Best 2026 Netflix TV Shows for character development

#1

Reviewers see a satisfying arc from manufactured pop figure to self-directed artist, with key relationships helping her grow in confidence and creative control.

#2

The series is praised for keeping Mica at the center through her voice, journals, footage, and loved ones’ accounts, helping her register as a full person rather than only a...

#3

Eddie’s evolution from reluctant participant to ambitious crime boss is one of the most consistently praised elements. Reviewers also note stronger growth for several supporting characters.

#4

The strongest arcs deepen parenthood, resilience and community bonds, with Mel, Jack, Lizzie and Denny receiving meaningful growth. Supporting characters often evolve more convincingly than the central romance.

#5

Character growth is a major strength, especially as archetypes gain layers and Deborah develops beyond her impulsive first impression. The rushed season sometimes limits how fully that growth can land.

#6

The adult friends are given meaningful midlife frustrations, old wounds, and evolving self-understanding, with Saoirse especially well developed. Some reviewers wanted more depth for Dara, Greta, and a few supporting...

#7

The second half earns praise for giving Benedict, Sophie, Violet, Francesca and several supporting characters more growth and emotional dimension.

#8

Isla’s leadership, Ali’s professional self-worth, and several sibling arcs gain meaningful depth. Other takes argue that crowded plotting flattens Jackie and leaves some promising characters underdeveloped.

#9

Sybylla and many supporting characters gain meaningful nuance, although a few critics find the suitors comparatively shallow or wish the heroine’s internal insecurity were explored more deeply.

#10

Alex and André’s relationship gives the season its clearest arc, moving through grief, resentment, rebellion, and eventual understanding. The main pair are well developed, though one critic felt the secondary...

#11

Many reviewers like the depth given to supporting characters such as Elena, the detectives, and the assassins. Critics of the show argue that Paige and some other figures are underdeveloped...

#12

The documentary makes founders feel like flawed people rather than marble monuments. Personal stories about figures like Washington and Adams help humanize the history.

#13

The show can sketch relationships and family dynamics clearly enough to make the stakes matter. Decider especially credited the first episode with building a good picture of Shawna and David's...

#14

Rafa gives a layered picture of Nadal as disciplined, anxious, resilient, and physically depleted. Some critics still wanted more access to his deepest motivations, but the strongest responses felt the...

#15

Growth is present and becomes more meaningful later in the season, especially when the family returns to its roots. Some critics still find the leads one-note early on, but others...

#16

Character development was one of the show’s strongest selling points when reviewers focused on Sam, Wally, Judy, Art, and Renee. The dissenting view is that some arcs and backstories are...

#17

Character work ranges from thin archetypes to some of the season’s strongest material. Josh’s growth and Teagan’s layered resilience earn praise, while Juliet, Britney, and some adults are seen as...

#18

Cathy and Lee gain substantial texture in this version, but the added focus can come at the expense of other characters. Charles and Aron are frequent examples of arcs that...

#19

Growth is uneven but often rewarding: Zuko, Toph, Sokka, Iroh, and others gain meaningful material, while compression leaves several arcs feeling rushed or incomplete.

#20

Character work is a real strength in the positive reviews, especially once stock-seeming roles gain history and emotional weight. The sharpest negative review saw the detective and reporter as familiar...

#21

The family gradually gains texture, especially Jules and Nell, but Nicky and several supporting figures remain too thin for a story built around relationship choices.

#22

Character work is uneven. Some reviews praised the human stakes and Bridget's complexity, while others felt major figures were thin or unrealistically written.

#23

Berlin and several emotional arcs gain meaningful texture, but critics disagree on whether the supporting characters truly grow or remain thin romantic functions.

#24

The protagonist is often praised as contradictory, messy, and psychologically rich, but several critics found Vladimir, Sid, and other supporting figures underdeveloped or flattened by her viewpoint.

#25

Calvin and Wade receive the strongest emotional attention. Mary, Jay and several secondary residents often have too little development for their numerous subplots to matter.

#26

Bundle’s more emotional, grief-driven characterization gives her stronger motivation, but not everyone likes the tradeoff. One critic found the character writing weak, while another saw the added emotional focus as...

#27

Character growth is uneven. Mike, Will, and the newer relationships receive some heartfelt development, but the fixed timeline also forces several arcs to repeat lessons the characters learn again later.

#28

This is one of the biggest divides. Some viewers appreciate added material for Max, Mike, Eleven, and Nikki, while many others feel the timeline permits only tiny, repetitive, or inconsequential...

#29

Character development is a major dividing line. A few reviewers found the ensemble layered and compelling, but many felt characters were thinly sketched, underexplored, or just vehicles for plot movement.

#30

Character work is the main divider. Supporters like Penelope, Fawn, and the friend group as messy but lovable; critics say Josh, Ray, and some arcs stay underdeveloped or reset too...

#31

Gus’s growing bond with Kitten is the main source of character growth and lands strongly for some viewers. Many critics, however, argue most characters remain one-note and that emotional turns...

#32

Jemma and a few cast members get some trajectory, but the broader ensemble often feels underdeveloped, interchangeable, or short on charisma.

#33

Several critics say the show moves through eliminations before giving them enough time to know or care about the players.