A deep dive into Franklin, Michael, and Trevor's relationship: Who was the main character?

Rockstar Games gave us three protagonists in Grand Theft Auto V, each with their own backstory, ambitions, and chaos-inducing tendencies. Franklin wants to climb the criminal ladder. Michael’s living in a midlife crisis. Trevor? He’s… well, he’s the psychotic wildcard. But out of the trio, who was truly the main character?


Franklin: The Protégé or Just a Sidekick?Franklin Clinton starts as a small-time repo man, hustling in Los Santos, trying to escape the hood life. He’s young, ambitious, and probably the most level-headed of the three. His arc is the closest to a traditional GTA protagonist—an underdog who works his way up the criminal food chain.

But here’s the catch: Franklin often feels like a sidekick in his own story. He gets mentored (or manipulated) by Michael, dragged into chaos by Trevor, and rarely takes control of the narrative. While he’s the most player-like character, his journey lacks the personal weight of the others.
Michael: The Hollywood-Wannabe CriminalMichael’s got it all—money, a mansion, a dysfunctional family, and a past he can't shake. He’s basically GTA V’s version of Tony Soprano, torn between retirement and the thrill of crime. He’s the narrative glue—without him, Franklin wouldn’t enter the world of big-time heists, and Trevor wouldn’t come back into the picture.

His past (betrayal, witness protection, old enemies) drives most of the main story. He’s the most fleshed-out character, but does that make him the true lead? Maybe. But he’s also just a man stuck in his own mess.


Trevor: The Unpredictable LunaticTrevor Phillips is the embodiment of GTA’s insanity. He’s unpredictable, terrifying, and somehow… strangely lovable? He’s the wildcard that keeps the game interesting, the glue (or explosive) that holds the trio together.

But here’s the twist—while Trevor is iconic, he’s more of a force of nature than a protagonist. He exists to disrupt, not develop. His story is compelling, sure, but it’s mostly tied to Michael’s past. Without Michael, Trevor’s just a violent lunatic with a business empire made of bad decisions.
So, Who’s the Real Main Character?If you had to pick one, Michael feels like the main character simply because the game revolves around his decisions the most. The story kicks off because of him. His past drives the conflict. His relationships with Franklin and Trevor shape the game’s most important moments.

That being said, Franklin is the most player-driven character—he makes the big choices, including the final one. And Trevor? He’s the chaotic heartbeat of the game.

But in the end, GTA V isn’t about one protagonist—it’s about three flawed, brilliant, and completely messed-up people, bound together by crime, greed, and sheer chaos. And honestly? That’s what makes it legendary.