The Best TV Villains of All Time
Like any great film, novel, comic book, or video game, every television show requires a strong villain to maintain audiences’ interest on a week-in, week-out basis.
As individuals tasked with undermining the protagonist at every opportunity, villains create an inherent sense of conflict that most shows thrive on, outfitting TV series with a necessary degree of palpable drama.
Whether they take the form of deranged serial killers or genocidal aliens, these TV villains have proved more than a threat to their heroic counterparts, testing their foes’ mental, physical, and emotional limits throughout their series’ run.
Gus Fring (Breaking Bad)
Gustavo Fring may not have appeared as the final villain in Breaking Bad, yet one can feel his influence around every corner. The polar opposite of his colleague-turned-rival Walter White, Fring leads a similarly-split life as an efficient fast food restaurateur and the pragmatic kingpin of his own criminal empire.
Handling both duties with clear-cut cool-headedness, Fring’s almost robotic approach to his illegal operations make him a dangerous threat to Walt and Jesse, with every action–no matter how minute–dictated by his genius strategic mindset.
Benjamin Linus (Lost)
A master manipulator of people, Benjamin Linus made Emperor Palpatine look like a dime-store conman by comparison. The soft-spoken leader of the Others, Ben resorted to a variety of desperate measures to ward intruders off his island home, whether wiping out his childhood community or sacrificing his family members for the “greater good.”
A chaotic personality whose true allegiances audiences could only guess at, Ben always managed to keep three steps ahead of his opponent, playing a game of mental chess while they struggled through a game of checkers.
Daleks (Doctor Who)
A war-like race of aliens bent on total universal conquest, Daleks remain devoid of any emotional faculties save for one: hate. Hostile xenophobic mass murderers seeking to impose their collective will on the galaxy, Daleks have shown themselves willing to eliminate any lifeform they deem weak or inferior–including their own brethren.
Having evolved into perfect killing machines through years of experimental mutation and chemical fallout, every time it seems like the last Dalek has died off, another pops up with their shrill battle cry of “Exterminate! Ex-termi-nateeeee!”
Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones)
Though many of his family members proved just as unlikable, Joffrey Baratheon takes the cake for the most annoying Game of Thrones antagonist in all of Westeros. The eldest son of Cersei Lannister, Joffrey grew up with the self-assured knowledge he would one day become king–a title that granted him unlimited reign to do whatever he wanted.
Inheriting neither his mother’s cunning intelligence nor his father’s inherent bravery, Joffrey uses his monarchical duties to satisfy his sadistic desires, even at the cost of his family’s precarious standing in times of war.
Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)
In many ways, Mr. Burns personifies all the worst aspects of American capitalism, including its rampant greed, unscrupulous business practices, and its cutthroat view of average employees. An ancient businessman of almost unimaginable wealth, C. Montgomery Burns nevertheless strives to obtain more–or, at the very least, take what little others might have.
Unmoved by any semblance of basic morality, Mr. Burns has shown himself more willing to sic the hounds on someone looking for a handout before he might even consider lending a helping hand.
Bob (Twin Peaks)
In true David Lynch fashion, of course the most evil character in all of Twin Peaks would have the ordinary name, “Bob.” A long-haired demon who infects his victims’ dreams until he manages to possess their minds, Bob feeds on the suffering he inflicts on unsuspecting people.
Though that description pretty much sums up his entire personality, Bob’s devilish appearance alone can cause viewers’ hearts to skip a beat whenever he manifests on-screen.
Newman (Seinfeld)
Not every TV antagonist needs to murder people to establish themselves as a nuisance. For proof of that fact, just look at Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment neighbor and perpetual nemesis, Newman.
The best friend of Kramer and a recurring irritant for Jerry, Newman takes special delight in inconveniencing Jerry’s life whenever an opportunity arises. Making his presence known with his straight-faced line delivery and theatrical evil laugh, Newman made for a hilarious foil for Jerry and his friends every time he figured into the show.
Homelander (The Boys)
The prospect of an evil Superman may sound terrifying on paper, but the reality of Homelander somehow transcends the limits of the imagination. The godlike leader of the Seven and the most powerful superhero on the planet, Homelander’s omnipotent superhuman abilities are matched only by his twisted ego and narcissistic worldview.
Using his powers to terrorize those beneath him (I.E. everyone), Homelander might smile and wave at the public’s camera, but in private, he switches to his true form: an unstable egotist who views the average person with the casual indifference of an insect.
Klingons (Star Trek)
Yes, classifying an entire alien species as “villains” seems like a gross oversimplification. Yet in their earliest appearances, Klingons stood apart as a militaristic intergalactic regime who prided themselves on their combat skills.
Taking inspiration from Ancient Spartan civilization, Star Treks’ creative minds constructed an in-depth intergalactic society with the Klingons, one that has since grown to encompass its own cultural traits and distinct language (now available to learn on Duolingo).
The Joker (Batman: The Animated Series)
While Heath Ledger’s portrayal of Batman’s arch-enemy remains unrivaled, audiences shouldn’t look past the influence of Mark Hamill’s praised vocal performance in Batman: The Animated Series.
