19 Loved characters from TV shows who started as evil

Television has given us hundreds of memorable characters, some of who started as outright villains. Characters who were extremely ruthless and unforgiving. However, with time their character arcs took unexpected turns as they became among the most endearing figures ever in television. From cunning schemers to misunderstood antiheroes, these are the 19 loved characters who started as evil. Please note that this entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

1. Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Spike began as one of Buffy's most fierce enemies, a bloodthirsty vampire without remorse. But his character took a drastic turn, especially as he started falling in love with Buffy. The change from a villain to a complex antihero was amazing, and the fans could not help but be on his side despite his dark past. His redemption storyline, full of weakness and emotional transformation, made him one of the show's most popular characters. Spike's development also demonstrated the themes of redemption, love, and the in-betweenness of morality.

2. Jamie Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Known as the "Kingslayer" and hated for his incestuous relationship with Cersei, Jamie Lannister began Game of Thrones as one of its most detested characters. As his arc ran, however, he was seen to be on the path toward honor, especially in his complicated relationship with Brienne of Tarth. His redemption arc speaks to the series' ability to blur the lines between good and evil. Jaime is one of the most tragic yet compelling characters. Although some of his decisions were rather questionable, the journey from an arrogant knight to a man of conscience made him one of the most interesting characters in the series.

3. Regina Mills/The Evil Queen (Once Upon a Time)

The character of Regina Mills, also known as the Evil Queen from Once Upon a Time, started as the ultimate evil character—hell-bent on revenge, casting a curse upon the land. Little by little, the series unfolded into Regina's tragic past, which explained her actions. Her redemption battle, particularly with Emma and Henry, molded her from an evil killer into a very sympathetic character. Regina's was one of the most satisfying character arcs in the show.

4. Niklaus Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries/The Originals)

Niklaus begins as a terrifying antagonist- the original vampire with no care except for power and control. Sadistic and manipulative, Klaus was an enemy to almost anyone. However, his story in The Originals revealed so much more of this tortured soul in need of love and acceptance. His complexities blended with his undeniable charm made people see him differently. Although Klaus still held a dark side, his moments of vulnerability and his desire for family made him a very lovable antihero.

5. Loki (Loki)

Loki's role as a villainous antihero transformed throughout the series. However, throughout the Avengers movies and also in the Loki series, the character begins to gain more depth through the unveiling of insecurity and insatiable thirst for validation. His disorderly-yet-appealing personality along with his search for identity helped him to become one of the most endearing characters in the cinematic universe of the MCU.

6. Michael (The Good Place)

Michael starts The Good Place as an evil architect, designing an afterlife that is disguised as heaven but secretly torments humans. At first, he takes pleasure in their misery, considering it a form of creative experiment. However, as his plans fall apart and he gets closer to Eleanor and the group, Michael begins to understand the complexities of humanity. His moral evolution influences him to reevaluate his destiny, resulting in his decision to join them in the pursuit of redemption.

7. Ben Linus (Lost)

One of the most manipulative and sinister characters in Lost initially, Ben Linus is indeed a master of deceit. As the series goes on to delve deeper into his past, it becomes evident that he is a highly flawed man trying to seek redemption. His complicated relationship with the other characters, especially with John Locke, gives depth to his character.

8. Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries)

Damon Salvatore started the show as a charming but brutal vampire who liked causing pain. He was always a loose cannon, often clashing with his brother Stefan, and frequently the bad guy. However, the more time passes and the more time Damon spends in love with Elena, the more the viewer sees his more vulnerable side. His journey from villain to a more self-aware and caring character showcased his growth, making him one of the most beloved characters in the show.

9. Elijah Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries/The Originals)

Elijah Mikaelson, one of the Original vampires, initially emerged as a quiet, calculating man who was willing to do anything to save his family. Even though he would often commit the most horrific crimes, he is more complex than the traditional evil person because he was in love with his family and wanted peace. Through the character's interaction with his siblings and, eventually, his need for redemption, Elijah becomes a sympathetic figure.

10. Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Faith Lehane, the wild and destructive Slayer, started as the dangerous dark to Buffy, embracing her darker self and reveling in violence and chaos. At first, an antagonist, Faith's tragic history and sense of abandonment by the Watchers made her vulnerable, so it was much easier to be sympathetic toward her. Her transition from villain to antihero and eventually to redemption made for one of the most emotionally challenging arcs for Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

11. Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Zuko starts the Avatar: The Last Airbender series as a determined yet misguided antagonist. His pursuit of re-establishing honor is what compels him to capture Aang. His internal blindness towards his identity is fueled by his relentless search for validation from his cold-hearted father. In the middle of the series, his internal conflict builds up, and he questions his current path. Ultimately, he selects loyalty to true friends and sticks to his moral compass.

12. Merle Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Merle Dixon, Daryl's aggressive brother, started the show as an abrasive and dangerous character. His violent behavior made him one of the show's more unlikable figures. However, when his backstory unfolded and he bonded with the group, the viewers saw a human side to him. The redemption came too late, but the sacrifice during the Governor's attack showed that Merle could change. His arc from villain to tragic hero made his character one of the more moving ones in the series.

13. Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Angel was once a soul to a vampire, a brooding, mysterious ally to Buffy. However, when he loses his soul in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he becomes Angelus. Upon regaining his soul, Angel becomes a tragic, morally conflicted character pulled between his dark past and the desire to redeem himself. His journey of redemption made him one of the most attractive characters in Buffyverse.

14. Negan Smith (The Walking Dead)

Negan began as one of the most dreaded villains on The Walking Dead, initially with brutally ending Glenn's life. However, as time went by, the audience started to notice that Negan was more than that. His relationship with Carl and his moments of vulnerability revealed his desire to change. Negan's long journey toward redemption, especially as he was gaining the group's trust little by little, made a once despicable villain become a complex character who is capable of empathy and growth.

15. Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)

Chuck Bass was the quintessential bad boy on Gossip Girl—rich, manipulative, and unapologetically self-destructive. Initially, his behavior made him a tough character to like, but vulnerability and true love for Blair Waldorf made him vulnerable. He was the only character to show himself as being able to change over the course of the series. His change from being a mean, rash teenager to someone capable of love and responsibility made this character one of the most memorable characters from this show.

16. Logan Echolls (Veronica Mars)

Logan Echolls starts as the quintessential "bad boy," with the baggage of troubled history, the rebellious attitude, and the destructive behaviors that characterize the individual. Mostly he is a prime suspect in crime throughout the episodes and his on/off relationship with Veronica is filled with tension and argument, but he evolves to more vulnerable and deeper emotionally throughout the course of the show. His tragic background, complicated relationships, and real love for Veronica make him grow from a seemingly irredeemable character into a beloved antihero.

17. Sylar (Heroes)

Sylar, one of the main antagonists in Heroes, was a merciless killer in the beginning stages who murdered other "specials" to steal their powers. His cold and calculating personality made him a great adversary. However, as the series progressed, Sylar's history and inner struggles were unraveled. His complex motivation and the struggle within his darker persona made him more sympathetic.

18. Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Cersei Lannister's character in the series Game of Thrones is very layered and complex; it evolved from being a scheming, ruthless queen to becoming a tragic figure. Initially, she was hated for her ruthlessness in manipulation and manipulation of her children's fate. Through the course of the series, however, her obsessive desire to protect her family and her fierce love for her children endear her to the audience.

19. T-Bag (Prison Break)

T-Bag, or the proper name Theodore Bagwell, was one of Prison Break's most hated characters. He was an unapologetic sadistic and manipulative inmate capable of the worst things. As the series unfolds, however, vulnerability and a desire for redemption open up about him. He is a character mired by his past and yet shows many unexpected moments of humanity. His twisted complexities have made him one of the most interesting characters.