The Best TV Villains Of All Time
The best TV villains of all time rank among some of the greatest TV characters of all time as well as some of the creepiest TV characters ever. While some TV villains exist to make the lead characters appear more heroic, some of them are just plain old, nasty jerks. Regardless of their motivations, the top TV bad guys make us want to bust into the TV and kick some butt, fictional style.
Many of TV's greatest greatest villains didn't start that way; some of these men and women started out as virtuous people who took a skid into the darker ways of the world. Think of Breaking Bad's Gustavo Fring, a legitimate business man turned evil meth trafficking d-bag. Or Dexter Morgan who started out killing only bad guys and then went and got tangled up with killing people as a CYA offensive action. Of course, there's also people like Joffrey Baratheon of Game of Thrones and The Simpsons' C. Montgomery Burns who seem to get off on tormenting people. They are the worst kind of awesome bad guys.
Who is the best bad guy on TV? What television shows have the greatest TV villains?  This best television villains list has all the top TV villains from your favorite series in one place for you to vote on.
- 1Breaking Bad
- Played By: Giancarlo Esposito
A cold and calculating drug lord with a penchant for violent discipline, this unforgettable villain's performance by Giancarlo Esposito in Breaking Bad showcased a terrifying wrath lurking beneath the facade of a mild-mannered businessman. Expertly manipulating events behind the scenes and fostering a network of fear and loyalty, this character's ultimate downfall is as explosive as his reign, remaining in the minds of viewers long after his departure.
- 2
Negan
The Walking Dead- Played By: Jeffrey Dean Morgan
With a sinister charisma that captivates and horrifies, Jeffrey Dean Morgan brings this brutal, bat-wielding leader to life in The Walking Dead. His ruthless demeanor and twisted sense of humor underscore a willingness to go to any lengths to maintain power, including inflicting gruesome and unforgivable acts upon his enemies. Negan's presence leaves an indelible impact on both the show and its fans, earning him a place among the most feared and loathed villains.
- 3
Ramsay Snow
Game of thrones- Played By: Iwan Rheon
In Game of Thrones, Iwan Rheon embodied the sadistic Ramsay Bolton, whose penchant for physical and psychological torture knew no bounds. His vicious acts continue to haunt viewers, and his cunning tactics and manipulations solidified his place as one of Westeros' most formidable adversaries. Despite meeting a fittingly grisly end, the sheer malice and depravity of his character ensures that he remains an unforgettable force of evil in television history.
- 4Breaking Bad
- Played By: Bryan Cranston
Through Bryan Cranston's masterful portrayal, Breaking Bad's Walter White transformed from a humble chemistry teacher into the ruthless and morally corrupt drug kingpin Heisenberg. His descent into darkness and the resulting destruction of those around him paints a chilling portrait of humanity's capacity for evil, which coupled with Cranston's Emmy-winning performance, cements Walter White's status as one of TV's most iconic antiheroes.
- 5Hannibal
- Played By: Mads Mikkelsen
Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of the sophisticated and sadistic Dr. Hannibal Lecter on the show Hannibal was nothing short of chilling. With his insatiable appetite for human flesh and an unnerving ability to manipulate those around him, his character left audiences both repulsed and captivated. Mikkelsen's nuanced performance solidified this timeless villain as a haunting force in television history.
- 6Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Played By: Ian Abercrombie
Ian McDiarmid gave a sinister and captivating performance in his role as Emperor Palpatine on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. As the mastermind behind the Empire's rise to power, his cunning manipulations and ruthless ambition defined his villainous nature and contributed to the series' epic storyline. His character's enduring impact on the franchise cements his place among the darkest figures in television history.
