In drama, the protagonist is the leading character.
The protagonist is the main character in a drama or other work of literature, around whom the story revolves. They are often the character who faces the most significant challenges and undergoes the most significant changes over the course of the story.
While the protagonist may be a "nice guy" or a likable character, this is not always the case. Some protagonists may be morally ambiguous, flawed, or even downright unlikable. However, they are still the character with whom the audience is meant to identify and empathize, and whose journey is meant to drive the plot forward.
The writer of the drama creates the story and characters, but the protagonist is a specific character within that story. The actor is the performer who portrays the protagonist on stage or screen, but the character they play is the protagonist.