Jennifer Lewis | Characters you love to hate

I like to blame it on the popularity of evening soap operas during my formative years, but I just adore villainous but intriguing characters. Texas Oil baron J.R. Ewing from Dallas was one of the most hated characters on television—but he was also the reason millions of people tuned in religiously for more than ten years. His cold-blooded, scheming character was originally supposed to be a small part, but he was such a hit with viewers that it wasn’t long before the whole show revolved around him. Anyone alive at the time will surely remember the angst and intrigue over the burning question: Who shot J.R.?

I’ve always wanted to write one of these odious yet absorbing characters, and with my new Hardcastle Progeny series, I finally have. The three book series revolves around billionaire tycoon Tarrant Hardcastle and his attempts to find an heir for his glittering Manhattan retail empire—by tracking down the illegitimate sons he once scorned.

Tarrant is not a nice guy.

Dominic DiBari, the hero of my first novel Millionaire’s Secret Seduction has learned that Tarrant seduced his mother on the dance floor at Studio 54 then dumped her when she became pregnant. When she sued for paternity, he got the case thrown out. Now, Tarrant suddenly needs an heir, and his successful and handsome son seems perfect for the role.

Dominic is disgusted by the man who betrayed his mother, but as he gets to know Tarrant, he finds himself being drawn in by his father’s famous charisma. Since he’s having a steamy affair with a woman who’s trying to steal files from Tarrant, this leads him to a crisis of conscience that makes for plenty of drama and excitement.

As a writer I have to wonder if readers will react to my characters the way I hope, so I was a little nervous about whether people would find Tarrant intriguing as well as obnoxious. I know at least one reader did, when a reviewer wrote, “…I have to admit to a fascination with Tarrant himself. His regret for how he’s lived his life and attempts at making amends is endearing – and long overdue.”

A striking insight into character creation came to me when I read an interview some years ago with British actor Sean Bean. While he’s probably now best known as Boromir from Lord of the Rings, over the years he’s played some of the most dastardly villains ever, including a menacing Bond nemesis in Goldeneye. He revealed that he prepares for a villainous role by looking deep into the character’s motivation for something sympathetic to identify with. This allows his rogues to always show a glimpse of humanity, which makes them real and riveting in a way that someone who’s simply ‘pure evil’ could never be.

Throughout my Hardcastle Progeny series Tarrant is overwhelmed by the unexpected emotion he feels at meeting the brilliant and successful young men he’s sired: Dominic in Millionaire’s Secret Seduction, Argentine vintner Amado Alvarez in In the Argentine’s Bed, and New Orleans restauranteur Louis Dulac in The Heir’s Scandalous Affair. In experiencing deep affection for the first time, he changes and softens. In the first two books I had to keep a delicate balance between showing Tarrant’s growth as a human being, and keeping his cold, calculating edge, because I knew he was going to die by the third book. He’s already terminally ill in the first book, so it’s no surprise, but I didn’t want readers to be so attached to him that they’d be upset when he finally met his maker. I hope I managed to make Tarrant endearing enough to be sympathetic, but not so adorable that you’ll be furious with me for killing him off!

Is there a character from books, movies or television (or even real life) who you love to hate?

Jen
www.jenlewis.com