The antiheroes in today’s modern television dramas have put a face to the old hero trope. Such character portrayals reveal a shift in cultural attitudes and provide greater insight into human nature. The rise of the antihero has disrupted television storytelling, challenging and redefining the landscape of drama series.
Antiheroes in modern television dramas
From 2007 to 2015, Mad Men captivated audiences with its story of the dapper Don Draper. Created by Matthew Weiner and played by Jon Hamm, the 1960s advertising executive is the epitome of charm and flawedness. The personal turmoil, identity crises and tormenting past form a sharp contrast to the relief Draper gets from his stressful career. No redemption, no punishment – only happiness and survival in an amoral world is what he wants. Mad Men presents a different story: an identity crisis, consumerism and an ever-changing social landscape in America.
Recent years have often featured complex female antiheroines who challenge traditional gender roles. In Killing Eve (2018–2022), a character named Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer, manages to be a deeply psychopathic assassin, but is still charming, witty, and unabashed about her murderous psychopathic tendencies. Fleabag (2016–2019), created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, also features a strong portrayal of a protagonist struggling with guilt, grief, and self-destruction. Both series expressed the growing hunger for more diverse representations of flawed and complex women.
Another element is the fact that most modern television dramas have ensemble casts that take audiences on an intimate journey through various antiheroes with unique moral complexities. Game of Thrones (2011-2019) featured characters like Tyrion Lannister, Jaime Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, who gain dimensionality, ambition, redemption, and vengeance over the course of the series. Their stories are closely interwoven with larger themes of power, loyalty, and destiny.
Antiheroes beyond television
From television screens to casino floors, antiheroes have taken the world by storm. Antiheroes roam video games, books, and slot machines with a flair that never disappoints. Red Dead Redemption 2’s antihero, Arthur Morgan, is a prime example of the tide of moral complications in video games. This outlaw draws the player into the maelstrom of the journey between loyalty, inner turmoil, and banal acts of tenderness. Through interactive storytelling, the player can decide who controls Arthur’s path.
Slot machines have transformed from one-armed bandits to storytellers. Rainbow Riches is an example of this change, with a mischievous leprechaun as the anti-hero. More trickster than master, this wily character captivates players with his unpredictable antics. Each spin reveals a new chapter of his mischievous story, in keeping with the narratives of modern television dramas.
Antiheroes are nothing new in literature. A great example is the enigmatic hacker Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Her traumatic past drives her to a ruthless quest for justice, often in highly questionable ways. Salander’s extreme methods run counter to traditional heroism, but readers are drawn to her resilience and complexity. She operates outside the boundaries of the law, exacting vengeance on those who have wronged her.
Cultural reflection and social commentary
The introduction of antiheroes into modern television dramas also reflects wider cultural and social changes. In an era of political, economic and social uncertainty, antiheroes engage strongly with the skepticism and disillusionment that characterise contemporary society. By challenging conventional heroism and morality, they challenge audiences to question and redefine values.
For example, The Shield (2002-2008) is a series about Vic Mackey, a corrupt cop who dispenses justice by breaking laws. The portrayal of the police in this drama represents corruption and responsibility for dark deeds within institutions that are supposed to ensure justice. In House of Cards (2013-2018), the series revolves around Frank Underwood, who delves into the dark underbelly of political ambition and power.
Television storytelling has benefited greatly from this recent dark trend of morally dubious protagonists, especially when it comes to much more gripping and thought-provoking experiences. These flawed characters are true mirrors of human nature and life in their complex paths of finding themselves.
