10 TV Shows Where The Villain Became A Hero

4. Lost - Ben Linus

Lost Ben Dead Is Dead
ABC

Originally cast for only three episodes during the show's second season, Michael Emmerson's Ben Linus soon became the main antagonist of the show, serving as the leader of the Others, although, of course, things were never quite as they seemed.

An incredible liar and master manipulator, Ben was seemingly responsible for many of the mysterious goings-on on the island, and allows others to die in order to further his own ends.

Across seasons 4 and 5, however, the character starts to get more fleshed out, as we learn about his daughter being killed and his own childhood too. While he's never exactly likeable due to his past actions and untrustworthy nature, he's definitely written to be more of a good guy at this point, and he does work with the rest of the survivors, and after losing everything he commits to working for the forces of good.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.