TV Characters That Underwent Dramatic Appearance Changes Over Time

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It’s common for characters on long-running TV shows to look quite different from when the series began. As characters develop and change, the show’s stylists use things like hair, makeup, and clothing to show those changes to the audience.

Sometimes, the setting of a story determines how a character looks – for example, you wouldn’t expect someone in a destroyed, post-apocalyptic world to have a fresh haircut. Characters like Rick Grimes and Steve Harrington are examples of TV personalities who dramatically changed their appearance over the course of their shows.

Rick Grimes

The Walking Dead

Over time, the characters in The Walking Dead all looked quite different, mostly because they didn’t have access to things like haircuts or shaving supplies. Carl let his hair grow long and always wore his dad’s sheriff’s hat. Judith grew up into a tough fighter, even carrying a small katana. But Rick Grimes, the main character, changed the most of all.

I remember when we first met Rick in the pilot – he was pretty clean-cut, actually. A little scruffy from being in a coma, sure, but he’d clearly made an effort to look presentable with a neat haircut and even a shave before setting off to find Lori and Carl in Atlanta. But once they left that initial camp and really started traveling through the post-apocalyptic world, he just…let it grow. It was a subtle change, but it really signaled a shift in his character, you know? He was shedding that ‘normal life’ look.

During the first few seasons of the show, Rick developed a long beard and hair. After the group found safety in Alexandria, with access to things like running water and electricity, he was able to clean up his appearance. However, as the series continued, he let his beard and hair grow out again. By the time Andrew Lincoln departed the show, Rick had a full, gray beard.

Sansa Stark

Game Of Thrones

As a huge fan, I always thought Sophie Turner looked pretty consistent throughout Game of Thrones, but her character, Sansa Stark, went through an amazing change! At the beginning, Sansa was this bright, innocent girl, and her colorful clothes really showed that. But by the end, she’d been through so much, and it totally came across in her look – she was wearing darker, more serious clothes, which really showed how much she’d changed and how tough she’d become.

Steve Harrington

Stranger Things

As a big fan of Stranger Things, it was wild seeing how much the young cast grew up! Seriously, they practically aged a decade between the first and last seasons. They started as kids, and by the end, they were all adults. But even with all that change, it was cool how they still felt like the same characters, you know? Their core look didn’t really change, even as they did.

Throughout the show, Eleven experimented with different hairstyles, but she ultimately returned to her short-haired look from the beginning in the final episode, creating a sense of completion. Steve Harrington was the only character who significantly changed his appearance, and this reflected his development as a person. In the first season, Steve was a classic ’80s bully, and his clothes—like his perfectly styled hair and letterman jacket—showed that.

Throughout the show, Steve transformed from a typical bully into a caring and protective figure for the kids, particularly Dustin. As he took on a more parental role within the group, his personality and style became more down-to-earth and less showy, mirroring his own character development.

Michael Scott

The Office

The creators of The Office intentionally styled Michael Scott to look less appealing in the first season, using things like dark circles under his eyes and overly-slicked hair. Steve Carell naturally comes across as warm and friendly, which didn’t quite fit with the original, harsher version of Michael. Early on, Michael was much more closely based on the British version of the character, David Brent, who was consistently portrayed as clumsy, pitiful, and disliked by everyone around him.

The first season of the show received mixed reactions, so the writers realized they needed to change their approach. Viewers weren’t enjoying a character who was the butt of every joke; they wanted someone to support. The writers began portraying Michael’s coworkers as kinder and more supportive, which in turn made Michael himself seem more likable. This allowed Steve Carell’s natural charm and warmth to come through.

Michael’s transformation continued throughout the show. Though Steve Carell left after season 7, he made a memorable return in the finale to show us what life was like with Holly. For that final appearance, the makeup team cleverly aged Carell with gray hair and a more mature, dignified look.

Chloe O’Brian

24

I remember when Chloe O’Brian first appeared on 24. She was presented as the classic, no-nonsense data analyst – totally practical clothes, the kind you’d expect someone to wear while chained to a computer all day and night. But as the show progressed and she became Jack Bauer’s right hand, something interesting happened with her look. They really started to define a style for her, and it shifted towards that edgy, almost goth hacker vibe – think Lisbeth Salander. It was a smart move, really, giving her a distinct visual identity.

Jesse Pinkman

Breaking Bad

Throughout Breaking Bad, both Walter White and Jesse Pinkman underwent significant physical transformations. The series covers roughly two years, a period of immense change for both characters. Notably, Walt received a cancer diagnosis at the start of the show and experienced hair loss due to chemotherapy.

I always noticed how Walt changed his appearance while he was on the run – he went from a mustache to a goatee, then let his hair grow out and sported a full beard. But even with all that, it was still clearly him underneath it all. Jesse, though? He really transformed by the end of the show. He wasn’t the same person at all.

As a huge fan of Breaking Bad, I always found Jesse Pinkman’s transformation so compelling. Over the five seasons, you really see him grow up – and not in a good way, necessarily. He starts as this pretty lost kid, but with everything he goes through – all the trauma – he changes completely. It wasn’t just his personality; his whole look evolved too. His clothes, his hair, even his face became more weathered and hardened, especially after that awful time he was forced to cook meth. It really showed his journey from boy to man, but a really damaged one.

Bran Stark

Game Of Thrones

Sansa wasn’t the only character on Game of Thrones to change dramatically. Her brother, Bran, underwent a huge transformation as well. Isaac Hempstead Wright, the actor who played him, grew up during the show’s run. And as Bran gained wisdom, his character’s demeanor changed completely.

Rickety Cricket

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Rickety Cricket’s physical and personal decline is one of the most dramatic transformations ever seen on television. Initially, he appeared as a dignified Catholic priest investigating a fake miracle at Paddy’s Pub. However, after his high school crush, Sweet Dee, persuaded him to leave the priesthood, his life quickly spiraled downward.

After losing his connection to the church, Cricket ended up living on the streets. During this time, he struggled with drug use on and off, experienced a touching relationship with a stray dog, and suffered severe burns to his face. Each time we see Cricket, he’s faced another terrible physical hardship – it’s become a darkly humorous, recurring element in his story.

Cricket isn’t the only character on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to experience a big change. Mac famously gained weight for a season, then got into incredible shape the next. However, no one has changed quite as dramatically as Cricket. Hopefully, we haven’t seen the last of him, and he’ll return in future episodes, though it’s hard to imagine things getting any harder for him.

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2026-03-23 05:30