päähenkilöinä

Päähenkilöinä is a Finnish term used in literature, film, television, and interactive media to indicate that the central action revolves around two or more protagonists. The singular form päähenkilö refers to one main character, while päähenkilöinä signals that there are multiple central figures. The term is applied to describe the primary figures whose goals, choices and development most strongly shape the plot.

Works described as having multiple main characters typically employ ensemble casting or multi-protagonist structures. The narrative may alternate between protagonists, present interwoven storylines, or place emphasis on different characters in different chapters or scenes. This allows diverse perspectives, moral complexity, and a broader thematic scope, but can also demand more complex pacing and coordination to maintain coherence.

Characterization of päähenkilöinä tends to include sustained focus on their goals, conflicts, and relationships. They are usually central to the inciting incident, major turning points, and the resolution, while sivuhenkilöitä (supporting characters) and antagonist roles provide context, obstacles, or contrast. The choice to present a story with multiple main characters influences narration, audience alignment, and how empathy and identification are distributed among readers or viewers.