The 7 Best TV Villains of All Time, From Antagonistic To Just Evil

TV shows need many positive attributes to rope viewers in on a weekly basis. In addition to sharp writing and a strong narrative premise, most shows also require a formidable villain–an antagonist meant to threaten, undermine, and generally sew chaos in the context of their series’ fictitious universe. To be sure, countless TV series have introduced certain memorable villains over the years, but only a select few antagonists have maintained audiences’ interests from one season to the next. From psychopathic hitmen roaming the Midwest to despotic child-kings ruling over fractured fantasy kingdoms, here are some of the greatest villains in television history.

Gus Fring (Breaking Bad)

In reality, it’s easy to frame Gustavo Fring, played by Giancarlo Esposito, as something of an anti-villain–an antagonist with a sympathetic background who proves every bit as likable, if not more so, than his counterpart in Walter White. A powerful drug kingpin masquerading as a mild-mannered fast food CEO, Fring runs both of his professional empires with near-mechanical precision. Whereas Walter’s fiery temper dictates many of his irrational actions, Fring’s pragmatic and logical cool-headedness allows him to sift through his conflicting emotions, making him all the more threatening an antagonist to face.

Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones)

While Ramsay Bolton, Cersei Lannister, or Tywin Lannister are certainly more intelligent, there’s something about Jack Gleeson’s Joffrey Baratheon that stands out. A whiny, pig-headed, arrogant spoiled teenager with a sadistic mean streak, Joffrey delights in inflicting pain on others simply because he can. Lacking neither morals nor basic strategic intelligence, Joffrey exploits his position as King of the Seven Kingdoms to his own twisted advantage. Possessing almost none of the qualities that a judicious monarch needs to rule, Joffrey’s constant abuse of his social inferiors makes him among the most despicable individuals in all of Westeros, bar none.

Benjamin Linus (Lost)

The enigmatic leader of the Others, Michael Emerson’s Benjamin Linus remains one of the most unknowable characters in the entirety of Lost. Just when you think you have him figured out, Ben unveils an entirely new hidden agenda you never even considered possible, from kidnapping pregnant women to using Sayid as his personal hired gun. A master manipulator able to talk himself out of the most dangerous situations, Ben is that chaotic character whose allegiance is forever changing, causing viewers to constantly guess whose side he’s on at any given moment.

The Master (Doctor Who)

Every well-known hero has an evil version of themselves, whether discussing Superman and Bizarro, Flash and Reverse-Flash, or The Doctor and The Master. The Moriarty to The Doctor’s Sherlock, The Master appears as the complete polar opposite of his fellow Gallifreyan Time Lord. Whereas The Doctor goes out of his way to help those in need, The Master is solely interested in acquiring further power in the universe, putting him one step closer to total galactic supremacy. While multiple iterations of the character have been seen over the years, The Master remains every bit as entertaining now as he had been in the early 1970s, regardless of the actor portraying him.

Newman (Seinfeld)

Newman is an interesting example of an unconventional television antagonist. Despite being the close friend of Cosmo Kramer, this disgruntled Post Office worker takes every opportunity he can to wreak havoc on the life of his sworn arch-nemesis, Jerry Seinfeld. From sabotaging Jerry’s romantic relationships to infesting Jerry’s apartment with fleas, Newman’s constant, over-the-top attempts to inconvenience Jerry’s life any way he can make him a consistently hilarious adversary from one episode to the next.

Lorne Malvo (Fargo)

While something positive might be said about every Fargo antagonist, Lorne Malvo, played by Billy Bob Thornton, stands apart as the most frightening villain we’ve seen in the FX anthology series yet. A tonal cross between Anton Chigurh, the Terminator, and Satan himself, Lorne is the metaphorical embodiment of pure evil in the context of the series. An unscrupulous hitman and con artist who prides himself on his animalistic mentality, Lorne views himself as a wolf among hordes of unsuspecting sheep. Positioning himself at the top of the food chain, Malvo delights in murdering, manipulating, and corrupting almost everyone he happens across, serving as the proverbial devil on everyone’s shoulder within the morally ambiguous framework of Fargo.

Boyd Crowder (Justified)

A fascinating figure from Marshal Raylan Givens’ past, Boyd Crowder’s lengthy list of crimes can fill up a 500-page book. A charismatic speaker with a complicated personality, Boyd’s character arc within Justified makes for an interesting odyssey. Over the course of the show, Walton Goggins’ Crowder appears as everything from a professional bank robber to the born-again leader of a religious movement, with his irregular attempts at personal redemption typically leading him back to a life of crime. A villain audiences are able to understand and potentially even root for, Boyd’s unique relationship with Raylan adds a more personal dynamic between the U.S. Marshal and his foremost arch-nemesis.