GTA 5 Characters: Michael, Franklin and Trevor Explained
Grand Theft Auto V is built around three playable protagonists: Michael De Santa, a retired bank robber; Franklin Clinton, a young hustler from South Los Santos; and Trevor Philips, Michael’s volatile former partner. You can switch between them at almost any time, and each has his own special ability, skills, home and side missions.
Quick answer: Michael slows time while shooting, Franklin slows time while driving, and Trevor enters a rage that makes him tougher and deadlier.
The three protagonists at a glance
| Character | Background | Home base | Special ability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael De Santa | Retired bank robber living under a deal with the FIB | Rockford Hills mansion | Slows time during gunfights |
| Franklin Clinton | Repo man looking for a bigger score | South Los Santos, later Vinewood Hills | Slows time while driving |
| Trevor Philips | Former partner of Michael, runs a criminal business in Blaine County | Sandy Shores trailer | Rage mode: less damage taken, more dealt |
Michael De Santa
Michael, born Michael Townley, faked his death after a heist went wrong in North Yankton and moved his family to Los Santos under a secret arrangement with the FIB. He lives a comfortable but unhappy life with his wife Amanda and children Jimmy and Tracey, and the story begins when he is pulled back into crime. Michael is the planner of the group and is strongest in gunfights thanks to his time-slowing ability.
Franklin Clinton
Franklin grew up in South Los Santos and starts the game repossessing cars with his friend Lamar Davis. He wants to escape street-level crime, and meeting Michael gives him his chance. Franklin owns the dog Chop, and his ability to slow time while driving makes him the best choice for chases, getaways and races.
Trevor Philips
Trevor was Michael’s partner in the old days and believed Michael was dead. When he finds out the truth, he comes to Los Santos. Unpredictable and violent but fiercely loyal in his own way, Trevor runs Trevor Philips Enterprises from Sandy Shores. He has a background as a pilot, which makes him a natural in aircraft, and his rage ability turns him into a tank in combat.
Skills and how to improve them
Each character has the same eight skills, but different starting levels. You raise them by doing the related activity.
| Skill | How to improve it |
|---|---|
| Stamina | Running, cycling, swimming |
| Shooting | Shooting ranges, combat |
| Strength | Melee combat, tennis, golf |
| Stealth | Moving in stealth mode, stealth takedowns |
| Flying | Flight school lessons, flying aircraft |
| Driving | Driving fast, near misses, wheelies |
| Lung capacity | Swimming underwater |
| Special | Using the special ability |
How character switching works
Outside missions, hold the switch button and choose a character. The camera zooms out over the map and drops you into whatever that character is doing at that moment, which often leads to funny scenes. During missions, switching lets you control different parts of a plan, for example one character driving while another snipes. Heists use this heavily; see our GTA 5 heists guide.
Which character is best for what?
- Shootouts: Michael, for precision with time slowed.
- Car chases and races: Franklin.
- Flying and heavy combat: Trevor.
- Losing the police: Franklin’s driving ability helps; our guide to losing your wanted level in GTA 5 covers the rest.
Supporting characters to know
- Lester Crest: the hacker who plans heists.
- Lamar Davis: Franklin’s best friend.
- Dave Norton and Steve Haines: FIB agents who pressure the crew.
- Devin Weston: a billionaire who hires the crew.
FAQ
Who is the main character of GTA 5?
There isn’t a single one: Michael, Franklin and Trevor share the story, though Franklin makes the final choice.
Do all three survive?
It depends on the ending you choose. Read GTA 5 endings explained for details.
Are any GTA 5 characters in GTA 6?
GTA 6 has new protagonists, Lucia and Jason; see our GTA 6 characters guide.
Conclusion
GTA 5’s trio is what makes its story unique: Michael the planner, Franklin the driver and Trevor the wildcard. Learn their abilities, level up their skills and switch between them often to get the most out of Los Santos.