19 Loved characters from TV shows who started as evil

Modified Jan 25, 2025 14:16 ET

Regina Mills/The Evil Queen (Once Upon a Time) | Image Source: ABC — Regina Mills/The Evil Queen (Once Upon a Time) | Image Source: HBO

12. Merle Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Merle Dixon (The Walking Dead) | Image Source: AMC

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.