History Main / Turncoat

Not to be confused with ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' novel ''Literature/TurnCoat''.

* Melchior in ''Film/SodomAndGomorrah'' is already a self-serving schemer before he and his fellow Hebrews reach the title cities, but he completely turns traitor after first directing Prince Astaroth in his aggressive pursuit of Lot's daughter Shuah, then willingly joins the Sodomites and passes on intel about the Hebrews' defences against a possible attack by the Elamites (who are in league with Astaroth).

If they're discovered to have been bad the whole time, they're TheMole. If they're a bad guy who's been secretly ''good'', they're the ReverseMole. If they're faking their switch, they're a FakeDefector or HeelFaceMole. If they switch back and forth, they're going through the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor.

* ''Fanfic/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality'': Quirrell's school armies start allowing these a few games in. The idea of being a spy is sufficiently appealing that it ''very'' quickly devolves into absolute chaos, and the armies turn into three [[FlockOfWolves flocks of wolves]] -- Draco and Hermione struggle to keep their armies in line, while Harry thrives. This turns out to be Quirrell's setup for a ''very'' FamilyUnfriendlyAesop of "fascism is good, actually". [[spoiler:Of course, he is Voldemort, so we're not actually meant to ''agree'' with him.]]

* Iago in ''Disney/AladdinTheReturnOfJafar'', which gets a LampshadeHanging in ''WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse'' where DependingOnTheWriter, Iago is either Jafar's henchman or Aladdin's sidekick.

* Cypher, in ''Film/TheMatrix''.

* ''WebVideo/SurvivalOfTheFittest'': Julie Mikan, who started off Heel did a HeelFaceTurn [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor then managed another]] FaceHeelTurn.

It's interesting to note the origins of the phrase "turn coat". Back in the day (we're talking horse and musket age) soldiers defecting to the other side would turn their coats around so the liner would face the outside, to indicate they were not a soldier of the enemy. Of course, one only did this when you were far enough away from your own lines...

!!Examples

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

[[folder: Comic Books]]

[[folder: Fan Works]]
* The 4th ''FanFic/TouhouM1GrandPrix'' had Utsuho, Orin, Satori & Koishi swap partners.

[[folder:Film]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

-->'''Skinner:''' I always played it safe. I wouldn't take sides. Wouldn't let you and Mulder... pull me in.
-->'''Scully:''' You've been our ally more times than I can say.
-->'''Skinner:''' Not the kind of ally that I could have been.
---> ''(several scenes later)''
-->'''Skinner:''' So you still think this is about you? About the X-Files?
-->'''Mulder:''' Yes. Yes, I do. And I have an idea who may be behind all this. But I'd need your authority to continue the investigation.
-->'''Skinner:''' I have neither the authority nor the will to allow your continued inquiry into this matter. You'll perform your duties as directed by AD Kersh and only AD Kersh.
--->''(Mulder and Scully stare at Skinner in surprise.)''
-->'''Scully:''' Sir?
-->'''Skinner:''' This matter's closed, Agents. Am I clear?
* In ''Series/{{Lost}}'', Juliet [[HeelFaceTurn turned good]] while [[spoiler: Michael]] [[FaceHeelTurn turned bad]] [[HeroicSacrifice and then good again]].

* In the final episode of ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', the Cardassian ships turn on their Dominion allies and aid the Federation Alliance fleet. Though the fact that one of their major cities on their homeworld had been wiped from the face of the planet might have had something to do with it. Gul Dukat fits this trope alone, when he realises that the military is going to be overthrown he switches to back the civilians ("Way of the Warrior")

[[folder: Web Original]]

* Happens in JohnLeCarre, along with [[TheMole moles]], with regularity, since that's the whole point of having agents and double agents. As one character put it:

* Justin Law in ''Manga/SoulEater''. Appears to be working for the antagonists (of which there are a few groups), specifically Noah, with a view to uncovering the Kishin. Now, technically, this was what Shinigami ''asked'' him to do (drive Asura out of hiding by making his presence known). But his methods might not go down too well. If this is a ploy, he's [[LovesTheSoundOfScreaming really]] [[MadnessMakeover getting]] into [[SlasherSmile it]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', Azula joins forces with the imprisoned Long Feng and takes control of his [[SecretPolice Dai Li agents]] to capture the Avatar, overthrow the king, and free Long Feng from prison. Once the Earth Kingdom is under their control, Long Feng wants to dump her and rule by himself. However, during the time of her leadership, the Dai Li have come to greatly appreciate the ability and ruthlessness of Azula, so they just ignore his order to capture her, waiting for them to prove who is more worthy of their loyalty.

* Tharja, from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', is a Plegian Dark Mage who finds herself disillusioned with her home nation and can join up with the Shepherds if Chrom talks to her.

* ''ConanTheBarbarian'':

Not to be confused with ''[[Literature/TheDresdenFiles Turn Coat]]''.

* ''XiaolinShowdown'': Raimundo once [[FaceHeelTurn betrayed his friends]] and joined Wuya. He later [[HeelFaceTurn returned to them]]. Omi would later join Chase Young but that was justified by a Wu's effect. Raimundo also joined forces with Hannibal Roy Bean but in that case, he was just a FakeDefector.
* ''JackieChanAdventures'': Tohru's HeelFaceTurn at the end of Season 1.

* ''{{Beyblade}}'': Kai Hiwatari switches sides ''six times''. First, he's part of the antagonistic Blade Sharks. Then he joins the Bladebreakers (first switch). Then he switches sides and joins the Demolition Boys (a FaceHeelTurn, and switch #2). Then he switches sides ''again'' and rejoins the Bladebreakers (three). He stays with them until he goes over to the Blitzkrieg Boys (the Demolition Boys renamed, and switch number four). His next move is to join the bad guys of season three, BEGA (five). Of course, he realizes the error of his ways and switches back again (six).