8 TV Shows That Make You Root For The Villain

March 31, 2024, 1 p.m.

Movies

8 TV Shows That Make You Root For The Villain

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Summary Villains on TV can be so well-written that audiences start rooting for them, adding complexity to the narrative.

Anti-heroes like Walter White and Dexter Morgan blur the lines between protagonist and antagonist, compelling viewers.

TV shows excel when exploring flawed characters and allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions on morality.

Well-written villains on TV shows are a vital part of a series' narrative, and in some cases, the villains are so good that the audience starts rooting for them. This stance doesn't necessarily mean viewers are rooting against the heroes or that they align with the morals of the villain, but that the characters are so compelling it's impossible to look away from them. Viewers might acknowledge that a villain losing or the death of a villain would be a major loss for the show and make the story much less intriguing.

However, TV shows are at their best when they're portraying an honest depiction of flawed characters and letting the audience draw their own conclusions about who is in the right or if anyone in the series is.

Often, in shows with the best TV anti-heroes, the protagonist is the ultimate villain of the series. They are responsible for not only their hardships but the hardships of others. This complexity makes their narratives especially compelling because it's difficult not to empathize with a character when the story is told from their perspective. However, TV shows are at their best when they're portraying an honest depiction of flawed characters and letting the audience draw their own conclusions about who is in the right or if anyone in the series is.

Related 10 TV Show Villains That Were Hiding In Plain Sight The Whole Time Sometimes the best villains are fighting side-by-side with the hero the entire time, and their big reveals can make for shocking twists.

8 Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)

Walter White

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buy Not available Not available Not available Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg. Cast Dean Norris , Bob Odenkirk , Aaron Paul , RJ Mitte , Anna Gunn , Giancarlo Esposito , Betsy Brandt , Bryan Cranston , Jonathan Banks Release Date January 20, 2008 Seasons 5 Franchise(s) Breaking Bad Directors Vince Gilligan , michelle maclaren

Breaking Bad aired during the period of peak TV, an era that often centered the journeys of anti-heroes with moral ambiguities instead of the traditional good versus evil narratives. Of all the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul villains, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is the worst. As he's the protagonist of Breaking Bad, it's almost impossible not to root for him and be invested in his story, but as the seasons progress, it becomes increasingly clear that he isn't making meth to help his family but because he craves the power and control it give him.

This takeaway might sound obvious, but Walt tries to convince himself and others that he's actually selfless for much of the series, and his descent into true evil is what keeps the show moving. There would be no story without Walter White, and it's easy to forget that he orchestrates many of the worst instances of violence in the series. Walt isn't the kind of protagonist audiences love, but he's a complex character that's impossible to look away from.

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7 Dexter (2006 - 2013)

Dexter Morgan

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buy Not available Not available Not available Based on the character created by author Jeff Lindsay, Showtime's Dexter follows Miami Metro Police Department's most skilled blood spatter analyst, Dexter Morgan, as he attempts to satisfy his Dark Passenger's need to kill by hunting down criminals who have escaped justice. However, using the rules his adoptive father taught him to remain undiscovered, Dexter must walk the fine line of seemingly blending into society while continuously feeding his dark urges. Dexter faces several serial killers as his facade slowly crumbles around him; with every problem solved by his Dark Passenger, another one arises for his suburban fatherly life. When Dexter takes things personally or feels that the law is failing, he takes matters into his own hands and even compromises the investigations of his co-workers. Dexter aired on Showtime for eight seasons before receiving a mini-sequel series called Dexter: New Blood, which picked up ten years after the show's events. You can buy each season for just $9.99 for Prime Day. Cast David Zayas , Michael C. Hall , Lauren Velez , C. S. Lee , James Remar , Jennifer Carpenter , Desmond Harrington , Julie Benz Release Date October 31, 2010 Seasons 8 Directors Clyde Phillips

Anti-hero is not the right word for Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a mild-mannered serial killer who attempts to curb his thirst for blood by only killing other criminals and serial killers. Dexter is a twisted take on crime procedurals and vigilantism narratives while not-so-subtly undermining the idyllic lifestyle of the nuclear family. Despite being intelligent and quick-witted, Dexter is continuously up against faster and better killers, who are determined to expose Dexter as the monster he is and take him down with them.

Dexter asks the audience if there is ever a way to justify killing and if a person can grow and fight off their nature.

It's an interesting tactic for the show to take. Instead of pitting the law against murderers, it pits two murderers against each other but provides insight into the internal monologue of one of them. Dexter asks the audience if there is ever a way to justify killing and if a person can grow and fight off their nature. These are mind-bending questions, and as Dexter is the source of them and a fascinating character study, the audience can't help hoping he keeps getting away with his crimes.

