From my experience writing screenplays, I have found that no story can succeed without two main types of characters.
These characters are essential because they drive the plot, create tension, and give your audience someone to root for or against.
Even if you are trying to minimize the number of characters for budget reasons, these two types are non-negotiable.
What are the two main types of characters in a screenplay?
The two main types of characters in a screenplay are the protagonist and the antagonist. The protagonist is the central character around whom the story revolves. The antagonist is the opposing force, creating obstacles that the protagonist must overcome. Together, they define the narrative structure, tension, and emotional engagement of your story.
Before diving into the details, I want to emphasize that understanding these characters is the first step toward writing a screenplay that captivates your audience. For a full beginner guide on how characters fit into screenwriting, see the main sub pillar here:
How To Start Screenwriting For Beginners
The Protagonist
The protagonist is the hero of your story. They are the character the audience identifies with and wants to succeed. Every action, obstacle, and emotional beat revolves around this character. The protagonist’s journey is the heart of the story, and their transformation often provides the emotional payoff for the audience.
Characteristics of a Protagonist
From my experience, a strong protagonist possesses certain essential traits:
- Relatable and believable
- Active in driving the plot
- Vulnerable, with flaws that make them human
- Goal-oriented
- Emotionally relevant to the audience
Relatable and Believable
A protagonist must reflect real human experiences. I always make sure their lifestyle, decisions, and challenges mirror situations my audience can relate to. When viewers see themselves in the protagonist, they become invested in the story. This connection makes the audience eager to follow the character’s journey to see if they achieve their goal.
For more guidance on making your characters believable, see How To Make Your Characters Believable In A Screenplay.
Active in Driving the Plot
Your protagonist must not be a passive observer. I make sure they take decisive actions that propel the story forward. Every decision and movement should create new opportunities or challenges, keeping the audience engaged and the plot dynamic.
Vulnerability
Flaws make a protagonist human and relatable. In my own writing, I always give the hero weaknesses, fears, or moral dilemmas that they must confront. Vulnerability allows for growth, making their journey compelling and their victories meaningful.
Goal-Oriented
Every strong protagonist has clear goals. I define what they want to achieve and why it matters. This goal serves as the foundation for the entire screenplay, shaping the narrative arc and guiding their decisions. For tips on connecting goals to character development, see Key Steps To Finding Your Character’s Goal In A Story.
Emotionally Relevant
Protagonists must take audiences on an emotional journey. I focus on creating situations where viewers can empathize with the character’s struggles, victories, and setbacks. This emotional connection keeps the audience invested from beginning to end.
The Antagonist
The antagonist is the opposing force, often called the villain. They create the challenges and obstacles that prevent the protagonist from achieving their goals. A well-crafted antagonist is essential for tension, conflict, and dramatic stakes.
Characteristics of an Antagonist
In my experience, a strong antagonist has these traits:
- Strong opposition to the protagonist
- Cunning and clever
- Emotionally provocative or hateful
- Clear goals and motivations
Strong Opposition
The antagonist must challenge the protagonist at every turn. Their actions create conflict that drives the story forward. I always ensure that every move the antagonist makes directly tests the protagonist’s skills, resolve, and character growth.
Cunning
Simple or one-dimensional antagonists fail to captivate. I make my villains clever, unpredictable, and formidable. Their intelligence forces the protagonist to think creatively and struggle, which heightens the stakes.
Emotionally Provocative
The best antagonists provoke strong emotional reactions from the audience. They are characters viewers love to hate. By making their actions distasteful or morally wrong, I create tension and engagement that keeps the audience invested in the outcome.
Clear Goals and Motivations
An antagonist must have reasons for opposing the protagonist. I make sure their goals are clearly defined and contrast with the protagonist’s. This opposition creates meaningful conflict and ensures that every confrontation has stakes the audience can understand.
Relationship Between Protagonist and Antagonist
The dynamic between protagonist and antagonist is central to a screenplay. This relationship generates tension, conflict, and emotional engagement. In my screenplays, I carefully consider how these two characters interact to drive the plot and reinforce the theme.
- Opposing Goals: Their objectives clash, creating natural conflict that drives the narrative.
- Physical or Psychological Confrontation: Encounters between the two characters must heighten tension and challenge the protagonist.
- Emotional Complexity: Relationships between these characters should be nuanced, sometimes showing unexpected connections or moral ambiguity. See How To Create A Complex Character For Your Screenplay for more guidance.
- Thematic Relevance: Their interactions should reinforce the story’s theme. For insights on connecting character relationships to theme, see How To Create A Theme For Your Screenplay.
By fully understanding the roles of the protagonist and antagonist, I can create a screenplay that is emotionally engaging, dynamically conflicted, and narratively cohesive. Every action, every obstacle, and every emotional beat becomes purposeful, keeping audiences invested until the very last scene.
Related supporting articles for deeper character understanding:
- How To Write Character Development In A Screenplay
- Key Steps To Finding Your Character’s Goal In A Story
- How To Create A Complex Character For Your Screenplay
- How To Create A Theme For Your Screenplay
Link upward to sub pillar: How To Start Screenwriting For Beginners