Teen Wolf: Every Main Character Ranked Worst To Best

Derek Hale was part of the show for its first four seasons (with a brief return in season six) and one of its most tragic and interesting figures. He lost his entire family to a house fire caused by his one-time flame and infamous werewolf hunter Kate Argent, was forced to kill his girlfriend as a teenager after she was bitten by an alpha, and was forced to kill his uncle Peter after he went on a murderous rampage.

All told, Derek went through a lot both before and during the show, but that didn't stop him from being one of the show's strongest and most persistent characters. He never backed out of a fight, and though things got off to a shaky start he soon proved to be a loyal and dependable friend to the likes of Scott, Stiles, Lydia and Isaac.

His arc in the first four seasons saw a great change to his character, too, and though season four wasn't the show's strongest efforts, Derek's final journey was as compelling as fans were hoping it would be. When he returned in season six for the final showdown with the Hunters, it was a welcome return and a highlight to an otherwise disappointing season.