Definition
The deuteragonist (from the Greek 'deuteros' meaning second and 'agonistes' meaning actor) is the character who holds the second-most narrative weight in a story. Unlike a simple sidekick or supporting character, the deuteragonist has their own goals, conflicts, and arc that run parallel to or intersect with the protagonist's story. They often serve as a foil, ally, rival, or love interest - sometimes all at once. In ancient Greek theater, the deuteragonist was literally the second actor added to plays, expanding storytelling beyond a single performer.
Why It Matters
Understanding the deuteragonist role helps you build stories with real depth. When your second-most-important character has genuine agency and their own narrative thread, your story stops being a solo performance and becomes a conversation between perspectives. The deuteragonist can carry subplots, challenge the protagonist's assumptions, and provide readers with a different emotional entry point into your themes.
Types of Deuteragonist
Famous Examples
Zuko is perhaps the definitive deuteragonist - his redemption arc is so compelling that many fans consider it more interesting than Aang's main storyline.
Depending on the book, either Ron or Hermione functions as the deuteragonist, but Hermione's growing arc across the series gives her the strongest claim to the role.
Laila serves as deuteragonist to Mariam, with their dual perspectives weaving together to tell a story larger than either character could carry alone.
Nick Carraway is both narrator and deuteragonist, and Gatsby is arguably the protagonist viewed entirely through Nick's transforming perspective.
Common Mistakes
Keep checking whose story this ultimately is. The deuteragonist should enrich the protagonist's arc, not replace it.
If your second character doesn't change, want things for themselves, or face their own dilemmas, they're a sidekick, not a deuteragonist. Decide which role you actually need.
The deuteragonist should explore your story's themes from a different angle. Their arc should resonate with the protagonist's, even if they reach different conclusions.
Try It Yourself
Identify the deuteragonist in a story you're working on (or pick a favorite book). Write a one-page outline of their arc from their own perspective, as if they were the protagonist of their own story. Note where their arc intersects with the main character's and where it diverges. This should take about 15 minutes.
Track how your deuteragonist's arc weaves through your protagonist's story with visual timeline mapping.