Macon Ravenwood

To Gatlin, Macon is a legend: the man shut away in an old mansion whom no one ever sees in town. The rumors range from hidden money to a deal with the devil. When Ethan starts coming around for Lena, Macon greets him with polite chill. He warns the boy he is getting into something he doesn't understand. Macon talks like an old Southern gentleman, but every line sounds like a threat.

Macon knows about the Duchannes curse and what awaits Lena at 16. He tries to keep Lena away from Ethan and makes no secret of his fear of losing her to the Dark. The movie never explains what kind of power he has, only that it is strong. To Lena he is uncle, father and jailer at once, and they fight as much as they love each other.

When Ridley shows up at Ravenwood, Macon confronts her. He won't let his Dark niece charm anyone under his roof. He knows Sarafine, Lena's mother, is behind the cousin and will turn the town against her daughter. He also knows much of the family wants Lena on the dark side.

When Mrs. Lincoln rallies the town to get Lena kicked out of school, Macon shows up in public, which he rarely does. With few words and plenty of irony, he defends his niece against the people who want her gone. Macon despises Gatlin's hypocrisy and doesn't bother hiding it. He looks out for Ethan too, in his own way, because he knows what the boy means to Lena. Still, he knows the real threat is bigger than a few neighbors: the pressure comes from the family's dark side, and Lena's birthday is close.

To break the curse, someone Lena loves has to die. At the Civil War reenactment, Ethan seems to die, but it is Macon, disguised as him, who falls. No one notices the swap until it is too late. Before he dies, Macon tells Lena to claim herself. His sacrifice saves Ethan and gives Lena the chance to escape the Dark. The man everyone feared dies protecting his family.

Jeremy Irons plays the role. In the books, Macon is also a recluse at Ravenwood who holds many of Gatlin's secrets.