Despite the series gearing itself towards kids, Hamill’s portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime endeared itself to generations of viewers. In fact, the Star Wars alumnus’s distinct cackle and trademark nasal voice proved so popular, Hamill has served as the go-to voice for the character in subsequent animated movies, video games, and TV series in the decades that followed.
Kilgrave (Jessica Jones)
Though his traumatic upbringing may cause audiences to sympathize with him, Kilgrave’s ongoing abuse of Jessica Jones makes him an altogether despicable villain. Perpetuating the cyclical phenomenon of inherited trauma, Kilgrave prefers to see himself as the victim rather than the abuser, twisting others to his mental will.
Even after his apparent demise, Kilgrave still manages to torment Jessica from beyond the grave, forcing viewers (and Jones herself) to wonder whether they’ve really seen the last of this purple-clad telepath.
Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)
Few serial killers make murder look as downright appetizing as Hannibal Lecter. A larger-than-life personality in the annals of horror fiction, Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Thomas Harris’s murderous cannibal sets itself apart from Anthony Hopkins’ loquacious Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.
An intellectual genius able to dissect his victims’ psyche even as he plans a delectable feast from their corpse, Hannibal ranks as one of the most merciless serial killers in all of television history.
The Trinity Killer (Dexter)
Speaking of serial killers, one shouldn’t discouns the sworn nemesis of Dexter’s titular vigilante with Thomas Mitchell (better known as the Trinity Killer). At first glance, John Lithgow’s mild-mannered church deacon seems like the furthest thing from a demented murderer, yet beneath his unassuming exterior lies a cold-hearted psychopath capable of destroying entire families.
For this reason alone, Mitchell appears among the most realistic depictions of a psychopaths in all of pop culture–lulling people with his apparent friendliness while keeping his inner demons in check. He also ranks as one of the most frightening TV villains to date.
Boyd Crowder (Justified)
The tragedy of Justified’s Boyd Crowder has to do with his inevitable descent back into the life of crime he tries so hard to leave behind. From leading a racist hate group to finding religion in prison, Boyd’s narrative journey makes for an engrossing enough reason to watch Justified on its own.
Despite his best attempts to do the right thing and start a new life for himself, however, Boyd’s troubled upbringing always leads him back to square one, often casting him opposite Timothy Olyphant’s law-abiding U.S. Marshal, Raylan Givens.
Plankton (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Yes, Plankton may not tower over his adversaries, but his vast intellect and unwavering commitment to steal the Krabby Patty secret recipe make him a serious threat among TV villains.
Hatching all kinds of harebrained schemes to sneak into the Krusty Krab, Plankton’s repeated attempts to best his lifelong business rival Eugene Krabs forms the backbone of every major SpongeBob episode in existence.
Kingpin (Daredevil)
Certain actors forever remain attached to their comic book characterization, whether discussing Willem Dafoe’s giggling iteration of the Green Goblin or Hugh Jackman’s grizzled performance as Wolverine. With Marvel’s Kingpin, said honor goes to Vincent D’Onofrio, who hands in the definitive performance of New York crime boss, Wilson Fisk.
A villain with a genuine conscience and his fair share of wholesome traits, Fisk’s conflicting desire for power and the love he holds for his family make him a fascinating foil to Daredevil and his allies.
The Smoking Man (The X-Files)
Making his first appearance way back in The X-Files’ pilot episode, the Smoking Man always seemed like the spectral embodiment of forces beyond human understanding.
Conveying a sense of profound mystery without even having to utter a word, the Smoking Man personified the prevailing questions about the universe that plagued Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Whenever he skulked through the background, viewers knew to expect some new conspiracy on the horizon.
Moriarty (Sherlock)
One doesn’t earn the moniker “The Napoleon of Crime” without good reason. The unstable arch-enemy of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes, Andrew Scott’s portrayal of James Moriarty reinvigorated the Victorian villain for the modern age.
Whether dancing along to Queen or laying siege to the Tower of London, Moriarty appeared a more than formidable match for Sherlock’s intellect, exploiting Holmes’ personal attachments for the sake of solidifying his mental superiority over Sherlock.
The Governor (The Walking Dead)
Most people won’t admit it, but The Walking Dead’s Governor may serve as the most accurate depiction of what the average survivor might go through amidst a zombie apocalypse. While he may have had a screw loose before the shambling walkers destroyed civilization, Philip Blake’s mental health no doubt took a turn for the worse while serving as the leader of Woodbury.
Like Lost’s Ben Linus, he proved himself capable of committing monstrous acts for what he perceived as the safety of his town–even if such responsibilities pushed him over the deep-end towards a full-on murderous breakdown.
Ralph Cifaretto (The Sopranos)
Symbolizing the most toxic characteristics of the American Mafia, Ralph Cifaretto gives Goodfellas’ Joe Pesci a run for his money as the most unstable gangster in the hard-boiled genre. A talkative loudmouth with obvious sadistic tendencies, Cifaretto’s impressive track record makes him a valuable–if annoying–member of the criminal organization.
Locking horns with Tony Soprano and vying for control of the mobster’s crew, most viewers will have a hard time finding any redeemable qualities whatsoever about this sociopathic weasel.
