 TV Characters Who Were Far More Complex Than We First Thought

There is a limited number of character archetypes in TV shows, and it is rare that the character’s behavior can change so drastically that they transform into someone entirely different. Shallow jerks don’t often become sensitive romantic heroes, and comedic reliefs aren’t usually used for dramatic effect. However, some characters break down stereotypes and emerge out of their shells better than they have ever been before. For instance, in How I Met Your Mother, Barney Stinson went from an appalling womanizer to a devoted husband, although he did revert to his old ways after the divorce. While Barney’s redemption arc could’ve been handled better, his growth was undeniable.

This character development doesn’t always have to be positive. In fact, the characters that seem good to the core at the beginning can undergo a villainous transformation by the end, which is just as brilliant a move on the series’ part. A kindhearted go-getter can become boring rather quickly, but if they turn out to have a darker side, they instantly draw a lot more attention to them. This was the case with Community‘s Annie Edison who tried on quite a lot of roles in her time on the show, and it will be even more fascinating to see how Annie, along with the rest of the characters, will have changed in the upcoming Community movie.

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10 Barney Stinson

How I Met Your Mother

In How I Met Your Mother’s pilot episode, Barney Stinson was introduced as the shameless womanizer who saw women as conquests, and he carried on in the same fashion for quite a few seasons. After Barney caught feelings for Robin, he was transformed in a way that no one really expected. After all, Ted Mosby was supposed to be the main character whose love life mattered the most, so seeing Barney develop beyond his initial role of a senseless play boy and eventually “get the girl” was a risky move that paid off. If only Barney and Robin’s divorce hadn’t canceled all of Barney’s growth and reduced him into a pathetic aging player.

9 Cheryl Blossom

Riverdale

At the beginning of Riverdale, Cheryl Blossom seemed like a run-of-the-mill popular girl who liked to act holier-than-thou if people didn’t want to do things her way. She was annoying and disrespectful toward most of the main characters, and there was no real depth to her apart from the storyline with her dead brother. Thankfully, as the show progressed, Cheryl grew into a more layered character who showed compassion for her friends and had her own pivotal moments. Cheryl’s relationship with Toni was arguably what started her redemption arc, and it was a delight to see them still together in Riverdale’s series finale ending.

8 Eric Matthews

Boy Meets World

While it is unclear exactly why Eric became so dumb in Boy Meets World, the character was the main comedic relief on the show. Even though Eric’s personality shift was drastic, he was able to shine through his silliness in the later seasons, after there were already no expectations for him whatsoever. Eric might not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was kind, nice, and genuine, which won people over multiple times. Through his relationships with Cory and his friends, his sweet academic pursuit of Mr. Feeny, and various career endeavors, Eric proved that there was more to him than met the eye.

7 April Ludgate

Parks and Recreation

April Ludgate’s slow transformation in Parks and Recreation was one of the most surprising directions the show ever took. In season 1, April was an awkward, overly negative intern who seemed like she would never get past being an annoying side character who had nothing to offer but her mean comments to anyone who was listening. However, starting from season 2, step by step, April began to change — she showed appreciation for the job she claimed she didn’t like, she became a great girlfriend and then wife to Andy, and she realized what it meant to be a supportive friend and coworker.

6 Richard “Richie” Jerimovich

The Bear

The Bear’s Richie Jerimovich looked like the biggest jerk in the world at the beginning of the show. With his hurtful remarks and angry outlook on life, Richie wasn’t the most complex character. Thankfully, later on, he showed off the person underneath his defensive exterior. It turned out that Richie was sweet and caring, but only with those who earned his love and respect over the years. Richie held his closest circle in the highest esteem and was willing to do anything for them even when they didn’t ask for his help. The Bear managed to turn its most unlikable character into one of the best.

5 Annie Edison

Community

Community liked to experiment with its characters, making up their personalities and motivations along the way, and Annie Edison had one of the most astonishing journeys on the show. In season 1, Annie was a perfectionist who cared about being the best in her class, and that was her main shtick. Even though Annie’s tragic backstory was revealed at the very beginning, no one took her too seriously. As the show progressed, Annie’s darker nature crept up on the study group, and her complicated relationship with Jeff showed off her self-destructive side in a new way. Still, it is a pity Annie and Jeff didn’t end up together in Community‘s finale.

4 Michael Scott

The Office

At first, The Office’s Michael Scott seemed to be the boss from nightmares. He was intrusive and selfish, and he made inappropriate comments and jokes, which solidified him as one of the most unlikable characters in season 1. While all of these things remained true about him further on, Michael also turned out to be a sensitive and caring manager who treated his colleagues as family. None of this excused his horrible behavior, but these revelations meant that Michael wasn’t two-dimensional anymore, and overall, he did become more bearable over the years. No one expected to like Michael at first, but everyone was tearing up when he left in The Office season 7.

3 Gina Linetti

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Gina Linetti was one of the most controversial characters in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She was an arrogant presence at the 99th precinct. Gina’s apparent disinterest in the problems of people around her and the way she was always on her phone didn’t paint the prettiest picture of her personality. However, there were multiple occasions when Gina proved that she did care about her job and her coworkers, despite saying otherwise. She may not have been the most emotional member of the team, but Gina was much deeper than anyone, including her childhood friend Jake, thought. In fact, it was Gina and Jake’s endearing friendship that gave Gina’s personality layers.

2 Spike

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Spike was supposed to be an average villain for Buffy to defeat. He was more charming than most, and his weird relationship with Drusilla made him stand out in the vampire crowd, but that was it. To everyone’s shock, Spike developed into a morally ambiguous hero who became worthy of being with Buffy, and his redemption arc was particularly captivating to watch. Spike went from a typical one-off villain to a complex character who made mistakes and atoned for them. Spike is now considered to be one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s central characters, and rightfully so.

1 Chidi Anagonye

The Good Place

Chidi Anagonye was essentially the person who claimed the moral high ground by being an ethics professor, and that was his whole personality for a while on The Good Place. Once Chidi and Eleanor’s relationship took on, Chidi opened up as a person who struggled with indecisiveness and self-doubt his whole life. His vulnerable side made him much more relatable, and it was the reason Chidi became one of the most beloved characters in The Good Place. His journey from the series’ pilot episode up until the finale wasn’t easy, but it was close to perfect for Chidi in the end.