Which character becomes the island’s protector in the television series Lost?

Jack Shephard becomes the island’s protector in the television series Lost.

The role of protector is connected to the island’s supernatural rules and to the long conflict between Jacob and the Man in Black. Near the end of the series, Jack accepts the responsibility after Jacob’s death and works to defend the island from the Man in Black.

Jack’s appointment is the culmination of his character arc. He begins as a practical doctor focused on getting survivors rescued, but repeated encounters with the island gradually force him to accept that its mysteries and survival may require personal sacrifice.

John Locke and Ben Linus are closely linked to the island’s leadership and mythology, which can cause confusion. However, Jack is the character who formally assumes the protector’s role before passing responsibility to Hugo Reyes.