They Understood The Assignment: 29 TV Characters Who Had The Best Glow-Ups (Emotionally, Not Just Physically)

So, here's what the BuzzFeed Community had to say:

🚨 Warning: Potential spoilers ahead!

Note: Some submissions were pulled from this Reddit thread.

"He progressed from a literal demon fire squid to an angelic, good-hearted friend to Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, Jason, and Janet. Ted Danson played him SO beautifully, and I was bawling when *spoiler alert* he finally got his wish to be a human for a while."

—ananyeah

"In the beginning of the series, Alexis was ready to leave her family behind in Schitt's Creek and hop on Stavros's jet to live a luxurious life. But by the end, she was an independent businessperson who turned down money from Twyla in order to make it on her own. I love that journey for her!"

—poogies3

"Even though the show is still on the air, Gregory has changed drastically from Season 1 through Season 5. At first, he was very shy, all about work, and hesitant to get to know his coworkers, Janine, Jacob, Barb, Melissa, and Ava. But over time (mostly thanks to Janine's warm spirit), he felt comfortable enough to be his true self. He let his serious guard down, started to have fun, fell in love, and didn't take life too seriously. I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us during the rest of the series!"

—BuzzFeed

"Honestly, everyone from Heartstopper was written beautifully, but I can speak best to bisexual narratives, and Nick was able to go on that journey without being hindered by the 'you're just gay and pretending to be bi' narrative. It was really refreshing to see a young person be able to find and accept himself through a relationship with another man without having to erase the part of himself that is also interested in women. He made mistakes in his journey and owned every single one of them, even while being so confused about who he was. This was an excellent depiction of a young person learning themselves through queer *joy* instead of trauma, and it was beautiful."

—skaboom

"She starts out as a self-centered witch whose sole purpose is to gain her powers back. But as she continues on the journey of The Witches' Road, she starts to connect with her fellow coven members (especially Billy). Sure, she still exhibits her menace-like tendencies throughout the series, but by the end, she shows true compassion. She was always a selfish person, but she sacrificed herself and her 'purple' so Billy could live. If that isn't personal growth, then I don't know what is."

—BuzzFeed

"Ron's once cold heart softened, he became a father, better friend, learned to use his words/ask for help, and moved on from Tammy 2. He really valued the people around him, and was finally able to express that."

—angelinaandersonm

"Carver is the one who proactively 'grew' out of the rest of the characters. He learned from his mistakes, listened to his superiors, and turned to the right lane when he wrote up his former colleague. In Season 3, there is a town hall meeting where one of the citizens describes how there was a beat cop in her neighbourhood again after there hadn't been one in a long time, and she really appreciates this community policing. Carver is the prime example of such a community-centric police officer who knows the drug dealers in his quarter, the at-risk kids, and who seeks out other community members like Dennis."

—u/sakatan

"Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine has grown so much from Season 1. She's gone from being a secretive and distant person to someone who isn't afraid to confide in her friends. It was such a big moment when she asked Jake for his support because she was nervous about telling her parents she identifies as bisexual. Stephanie Beatriz is so underrated, and Rosa is a goddess."

—ananyeah

"In the beginning of the series, Steve was a pretty big jerk. He mistreated Nancy on multiple occasions in Season 1 and bullied kids who absolutely didn't deserve it. But he's changed so much as the series has progressed. Underneath his once tough exterior is compassion and loyalty that he isn't afraid to show. He looks after the little ones, especially Dustin, and isn't afraid to defend them when all hell breaks loose. Plus, his friendship with Robin is truly heartwarming, and something I'd never believe he was capable of in Season 1."

—BuzzFeed

"He starts out as clueless in the meth business, but before you realize it, he is taking over the whole damn thing. You start out seeing him as the protagonist, however, his behaviour shifts the wholesomeness onto Jesse as he goes way too far to maintain his anonymity and control."

—nicolettequerry

"She was my favorite character by the end of the series, and I think I would’ve been more upset if something happened to her than if something happened to one of the guys in the love triangle. In the beginning of the series, she was extremely selfish and manipulative, but by the end, she was willing to wear that ridiculous dress as Jane’s maid of honor. That's growth."

—starrynight038

"I rewatched New Girl during the pandemic, and I was deeply in awe of Cece's personal growth! She went from being Jess's standoffish model friend to a woman who went back to school to get her degree and pursued her dreams. She was always bluntly honest with the gang, but by the end of the series, she was honest with herself and what she wanted."

—BuzzFeed

"He went from being an irresponsible 'bad boy' to a mature and intelligent author. He definitely got better as the series progressed, especially when he returned for Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life."

—lmpanda

"At the start of the series, she was a glamorous housewife who valued material things more than relationships, and she was cheating on her husband. By the end of the series, she was a much better person. She learned the value of family and had become a mother who fought tooth and nail for her kids."

