Writing the Antihero: Flawed Protagonists We Love to Root For

Learn from a prolific film and television writer and producer who has worked with HBO, NBC, CBS, Universal Television, FOX!

Receive script samples, antihero brainstorming tools, and a cheat sheet to build your most unforgettable flawed protagonist yet!

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

Why are some of the most unforgettable movies and TV shows centered around the antihero? What is it about characters who bend the rules—or break them entirely—that makes them so fun to root for? In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, we’ll dive into what makes flawed protagonists tick and why they resonate with global audiences. From sharp writing to powerful emotional cores, you’ll learn how to create an antihero that keeps viewers hooked.

It’s easy to confuse a compelling antihero with someone who’s simply unlikable—or even just a villain. Many creatives struggle to balance flaw with empathy, making their protagonists too cold, too confusing, or too weak. In this webinar, we’ll look at the common traps writers fall into, including the mistake of writing a character’s flaws without anchoring them to a deeper humanity. You’ll learn how to avoid those pitfalls and shape a protagonist who’s both watchable and unforgettable.

Your host, Brian Herskowitz is an accomplished writer and producer whose decades-long career spans film and television. With credits on projects for FOX, HBO, NBC, CBS, and Universal Television, Brian brings a wealth of industry insight and hands-on experience. He’s worked with talent like Jason Alexander and Michael Welch, and he’s passionate about helping writers develop the kinds of characters that stick with an audience long after the credits roll.

In this webinar, you’ll explore the full landscape of writing antiheroes, including how to define your character’s flaws, how to make them emotionally engaging, and how to build their moral compass in a way that resonates with your audience. Brian will walk you through what separates a good bad guy from just a bad guy, how to craft an antihero’s strengths and weaknesses, and when to lean into likability versus watchability. You’ll also learn to identify different types of antiheroes and apply brainstorming techniques to elevate your story. Whether you’re just starting or revising a draft, this session will give you real tools to bring your flawed protagonist to life.

PLUS! You will receive the following handouts to help you:

• TV & Film Script Samples

• Types of Antihero Cheat Sheet

• Antihero Brainstorming Tools Cheat Sheet
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Praise for Brian’s previous work with Stage 32: 

"As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course."

- Jason Alexander(Seinfeld, Shallow Hal, Listen Up)

"The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course."

 "Mr. Herskowitz  is very knowledgeable, patient,  and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them."

"A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over."