For this week’s Saturday Reads, I’m switching it up a bit. Instead of diving into a book, I want to discuss a show I’ve been watching that has sparked some deep thoughts on character development—particularly when it comes to morally gray and complex characters. That show is Agatha All Along, and Agatha’s character has completely captivated me.

Agatha is the epitome of a morally gray character. She’s powerful, cunning, and far from perfect. Trapped in Wanda’s vision, she creates a persona that is so far removed from her own truth that she struggles to find herself again. It’s not until she’s forced to confront who she really is that she starts to piece together her own reality. I found this struggle incredibly relatable—not only as a viewer but as a writer, particularly when I think about my character, Bianca, in Under The Flamboyant Tree.

Bianca: An Imperfect Mother Fighting Against Her Truth

Bianca is, in many ways, similar to Agatha. She’s an imperfect mother, shaped by years of self-preservation and decisions that—while necessary at the time—left deep scars on her and her daughter. In Under The Flamboyant Tree, Bianca battles with guilt over the choices she made to save herself, choices that might have come at a great cost to her daughter. But instead of confronting this guilt head-on, she pushes it away, avoiding the trauma that follows her.

Throughout the novel, Bianca continuously deflects every proof that points to her involvement in the negative impacts on her daughter’s life. Like Agatha, she’s created a vision of herself that’s easier to live with, even if it’s not entirely rooted in the truth. It takes a long time for Bianca to even consider confronting the person she’s become—and that’s what makes her such a compelling, morally gray character.

Parallels Between Agatha and Bianca

Both Agatha and Bianca are trapped in worlds of their own making, worlds designed to shield them from uncomfortable truths. Agatha, stuck in Wanda’s vision, reshapes herself into someone who can survive within that reality, even if it means losing sight of who she is. Bianca, on the other hand, is trapped in the stories she tells herself—stories that help her justify her past decisions but distance her from the truth of her trauma.

What makes these characters so relatable—and what draws me to them as a writer—is their imperfection. They are not heroes, but they’re not villains either. They’re just people, deeply flawed and battling their inner demons, sometimes making choices they regret but still trying to move forward.

Why Morally Gray Characters Matter

For me, morally gray characters like Agatha and Bianca are crucial because they reflect real life. None of us are perfect; we all have moments where we make questionable decisions, where we choose self-preservation over the wellbeing of others, and where we avoid confronting hard truths. And it’s in these imperfect moments that real growth can happen.

Watching Agatha’s journey unfold on Agatha All Along made me reflect on how I’ve written Bianca. Both women are powerful, yet their strength is tempered by their refusal to face the deeper truths about themselves. Writing Bianca’s story has been about peeling back those layers, forcing her to confront her past, her choices, and the person she’s become as a result. Like Agatha, it takes her a while to get there, but once she does, the path to healing begins.

If you love stories about complex, flawed women who are far from perfect but deeply relatable, then you’ll see a lot of Agatha in Bianca’s story. And if you’re like me—fascinated by the shades of gray in characters—I highly recommend watching Agatha All Along. It’s been an incredible source of inspiration for how I approach writing complex, layered characters who may not always make the right choice but are still worth rooting for.