6 Hannibal (2013 - 2015)

Hannibal Lecter

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buy Not available Not available Not available Created for TV by Bryan Fuller, Hannibal is a TV adaptation/reimagining of Thomas Harris' Red Dragon novel. The show follows the exploits of FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and their perpetual game of cat and mouse that unfolds over the series. When a string of murders in Minnesota requires a brilliant mind to crack the case, Will Graham is called in to investigate - but due to the intimate and terrifying nature of the crimes, he is appointed Dr. Lecter to act as his psychiatrist. The truth of Dr. Lecter is that he is Will's target - but to complicate matters, he's the only person that can truly understand him. Cast Hugh Dancy , Caroline Dhavernas , Aaron Abrams , Mads Mikkelsen Laurence Fishburne , Scott Thompson Release Date April 4, 2013 Seasons 3 Directors Bryan Fuller

As a character, Hannibal Lecter has been explored through many different mediums, including film, television, and literary works. However, one of the best adaptations of his story comes from Hannibal, the short-lived but critically acclaimed crime drama. The series transcended the genre thanks to the fantastic performances from Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal and Hugh Dancy as Will Graham. What makes Hannibal such a mesmerizing character in the show isn't his usual killing and cannibalism, but how he manipulates Will throughout the series.

Hannibal quickly became known for not pulling punches when it came to displaying graphic violence and crime scenes, and it was equally committed to exploring the deep psyches of both Will and Hannibal. At first, the series leaned too far into the crime procedural format, but by the end of season 1, Hannibal had thrown the show off the rails and had set Will on a path he never expected. This worked wonders for the longevity of the series, and it was thanks to Hannibal that it remained interesting instead of falling into a formulaic pattern.

5 Death Note (2006 - 2007)

Light Yagami

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buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Mamoru Miyano , Brad Swaile , Vincent Tong , Ryō Naitō , Trevor Devall Release Date October 21, 2007 Seasons 1

The death note is not a power anyone should have, and it's made even worse by the fact that Light thinks he's using the power for good by killing criminals or anyone he deems unworthy.

The Death Note TV series is based on the manga of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba. Though every live-action Death Note movie and TV show has tried to capture the magic of the original series, none have come close. This failure is because of how faithfully the show translates the manga to the screen and how effectively it communicates the evil and manipulation of Light Yagami. When the disaffected teenager, Light, accidentally comes across the death note of the demon Ryuk, he suddenly has the power to kill anyone by writing their name in the book.

The death note is not a power anyone should have, and it's made even worse by the fact that Light thinks he's using the power for good by killing criminals or anyone he deems unworthy. However, the intricacy of the game he plays with the world and his adversary, L, is an incredible piece of television. As Light will do anything to maintain his power and keep his identity hidden, his actions become unpredictable, keeping the audience on the edge of their seat to find out if he is ever brought to justice.

4 Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 - 2008)

Zuko

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buy Not available Not available Not available Avatar: The Last Airbender is an Animated Fantasy and Adventure series that appeared on Nickelodeon and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The series featured voices from Zach Tyler Eisen, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, and Mae Whitman. The premise follows a young boy named Aang, an Air Bender who is set to be the next Avatar, master of all elements, in a bit to unite the nations together and bring peace. Cast Mako , Dee Bradley Baker , Jack De Sena , Michaela Jill Murphy , Zach Tyler , Dante Basco , Mae Whitman Release Date February 21, 2005 Seasons 3 Directors Dave Filoni

There are many reasons that Zuko's character arc is a masterpiece in Avatar: The Last Airbender and his journey from a staunch enemy of the avatar to a trusted friend is one of them. Zuko is never the show's central villain, but for the first three and a half seasons, he is determined to hunt down the avatar. This hatred for the avatar stems from the fact that he's exiled from the fire nation and believes that delivering Aang to his father will restore his honor.

If anything, this makes Zuko a more tragic figure than a terrifying one, but there are several instances when he truly acts as a villain and tries to harm Aang and his friends. However, he eventually starts to understand the devastation the Fire Nation has brought to the other kingdoms and feels guilty about his role in this. He also discovers that being back in the Fire Nation and his father’s approval isn't as fulfilling as he thought it would be. This realization spurs him to do the right thing and become a hero.

