Because you like Chakotay in Star Trek Voyager
There's nothing like discovering dear old dad is a serial killer to send you into an (understandable) funk. See them in Hannibal.
As a monster-hunter cursed with supernatural abilities, Geralt of Rivia is a cynic burdened by scruples in an unscrupulous world. See them in The Witcher.
For Sly Cooper, stealing isn't just about the haul. It's also about the journey. See them in Sly Cooper.
Fox McCloud leads a team of pilots through the Lylat System in search of the evil genius Andross, the villain that killed his father. See them in Star Fox.
Catherine Linton was once spontaneous and rowdy but ever since marrying the wealthy Edgar, she has morphed into a boiling pot of emotional outbursts. See them in Wuthering Heights.
Hans Landa doesn't seem to have issues with Jews, but he hunts them because he's determined to do his job well. See them in Inglourious Basterds.
Underneath his preening narcissist exterior, Schmidt is, well, still kind of a preening narcissist. But he has a good heart too. See them in New Girl.
Others see him as the town nutcase, but Flint Lockwood knows his inventions will change the world someday. See them in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Jasmine dreams of something more than palace life, and she's not afraid to go get it. See them in Aladdin.
Emma Woodhouse knows what's best for everyone else. Just don't try to tell her what to do. See them in Emma.
Harry Mason has been told that he worries too much, that he's a little paranoid. But he just wants to protect what he loves. See them in Silent Hill.
