What is a Stock Character?

When you sit down to develop a character, there's a whole bunch of types you can go through, such as hand archetypes, as a jumping-off point. One of the ways I like to look at who I'm putting in my movies and TV shows is via a stock character. But what is a stock character, and how do they fit into storytelling? Today, we'll go over the definition, examples, and how writers use them. Let's dive in. Stock Character DefinitionStock characters are stereotypical characters that are instantly recognizable to the audience. These characters fill specific roles within the story and often adhere to conventional character traits. What Are Some Kinds of Stock Characters?In order to understand stock characters, you have to look at the kinds of characters we're talking about. I divided them into a few subcategories below. this is not an exhaustive list, just enough to get your brain working. Heroes: The Action Hero: Think of characters like John McClane (Die Hard) or Ethan Hunt (Mission: Impossible). They're tough, skilled, and ready for a fight. The Girl/Boy Next Door: These are the wholesome, relatable characters, often the romantic interest. The Reluctant Hero: Characters like Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit) or Shrek, are thrust into heroic roles against their will. The Mentor: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars) or Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid) are classic examples, providing guidance to the protagonist. Villains: The Evil King: Darth Vader (Star Wars) or Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter) represent this archetype. They want power and will use violence to get it. The Femme Fatale: These are seductive women, who can manipulate those around them. Think Phyllis in Double Indemnity. Supporting Characters: The Sidekick: Characters like Ron Weasley (Harry Potter) or Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings), are loyal companions to the protagonist. The Jock: The athletic, often arrogant character found in many high school movies or TV shows, like Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights. The Nerd: The intelligent, socially awkward character, often provides comic relief. Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory works here. The Damsel in Distress: This is the character that is in need of rescue. Lots of ways to subvert this one, like they do with Princess Leia in Star Wars. Why Writers Use Stock Characters Now that you understand the idea of stock characters, let's talk about why a writer would use them. It's pretty simple, you want to slide someone into a role the audience understands and put your own spin on it. Writers often use stock characters as a foundation to build upon or subvert expectations, adding their unique twists and nuances to make them more compelling and engaging.And when you get your own voice onto the page, that's what makes it special. Stock Character ExamplesLet's look at a few examples of how writers have put their own spin on some stock characters in movies and TV shows. The Protagonist: The Classic Hero: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars): The archetypal hero's journey. Indiana Jones: The adventurous, swashbuckling hero. The Reluctant Hero: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit): An ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances. The Antagonist: Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs): A brilliant but deeply disturbed serial killer. Patrick Bateman (American Psycho): a very disturbed and wealthy man, whose life is filled with violence. The Femme Fatale: Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct): The seductive and dangerous woman. The Sidekick: Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes): the close companion to the main character.Chewbacca (Star Wars): A loyal and powerful Wookiee. The Mentor: Master Shifu (Kung Fu Panda): He pushes Po to his limits but ultimately believes in him.Commander Riker (Star Trek: Picard): He provides guidance with a mix of experience and directness.The Everyman:Homer Simpson (The Simpsons): A goofy but seemingly ordinary, relatable person.The Final Girl:Laurie Strode (Halloween): The last woman standing in a horror film.Summing Up What is a Stock Character This is a pretty deep dive into stock characters, and hopefully, you understand them a little bit more now. When you branch out in your own writing, these stock characters can help you come to grips with your story and find your way. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Mar 10, 2025 - 19:51

When you sit down to develop a character, there's a whole bunch of types you can go through, such as hand archetypes, as a jumping-off point.

One of the ways I like to look at who I'm putting in my movies and TV shows is via a stock character.

But what is a stock character, and how do they fit into storytelling? Today, we'll go over the definition, examples, and how writers use them.

Let's dive in.

Stock Character Definition

Stock characters are stereotypical characters that are instantly recognizable to the audience. These characters fill specific roles within the story and often adhere to conventional character traits.

What Are Some Kinds of Stock Characters?

In order to understand stock characters, you have to look at the kinds of characters we're talking about.

I divided them into a few subcategories below. this is not an exhaustive list, just enough to get your brain working.

Heroes:

The Action Hero:
- Think of characters like John McClane (Die Hard) or Ethan Hunt (Mission: Impossible). They're tough, skilled, and ready for a fight.
The Girl/Boy Next Door:
- These are the wholesome, relatable characters, often the romantic interest.
The Reluctant Hero:
- Characters like Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit) or Shrek, are thrust into heroic roles against their will.
The Mentor:
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars) or Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid) are classic examples, providing guidance to the protagonist.

Villains:

The Evil King:
- Darth Vader (Star Wars) or Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter) represent this archetype. They want power and will use violence to get it.
The Femme Fatale:
- These are seductive women, who can manipulate those around them. Think Phyllis in Double Indemnity.

Supporting Characters:

The Sidekick:
- Characters like Ron Weasley (Harry Potter) or Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings), are loyal companions to the protagonist.
The Jock:
- The athletic, often arrogant character found in many high school movies or TV shows, like Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights.
The Nerd:
- The intelligent, socially awkward character, often provides comic relief. Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory works here.
The Damsel in Distress:
- This is the character that is in need of rescue. Lots of ways to subvert this one, like they do with Princess Leia in Star Wars.

Why Writers Use Stock Characters

Now that you understand the idea of stock characters, let's talk about why a writer would use them. It's pretty simple, you want to slide someone into a role the audience understands and put your own spin on it.

Writers often use stock characters as a foundation to build upon or subvert expectations, adding their unique twists and nuances to make them more compelling and engaging.

And when you get your own voice onto the page, that's what makes it special.

Stock Character Examples

Let's look at a few examples of how writers have put their own spin on some stock characters in movies and TV shows.

The Protagonist:

The Classic Hero:
- Luke Skywalker (Star Wars): The archetypal hero's journey.
- Indiana Jones: The adventurous, swashbuckling hero.
The Reluctant Hero:
- Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit): An ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

The Antagonist:

- Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs): A brilliant but deeply disturbed serial killer.
- Patrick Bateman (American Psycho): a very disturbed and wealthy man, whose life is filled with violence.
The Femme Fatale:
- Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct): The seductive and dangerous woman.

The Sidekick:

- Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes): the close companion to the main character.
- Chewbacca (Star Wars): A loyal and powerful Wookiee.

The Mentor:

Master Shifu (Kung Fu Panda): He pushes Po to his limits but ultimately believes in him.
Commander Riker (Star Trek: Picard): He provides guidance with a mix of experience and directness.