My Super Simple Super Helpful Character Arc Template
hi, if anyone is struggling with writing a clear character arc, i made this Hero’s Journey/Three Act Structure hybrid based on Andor, which i think is one of the best written shows out there. so MAJOR spoilers for Andor if you haven’t seen it but hope this is helpful!
*note: each arc may look like it’s a different length, but certain beats can be longer or shorter or blended together depending on your narrative. in Andor, every arc winds up balancing out to the same length.
Arc 1 - The Ordinary World (Ferrix pt 1)
1. Hook - Introduction to who the protagonist is
What do they want, why do they think they can’t have it (connected to what they’re afraid of) and what are they going after instead? This can be presented throughout the next few beats as well, but know the answer to these questions before you start writing.
Cassian is looking for his missing sister, which tells us that he’s afraid of losing the people he cares about. He finds nothing and leaves, which shows us that he thinks losing his loved ones is inevitable. Later in the episode, we get the sense from his community that Cassian is rarely around. He runs away so he doesn’t have to deal with the possibility of losing his loved ones. He thinks he’s content gallivanting across the galaxy and stealing crap from the Empire.
2. Inciting Incident - Something pushes the protagonist outside their comfort zone
And it forces them to start pursuing a new, fear-based goal.
Backed into a corner, Cassian kills two cops, and once he gets back to his home planet, he starts creating alibis and trying to sell stolen goods so he can get out of there.
3. Refusal of the Call - Protagonist is presented with an offer
that could give them what they truly want, disguised as something they think they want, but they’ll have to do something they’re afraid of. They refuse.
Luthen offers Cassian a job off-world. It will solve his current problem, but the job involves fighting against the Empire, something Cassian truly wants deep down, but believes is impossible without serious losses. It’s not worth it to him, so he refuses.
4. First Plot Point - Protagonist has no choice
but to accept the offer, setting them off on their new adventure.
As Corporate Sector Authority closes in on Cassian, he has no way out except to go with Luthen. In the chaos of his escape, we see how he has left his loved ones to deal with the consequences.
Arc 2 - The Initiation (Aldhani)
5. Trials - Introduction to a new world (figuratively speaking)
How is the protagonist reacting to this new situation based on their desires and fears, and especially misbelief? In this beat, the protagonist gains some wisdom but ultimately runs back to their comfort zone when they get the chance. This is where you can explore more of your overarching plot that doesn’t revolve directly around your character, and you have some freedom to come up with a situation that creates this reaction.
Cassian approaches the Aldhani Heist with cynicism, since he believes fighting the Empire is a pipe dream. He tells himself and everyone else that he’s here for the money, but we can see seeds of his desire to actually change things. The Aldhani heist is a success, and Cassian sees that it is possible to piss off the Empire, but he’s still uncomfortable with the harsh losses that come with it, so he runs off to party on Niamos.
Arc 3 - The Glimmer (Narkina 5)
6. Plot Twist - Something completely unexpected knocks the protagonist off course
And it takes away their option to go back to their comfort zone
The Empire arrests Cassian for “looking suspicious” and throws him into an extremely cruel prison called Narkina 5. Cassian is determined to get out and, after his success on Aldhani, is willing to fight for it. He knows he doesn’t have much of a choice. The Empire will let him die in there.
7. Supposed Victory - Protagonist overcomes the plot twist
They’re feeling confident and ready to go back to their comfort zone
After wrecking Narkina 5 and escaping with hundreds of other prisoners, Cassian is feeling on top of the world. He doesn’t know what his future holds, but for now he expects success.
8. Disaster - the last and worst thing the protagonist expected to happen happens
And they realize that most or at least part of it is their fault
Cassian’s mom dies and he realizes that his fear of loss and desire for self-preservation led him to leave behind the people he cares about most.
Arc 4 - The Final Confrontation (Ferrix pt 2)
9. Aha Moment - Every lesson the protagonist has learned in their journey has built up to this moment
They realize the belief that has been guiding them this whole time has been wrong.
Cassian’s journey has led him to see how his self-preservation has made things worse instead of better, but he has also seen the power of selflessness and realizes that creating a better future for others (saving them, so to speak) is both possible and more important than protecting himself.
10. The Ultimate Choice - Protagonist has to make a decision
And it will change the course of their future. Will they do the right thing and face their fear?
Cassian has nothing else but his mother’s final words to him, relayed by his best friend: “I love him more than anything he could ever do wrong” and her faith in him gives him faith in himself. We don’t see his decision presented until the very end for narrative purposes, but this is the moment he decides he’s fully committed to Luthen’s cause: “Kill me or take me in.”
11. Climax - Protagonist faces their fear
At this point, all other surrounding plot points also reach their peak.
At Maarva’s funeral, the people of Ferrix revolt against the Empire. Chaos ensues, but it’s the spark that was needed. Cassian, rather than running away, rescues Bix instead of abandoning her like he did in the earlier arcs, showing that he’s committed to the preservation of others rather than himself.
12. Resolution - Tying up any loose ends
Teasing what could happen in the future, but still giving a concrete, satisfying ending.
Cassian, Bix, Wilmon, Brasso, and B2EMO escape Ferrix and Cassian, now with renewed faith in the cause or at least that he can make some change for someone else, shows Luthen he wants to keep fighting the Empire.
Hope that helps! I’ll definitely be coming back to this for reference later <3
