Best TV Villains (so far)

The Power-Hungry Father: Logan Roy

Succession (2018- present)

Whatever you do, make sure you’re not related to Logan Roy. The head of Royco Waystar is not someone you want to cross – he’s vindictive, manipulative, and cruel. And that’s just with his adult children. The arrogant, aging businessman will stop at nothing to hold on to power, even when he’s on his deathbed. He looks sharp in a suit on a private jet and loves a swear word or two.

The Ambitious Vampire: Russell Edgington 

True Blood (2008-2014)

While True Blood has its fair share of villains, there is one that stands out for just being his truly evil self. Vampire Russell Edgington is both seductive and terrifying. Sure, he speaks with a tilting Matthew McConaughey-like southern accent, but he also ripped the spine out of a newsreader in cold blood. Not the kind of guy you want to meet down a dark (or light) alley at any time of day. 

The Evil Inventor: Lex Luthor

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

How can you have Superman without criminal mastermind Lex Luthor? They are the Yin to each other’s Yang. And while Superman is a fighter for good, Lex just can’t help but bat for the other team. In Dawn of Justice, he manipulates Batman into ultimately fighting Superman like a true puppet master, even providing the plans for the Kryptonite spears. His masterplan was so successful, we end up with (spoiler alert) one less superhero at the end of this fight.  

The Blood-Thirsty Mother: Cersei Lannister

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

It was clear from the very first episode, of the very first season, that Cersei was someone not to be crossed. The widow of King Robert Baratheon and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Cersei is fiercely protective of her three children and will literally do anything for them. Plus, there’s the off-putting sexual tension with her twin brother Jaime to add to the mix. While she has many crimes she could be tried for, to be honest, it’s hard to forgive her for executing Sansa’s beautiful (and innocent) direwolf Lady.

The Mafia Boss: Tony Soprano

The Sopranos (1999 – 2007)

While it’s true that the Mafia have long held a ruthless reputation in movies and television series (and in real life…), what stands out the most about Tony Soprano is that he can balance his incredibly violent tendencies with the love for his family. Seeing him order the murder of a friend while sitting next to his daughter and wife is just so cold. We’ll never get over the murder of (spoiler) Christopher’s girlfriend, Adriana, and while Tony didn’t pull the trigger himself, he was behind it, as he always is. Avoid having this guy as your neighbour. Or your friend. 

The Natural-born Killer: Great White Shark

Jaws (1975)

Now, if we’re talking about far-reaching consequences, the most feared villain on this list has got to be the famous fish in Jaws. The fictional 7.62m shark and its multi-swimmer killing spree not only terrorised the film’s beachgoers but also thousands of viewers in real life. Not only did generations grow up fearing sharks because of this movie, but the ‘Jaws Effect’ on shark popularity and numbers has been studied for years. Is that life imitating art, or the other way around?

The Homerun Assassin: Negan

The Walking Dead (2010 – present)

Another show with multiple contenders for all-time villain, The Walking Dead was always going to be on this list. Our choice of killer? The sarcastic, egomaniac Negan. Not only was he a loud and proud villain right from the start of this series, but he also wielded his barbed-wire-covered baseball bat, Lucille (named after his wife), with an intensity and pleasure rarely seen. Violent, darkly humorous, and more than a little arrogant, Negan definitely kept us watching.  

The Misunderstood Murderer: Dolores

Westworld (2016 – present)

Ahhh… sweet Dolores. The shy farm girl who was programmed for a quiet country life but destined for more. Dolores is a different kind of villain; innocent and eager at first, she seems like the very essence of innocence, yet pushed to the extremes of self-consciousness her vicious streak holds out until her (spoiler alert) death in season two. And while we may have her on this list for her season three storyline, we suspect she might not be on here after season four releases… watch this space.

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Originally published as Best TV Villains (so far)