15 TV Bad Guys We Can’t Resist Watching

Lauren Kirk

Fri, September 4, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC

7 min read

Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

John Lithgow's portrayal of the Trinity Killer in Dexter earned him multiple awards for his chilling and sympathetic performance.
Brian Cox's Logan Roy in Succession captivated audiences with his ruthless corporate villainy and sharp wit.
Jodie Comer's Villanelle in Killing Eve won both an Emmy and a BAFTA for her portrayal of the deadly yet captivating assassin.

Every great TV show needs a compelling villain, and sometimes, the best bad guys are the ones we can't help but root for. Whether they're Machiavellian masterminds, powerful antiheroes, or just wickedly charismatic baddies, these characters pulled us in and made us second-guess our loyalties. Here are 15 TV bad guys who made us cheer — even as they broke all the rules.

John Lithgow

As the terrifying Trinity Killer on Dexter , John Lithgow created a villain so compelling audiences alternated between fear and fascination. His layered performance brought a deeply human, even sympathetic side to his monstrous character, making for unforgettable TV. Lithgow's villain was both the show's greatest threat and an unexpected magnet for empathy. For his chilling portrayal of Arthur Mitchell in Dexter 's fourth season, Lithgow took home a Primetime Emmy, a Critics' Choice Award, and a SAG Award as reported by Deadline .

Brian Cox

Brian Cox's Logan Roy in Succession is a masterclass in corporate villainy, wielding power over his children and company with a ruthlessness that's somehow endlessly watchable. His sharp wit and ability to manipulate every situation keeps viewers entranced — even as they recoil from his methods. The allure of Logan Roy lies in his unflinching dominance and crafty intellect. Cox earned a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the ruthless media mogul, and was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series three times for the role, per Britannica .

Jack Gleeson

Joffrey Baratheon, played by Jack Gleeson, tormented Westeros and viewers alike on Game of Thrones . His cruelty and unpredictability made him one of television's most universally loathed villains, but that's exactly why he was impossible to turn away from. Gleeson's performance ensured every appearance was electric with tension and dread. After Joffrey's death on the show in 2014, the Irish actor stepped away from screen acting entirely — a hiatus that he claimed might be the beginning of his acting retirement, according to Time .

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton delivered a masterful turn as Lorne Malvo in Fargo , a hitman whose enigmatic charm and chilling menace rewrote the rules of villainy. Thornton instilled the character with a dark humor and intelligence that made viewers both afraid and strangely amused. Thornton's turn as the psychopathic hitman in Fargo 's first season earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy, as reported by MovieWeb .

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

As Negan on The Walking Dead , Jeffrey Dean Morgan dominated the screen with barbed-wire swagger and ruthless charisma. Negan's unforgettable monologues and twisted sense of justice made him a villain fans loved to hate. Morgan's portrayal gave layers to a brutal survivor, keeping viewers questioning their loyalty at every turn. Morgan first brought the character to life in the Season 6 finale before becoming the show's primary antagonist in Season 7, per CNN .

David Tennant

David Tennant took villainy to a disturbing new level as Kilgrave in Jessica Jones , showcasing a terrifyingly manipulative antagonist. His eerie calmness and charm disguised an undercurrent of pure menace, making Kilgrave one of the most memorable TV foes. Tennant's performance drew both horror and unexpected compassion from viewers. Best known at the time for his role as the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who , Tennant was cast as the mind-controlling Marvel villain for the Netflix series, according to Variety .

Ed Harris

Bringing gravitas to Westworld 's Man in Black, Ed Harris transformed a simple villain into a profound character study. Driven by obsession and haunted by his past, the Man in Black's journey blurred the lines between hero and antagonist. Harris captured the darkness and complexity that kept fans invested in his mysterious motives. Harris starred as the Man in Black across four seasons of the HBO series, a role that earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as reported by Broadway.com .

Michael K. Williams

Omar Little from The Wire , played by the late Michael K. Williams , became an antihero legend thanks to his unique code and moral complexity. Williams brought charisma and humanity to Omar, making audiences root for him even as he lived outside the law. His presence became a beacon of justice in Baltimore's criminal landscape. Williams appeared in all five seasons of the HBO series, which ran from 2002 to 2008, creating one of the most beloved characters in a prime era of television, per NPR .

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister, as portrayed by Lena Headeyon Game of Thrones , cemented her status as one of television's greatest schemers. Headey brought vulnerability and icy resolve to a character who would stop at nothing for power. Fans savored Cersei's cunning moves, often finding themselves secretly hoping for her schemes to succeed. Headey received three Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the role, along with a Golden Globe nomination, according to The Golden Globes .

Antony Starr

Antony Starr's Homelander in The Boys redefined the antihero villain, combining chilling power with a dark satirical edge. Starr's nuanced performance unveiled the cracks beneath Homelander's superhero façade, exposing both his menace and moments of vulnerability. Audiences found themselves strangely fascinated by his all-American malevolence. Despite widespread critical praise and fan campaigns, Starr was never nominated for an Emmy for the role across the show's entire five-season run, as reported by CBR .

Michael Emerson

Michael Emerson 's portrayal of Benjamin Linus on Lost turned manipulation into an art form, keeping everyone guessing. His soft-spoken delivery and unpredictable alliances transformed Ben from a standard adversary into a fan favorite. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for this character, and was also nominated for a Golden Globe for the role, per The Television Academy .

Giancarlo Esposito

Few villains are as chilling and calculated as Giancarlo Esposito 's Gus Fring from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul . Esposito infused Gus with a calm, composed danger that made every interaction nerve-wracking. Esposito received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role across both AMC series, and won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, according to Britannica .

David Morrissey

David Morrissey's Governor on The Walking Dead was unsettlingly charming and relentlessly cruel. Morrissey brought depth to a warlord who believed in his own vision of order, making the Governor's descent into villainy all the more tragic. His unpredictable leadership challenged every survivor and earned lasting infamy. The BAFTA-nominated British actor joined the series for its third season in 2012, taking on the role of one of the most feared villains from the original graphic novel, as reported by Rolling Stone .

Jodie Comer

As Villanelle in Killing Eve , Jodie Comercombined deadly precision with playful wit, making her one of television's most intriguing assassins. Comer's performance was equal parts chilling and captivating, inviting viewers into Villanelle's twisted mind. Her unpredictable charm and layered complexity made her impossible not to root for — at least some of the time. Comer swept both the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and the BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actress in 2019 for the role, per Deadline .

Aidan Gillen

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, played by Aidan Gillenin Game of Thrones , was the ultimate puppet master. Gillen brought subtlety and cunning to the role, reveling in his character's manipulations and dangerous political games. Every move Littlefinger made reshaped the power dynamic in Westeros, earning reluctant admiration from even his critics. The Irish actor was part of the show's original starring cast and remained in the role from the first season through the seventh, according to Fox News .

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