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3 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 - 2003)

Spike, The Mayor, The First

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buy Not available Not available Not available Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural comedy-drama series released in 1997. The show follows the exploits of Buffy, a woman born into a line of "Slayers" destined to do battle with vampires, demons, and monsters. Aided by her close group of friends and a Watcher who helps her hone her craft, the crew solves mysteries and battles the forces of evil to protect their town - and the world. Cast Sarah Michelle Gellar , Nicholas Brendon , Alyson Hannigan , Charisma Carpenter , Dan Rubin , David Boreanaz , Seth Green , James Marsters Release Date March 10, 1997 Seasons 7 Directors Joss Whedon

The reason Buffy was and is such a cultural touchstone is because of how three-dimensional so many of the villains are.

There were many fantastic villains on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as each season revolved around a new big bad that Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends would have to team up to stop. Introduced in season 2, James Marsters' Spike was Buffy's best villain because he was so much more than a typical big bad and became a vital character not only in Buffy but in its spinoff show, Angel. However, the reason Buffy was and is such a cultural touchstone is because of how three-dimensional so many of the villains are.

Even if they're the epitome of pure evil, like The First in season 7, they have reasons and goals that are more complex than the simple end of the universe. The First is a standout villain on Buffy, as is The Mayor (Harry Groener), who's featured in season 3 because they have unique plots that are just as interesting as what Buffy is getting up to while trying to stop them. Of course, Spike will always be the most compelling villain in Buffy The Vampire Slayer because of his slow and subtle development.

2 You (2018 - 2024)

Joe Goldberg

You You is a drama-thriller series based on the novel by Caroline Kepnes that follows an obsessive and dangerous bookstore owner known as Joe Goldberg. The show sees Joe meeting women that he becomes transfixed with and goes to terrifying lengths to insert himself into their lives. To accomplish his goal, Joe will remove each obstacle - and person- in his way. Cast Elizabeth Lail , Michaela McManus , Ambyr Childers , Victoria Pedretti , Luca Padovan , Scott Speedman , Travis Van Winkle , Penn Badgley , Jenna Ortega , Shay Mitchell Release Date September 9, 2018 Seasons 4 Showrunner Sera Gamble , Greg Berlanti

Penn Badgley, who plays the infamous Joe Goldberg in You, despises his own character because of who he is and what he represents. It's true that Joe is easy to hate and should be reviled by anyone watching, but part of the effectiveness of You is how easy it is to slip into empathizing with and understanding Joe despite his horrible actions. The series' main themes draw attention to the bad behavior society will let slide if an attractive white man does it.

Joe is the epitome of this kind of man, and he has been, quite literally, getting away with murder for years by coasting on his charm. The draw of a show like You is getting inside the head of a horrible person and witnessing how easy it is for him to justify his actions and convince himself he's a good person. As much as audience members do want to see Joe caught and brought to justice, that also means an end to the series and a conclusion to the drama that makes it so easy to watch.

Watch You on Netflix.

Related You Season 5: Cast, Story & Everything We Know You season 5 will be Joe Goldberg's final outing. Will the charismatic killer have to answer for his crimes in the hit Netflix thriller show?

1 The Sopranos (1999 - 2007)

Tony Soprano

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buy Not available Not available Not available Considered to be a quintessential drama series to watch, The Sopranos is a crime-drama series that follows Tony Soprano, who tries to manage the expectations of an Italian-American patriarch while acting as the head of a prolific New Jersey crime family. Burdened by the stress of the expectations thrust upon him, Tony regularly visits a therapist throughout the series run. This helps give context to Tony's actions as a ruthless boss with violent tendencies. Cast James Gandolfini , Lorraine Bracco , Edie Falco , Michael Imperioli , Dominic Chianese , Steven Van Zandt , Tony Sirico , Robert Iler , Jamie-Lynn Sigler Release Date January 10, 1999 Seasons 6 Showrunner David Chase

One of the best television shows of all time, The Sopranos also boasts the best anti-hero and most compelling protagonist, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). The leader of an Italian crime family in New Jersey, Tony lives a double life of suburban husband and father by day and the violent, terrifying king of his domain by night. Already, this premise is compelling, but The Sopranos puts it over the edge by having Tony attend therapy and discuss the anxieties and fears that plague him because of the pressures of his role in the family and his difficult upbringing.

The nuance of Tony's character would not be possible without the amazing work of the late Gandolfini, who made it just as easy to cheer when Tony won as it was to cringe away when he killed his loved ones. Though other characters on the show are more obviously cruel and brutal, they are only minor villains when compared to the dark path that Tony takes throughout the show. The fact that they let him convince himself he has some sort of moral high ground only makes his deeds more sinister.