—mattyc3

"I lovvvved watching this show after graduating from college, mainly because I felt a little lost and BoJack's own struggle with that deeply resonated with me. The show tackled deep subjects and taught me a lot about the human condition. All BoJack wanted in the beginning of the series was to become famous again, the center of attention, and be a true TV star. But through his newfound friendships and acquaintances, he discovered parts of himself he had avoided his whole life. By the end of the series, though he was still a pretty depressed character, he was mindful of his problems. He wasn't afraid to be vulnerable and finally accept the bad instead of avoiding it."

—BuzzFeed

"When the show started, Luanne was a community college student living in her uncle's den because her trailer blew over. From there, she graduated, went to cosmetology school, started her own salon, moved out to her own house, had a very successful public access TV show, got married to an independently wealthy man, had a baby, and showed more character growth than literally everyone else on television."

—u/Underwater_Karma

"Niles starts as Frasier’s pretentious psychiatrist brother who’s being 'whipped around' by his wife and values status and wealth. But then he evolves into a more self-aware, responsible person ready to be a father over the course of the show."

—u/unitedfan6191

"He was a total jerk in the first few seasons, but then he grew to be a fantastic doctor and learned how to be sweet and supportive to people, despite all the crap he had to put up with during his childhood. I still haven't forgiven him for what he did to Joe, but I guess nobody is perfect."

—paulan4014fb90b

"Her metamorphosis from being the pushover headmistress of a dying coven who lived in the shadow of Fiona’s supremacy to the steadfast and powerful reigning Supreme of a flourishing coven was incredible. She was willing to do whatever was needed to defeat the Antichrist and save the world. If this isn’t an example of immense character growth, I don’t know what is."

—BlissfullyNoir

"At the start of the show she was the oddball everyone called 'Crazy Eyes.' Over the course of the show, she became one of the most perceptive and self-aware characters, despite the women constantly making fun of her."

—lexieb45c54cc52

"Will went from being an immature teen who was afraid to study and be vulnerable to a supportive cousin who knew his worth and had grown as a person, while still also keeping his cheekiness."

—donoteatmynachos

"Over the course of the show, Howard went from being a hyper-corporate douchebag lording over everyone, to a character who the viewer realizes has some serious demons. Because, like everyone else, he has to deal with some pretty weird things over the last few years. Is he without any faults? No, of course not. But you do come to realize that he ultimately is a guy without all the answers, just trying his best to get through it all. In retrospect, it's pretty understandable that a guy isn't exactly peachy when his business partner has become wildly allergic to...electricity."

—u/TaxMan781

"Definitely Jeff Winger from Community. he started out as an immature and rude person in the beginning of the series and didn't want any friends, and by the end, he was mature, respectful toward others, and had a lot of good friends."

—hanam554

"Though she didn't become nicer, we've gotten a better understanding of why she is the way she is. Dominique Jackson did such a wonderful job of making Elektra a multifaceted character, and has been robbed of some awards, y’all!"

—itsnotyouitsyou101

"She started off as a selfish slacker whose only concerns were cute guys and partying. She stepped up when Prue died and Piper fell apart; the Power of Three would not have been reinstated without her. Even though she ended up having her happily ever after with Coop, she proved that she didn't NEED a man and she could actually thrive on her own."

—MistyStorm

"He went from an immature teenager to one of the most mature men who was able to love people and let his walls down. I'll never understand the people who say they want a Cory Matthews because I want an intelligent and vulnerable man like Shawn Hunter."

—mermaidmcqueen102

"He came from a rich, republican family in Boston and went to Harvard Medical School. He believed he was not suited to be in army service with the plebes of an army surgical unit. Then we see other characteristics about him. His family sends him expensive chocolate for Christmas, but he doesn't share it with anyone. His friends think he is being selfish. Turns out he was donating the candy to a charity so kids in war-torn Korea could taste 'real chocolate.'"

"It turns out the orphanage was selling the candy, at black market prices, instead of giving it to the kids. Charles corners the charity guy and yells at him. Then the guy apologizes and explains, yeah, the chocolate may give the kids a moment of joy, but now we have enough money to buy the orphanage rice and cabbage for a month.

Charles says HE is the one who should apologize."

—u/tinkrman

"In the first episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary Richards was a 30-year-old single woman who moved to Minneapolis by herself and landed a job at a news station, which was groundbreaking for a TV show in 1970. She was on her own for the first time ever, tackling new adventures on her own terms. Over the course of seven seasons, Mary grew as a TV producer, as a person, and as a friend. She grew to be a person who always stood up for what she believed in and never settled for anything less."

—BuzzFeed

"I know some people might not agree with me, but c'mon: This girl went from being a completely self-absorbed person who lived off of her dad's money to a WOMAN who was so ready to face life and raise her child alone. Rachel Green completely transformed into an independent woman."

—tanishasharma742

Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

The best submissions will be featured in a BuzzFeed Community post!