Who is Your Favorite Antagonist and Why? Mine is Ted Lasso.

Of all your favorite books, shows and movies: who is your favorite Antagonist and why?
  
I know for some of you that this is like asking you to play favorites amongst your babies, but just pick the one that is striking you at the moment.
  
For me, my favorite Antagonist, at the moment, is Ted from Ted Lasso. I know some of you might be saying "what? Ted's not the Antagonist?" But bear with me here. From my, often utilitarian definition of antagonist which is: the one who forces the others to grow the most, I believe he is.
  
Ted's ruthless optimism, kindness (even in the face of ridiculous behavior by some of his fellow characters), and commitment to creating a true team in every sense of the word, forces all those around him to change for the better. And they do so, kicking and screaming, or in the case of Roy often feeling the need to shout out "fuuuuuuuuucccck".
  
Yes, of course, Ted is also the Protagonist. He has his own emotional arc to deal with. He's a great leader, but nobody taught him how to be vulnerable, or ask for help, and he has to learn that in order to fully be who he wants to be. And to not be a hypocrite to his own expectations.
 
But even in that case, Ted is mostly his own Antagonist, pushing himself and forcing growth from within. (Which as a side note is why I would say Ted Lasso falls more into the category of a Heroine's Journey - but more on that at another time).
  
Why is Ted my favorite? Because I can relate to him. I find myself feeling protective over him. I identify with him for all the ways he's misunderstood and underestimated. And I love how the writers show, without telling, that his quirky, smiley nature is not what many in today's world would define as powerful or "smart". Yet he's quite powerful? Isn't he? In fact, he seems to have magically wormed his way into the hearts of most Americans, at a time when they're divided on most everything else, except Ted. That's the pretty damn powerful.
  
I share my love of Ted Lasso to remind everyone that Antagonists can fall into a very wide spectrum - all the way from Ted to Hannibal Lecter and everything in between. And that sometimes the Protagonist is the Antagonist.
 
And with that in mind, I ask again: who is your favorite Antagonist and why?
 
Would genuinely love to hear from all of you. The writer's life is lonely without feedback. (And if you'd like to join us for a chat, RSVP for our free talk April 15th by clicking HERE)
  
******Holly Payberg-Torroija is a writer/writing coach and partner at Humans on The Verge, where she guides writers through her signature writing program, Loving The Process. To learn more about upcoming workshops, events or courses click here