TV shows are usually where characters come into their own—growing, falling, changing over seasons in a way that keeps us hooked. But sometimes, a character makes such a sudden turn, they’re practically unrecognizable. Whether a natural change or a befuddling flip, these extreme changes can make a show better—or make viewers scratch their heads.
These 10 characters had changes that weren’t subtle at all.
1. Sansa Stark (Game of Thrones)
Sansa’s transformation is among the most discussed on contemporary television. She starts as a wide-eyed girl noble who dreams of courtly love, but through years of suffering, betrayal, and political intrigue, she becomes a clever, ruthless commander. Her transformation was celebrated by many as one of survival-made-strength, but some criticized that later seasons hurried her along to conform to the show’s rushed momentum.
2. Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)
Rory was the show’s golden girl at one point—book-smart, nice, and perpetually polite. But over the run of the series, particularly as she made it through her college years, cracks began to appear. Her choices—leaving Yale, yacht-napping, and drifting away from her previously tight family—frustrated long-time viewers. As The Panther Newspaper noted, Rory’s change was so jarring that it tested the show’s comfortable charm.
3. Winston Bishop (New Girl)
Winston arrived on the loft set as the voice of reason, but over the years, he evolved into the show’s quirkiest character. His strange hobbies, over-the-top pranks, and odd fascinations charmed some and befuddled others. Many accepted “weird Winston,” but others longed for the more down-to-earth original from the first few seasons.
4. Robin Buckley (Stranger Things)
Robin broke out in Season 3 with her quick wit and no-holds-barred personality. In Season 4, she was solidly part of the main friend clique, showing a softer, emotional side. Although her development was true, the rapidity of her character development caught some off guard by how smoothly she morphed from outsider to full-fledged team member.
5. Quinn Fabray (Glee)
Quinn’s character was far from consistent. From school queen bee and head cheerleader to teen mom bad girl, then villain, and then good girl once again, her storylines often seemed driven by dramatic necessity rather than organic development. Her growth (and constant backsliding) made her volatile, but also infuriating to viewers who yearned for a more grounded arc.
6. Miranda Hobbs (Sex and the City / And Just Like That…)
In the original show, Miranda was the straight-shooting lawyer, pragmatic, tart, and fiercely independent. In the revival, she has a dramatic shift, acting on impulse and questioning her life and identity. While some fans enjoyed this midlife rebirth, others complained that her change clashed with the down-to-earth character they knew.
7. Eli Moskowitz / Hawk (Cobra Kai)
Eli’s transformation is dramatic, even by Cobra Kai standards. He starts as a shy, bullied teen, then adopts the Hawk persona—complete with a mohawk and newfound aggression—only to later soften again as he seeks redemption. His arc reflects the show’s themes of identity and influence, though the speed of his changes can occasionally feel a bit much.
8. Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)
Leslie began as a slightly hyper, clumsy government employee. As the show settled into its stride, she transformed into a skilled, inspirational leader while maintaining her boundless energy. This was an improvement—her transformation made her more endearing and likable, but not lose the tics that defined her.
9. Carol Peletier (The Walking Dead)
Carol’s makeover is the most extreme in the show. She starts as the demure, battered housewife and develops into a toughened, calculating survivor who’s the most ruthless individual in most situations. Her storyline is a popular favorite, but the extremity of her transformation within the course of time led to doubt about how realistic the change could be.
10. Manny Delgado (Modern Family)
Manny began as the show’s old soul—a lovey-dovey, poetry-worshipping kid with an air of sophistication beyond his years. Yet as he matured, that charm devolved into klutziness and insecurity. Some viewers perceived this as a realistic aspect of growing up, while others felt the character lost what initially defined him.
When Character Development Goes Bold
Major character shifts can revitalize a series or repel its niche viewers. Occasionally, they represent actual development or needed rebirth. Occasionally, they’re reinventions for the sake of reinvention. Love them or hate them, though, these character changes serve one truth: in television, change is unavoidable—and executed effectively, unforgettable.