8 Great Fantasy TV Villains Who Were Redeemed (& 1 Should Never Have Been)

It’s common for fantasy TV shows to feature villains who try to turn their lives around. While not every bad guy can be saved – characters like Joffrey and Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones are prime examples – the villains who can change for the better are usually more complicated and compelling to watch.

Redemption stories are popular for a reason: we enjoy watching characters confront their flaws and demonstrate their capacity for good, even after making mistakes. Sometimes this involves a complete transformation, and other times it’s about making amends for past wrongs. The most compelling stories show characters actively striving to improve, and we experience that growth with them, making their eventual success all the more rewarding.

8) Redeemed: Captain Hook From Once Upon a Time

Captain Hook’s story arc in Once Upon a Time is particularly captivating. Introduced in Season 2 as Killian Jones, Hook is initially driven by a desire for revenge against Rumplestiltskin, who he blames for the death of his true love. While seeking vengeance isn’t inherently villainous, flashbacks reveal a troubled past and suggest he’s committed questionable acts. He’s also willing to hurt others to achieve his goals, establishing him as a complex and often dangerous character.

Luckily, Captain Hook starts to become a better person after he meets Emma Swan. Their connection feels genuine, making his transformation believable. By the end of the show, he’s completely changed from a selfish villain into someone who would give up everything for the town of Storybrooke. Because his past actions weren’t as severe as those of characters like Regina or Rumplestiltskin, Hook’s journey to redemption is arguably the most rewarding to watch.

7) Redeemed: Viren From The Dragon Prince

Throughout The Dragon Prince, Viren is responsible for a great deal of conflict. Season 1 shows how deeply he’s betrayed others, both in the past and present. He largely remains a villain, becoming increasingly corrupted by the dark magic he uses. Viren’s actions don’t just harm the kingdom of Katolis; they affect everyone around him, including those he cares about, like the friend whose death he caused and his children, Soren and Claudia. Despite all the trouble he creates, the series surprisingly manages to offer Viren a chance at redemption before the story ends.

While Viren’s change of heart doesn’t turn him into a hero, it does offer a fitting conclusion to his story. In the final episode, he finally prioritizes the well-being of Katolis and his family over his own desires, a moment that’s been building throughout the series. However, his past actions aren’t simply forgiven; the other characters – and the audience – aren’t meant to forget what he’s done. This is a strength of the story, as it demonstrates that true redemption isn’t about being absolved of guilt, but about choosing to do the right thing, even without personal gain.

6) Redeemed: Michael From The Good Place

One of the biggest surprises in The Good Place is the reveal that Michael (Ted Danson) is a demon from the Bad Place, and he’s been deceiving Eleanor (Kristen Bell) and her friends throughout the first season. This immediately makes him seem like the villain, especially because he enjoys watching them struggle. While this is an interesting direction for Danson’s character, it doesn’t stay that way. True to the show’s compassionate nature, Michael eventually starts to care about the people he’s been tormenting. At first, he only helps them to benefit himself, but his feelings slowly begin to change.

Throughout the second season of The Good Place, Michael undergoes a significant transformation, particularly after Chidi uses philosophy to connect with him. He proves he’s changing when he unexpectedly sacrifices himself to save Eleanor, solidifying his status as one of the show’s heroes. While he isn’t actually destroyed, this moment marks his genuine connection with the group, and it’s rewarding to see his growth continue beyond this pivotal point.

5) Redeemed: Crowley From Supernatural

The idea of characters finding redemption is a common one in Supernatural, but when Crowley (Mark Sheppard) first appeared, few fans predicted he’d become a better person. Introduced in Season 5 as unpredictable, he opposed Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) but remained untrustworthy to the Winchesters. Mark Sheppard’s engaging portrayal quickly made Crowley a standout villain. Ultimately, his evolving partnership with the heroes and selfless sacrifice established him as the show’s most compelling character.

Okay, so Crowley’s arc isn’t as dramatically different as some other baddies we’ve seen, but trust me, it really hits you in the final scenes. The choices made with his ending have been debated – the actor himself, Mark Sheppard, had some thoughts on it, as reported by CBR – but honestly, as a fan, I found it incredibly rewarding. It’s a little frustrating that his sacrifice doesn’t fully change things going forward, but his attempt to lock up Lucifer? That’s a strong, memorable finish for a character a lot of us really connected with.

4) Redeemed: Spike From Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The show Buffy the Vampire Slayer features many characters who change for the better, but Spike’s transformation is often considered one of the most compelling. Introduced in Season 2 as a dangerous enemy intent on killing Buffy, Spike initially appears as a powerful villain. Over time, however, he goes on a long journey of redemption, eventually regaining his soul and making the ultimate sacrifice.

Spike has become a beloved character, despite his flaws and mistakes. The show does a great job of developing him, especially his dramatic change in goals throughout the series. James Marsters perfectly portrays Spike’s transformation from a villain to a more heroic figure, and the challenges he overcomes make his story feel authentic and meaningful.

3) Redeemed: Jaime Lannister From Game of Thrones

While Game of Thrones doesn’t have many purely evil characters, Jaime Lannister’s act of pushing Bran Stark from a window definitely positions him as a villain. From the start, Jaime is capable of awful deeds, and often his actions are even worse than they initially seem. He’s primarily motivated by his own desires and will readily harm others to benefit himself or his sister, Cersei.

Throughout the series, Jaime changes significantly, especially as he develops a strong respect for Brienne of Tarth. He becomes more committed to his promise to find the Stark daughters and begins to challenge and even disobey Cersei. This conflict reaches its peak when he decides to travel north and battle the White Walkers, even though Cersei refuses to offer assistance. Jaime’s dedication to his vows and doing the right thing clearly demonstrate his growth. Even his setbacks towards the end are meaningful, illustrating that the path to redemption isn’t always straightforward.

2) Redeemed: Prince Zuko From Avatar: The Last Airbender

Prince Zuko’s journey in Avatar: The Last Airbender is arguably the most compelling character transformation in fantasy TV. While he’s driven by a desire to win back his father, Fire Lord Ozai’s, approval, it’s evident early on that Zuko possesses a good heart. Despite this, he struggles to show it, but consistently makes decisions that go against the Fire Nation – showing mercy to those his father wouldn’t and occasionally even assisting Team Avatar, though often unwillingly.

Zuko’s story, much like Jaime’s, shows that changing for the better isn’t easy or direct. He gets close to turning things around in Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2, but then repeats his errors. Going back home to the Fire Nation, though, allows him to realize his mistakes and find the strength to do what’s right. Because his journey is so complex and challenging, it’s incredibly rewarding when he finally joins Team Avatar and eventually becomes the new Fire Lord. The show makes him earn these achievements, which makes viewers genuinely root for him.

1) Shouldn’t Have Been Redeemed: Klaus From The Vampire Diaries & The Originals

Klaus, played by Joseph Morgan, first appears in Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries with a reputation as a formidable villain. However, extending his storyline – and later centering The Originals around him and his family – ultimately had mixed results. While glimpses of Klaus’s humanity made him a compelling antagonist, they weren’t sufficient to offset centuries of terrible actions.

While The Originals presents a journey towards Klaus’s redemption, his actions are largely motivated by self-interest throughout most of the show. Although his relationships demonstrate his capacity for caring, even his positive actions are usually driven by a desire to protect those he cares about, which still centers on his own needs. Klaus never truly shows growth as a person beyond his immediate circle, and it feels like he would still be capable of terrible acts if he felt justified.

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2025-11-07 04:11