There is something utterly charming and magnetic about characters who operate in the morally grey area. Maybe, most good stories need a villain, but when main characters are anti-heroes with a killer backstory and dark evolution that makes sense, it all culminates into TV gold.
These characters awed and terrified us with their actions, and we couldn’t hate them against our better judgment of good versus bad.
10. Jack Bauer – ‘24′
Jack Bauer doesn’t have time for any moral dilemmas…each season, he gets only 24 hours to stop a terrorist attack. What does it take to complete his mission? Torture, making hard decisions about collateral damage, breaking even international laws, and putting his life on the line every second. Many deemed Jack a disgrace, but in his adrenaline-fueled war for the safety and future of America, everything is fair. In the end, he does all the wrong things in the book for the “right” reasons.
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9. Tyrion Lannister – ‘Game of Thrones’
Arguably, the best character in ‘Game Of Thrones,’ and yes, there’s no dearth of great characters in the HBO epic, Tyrion Lannister is a man with a shifting moral compass. That’s what it takes to survive in the harsh political landscape of Westeros. Tyrion is smart, wise, and knows how to play the game. If he has to kill, manipulate, and betray on his path to escaping his toxic family dynamics and attaining power, he does so with perfect calm. Best Lannister there ever was!
8. Raymond Reddington – ‘The Blacklist’
Raymond “Red” Reddington is an enigma in human form—a criminal mastermind who turns a consultant for the FBI to dismantle the empires of other criminals around the world. Through it all, he plots his own agenda and is always a mile ahead of other characters. We can never tell whether he is working with the agents or using them, and when Red makes shadowy (at times, bloody) moves, we just pray for his survival.
7. Fleabag – ‘Fleabag’
Oh, there’s no way not to fall for Fleabag. Sure, she’s messy, selfish, and constantly self-sabotaging, but the woman is also absolutely raw, real, and heartbreakingly honest. The character turns her flaws into art, and somehow makes betrayal, grief, and flirting with a priest feel relatable.
6. Dexter Morgan – ‘Dexter’
Dexter Morgan might work for the law, but he punishes those who skirt judgment by authorities. And that punishment comes in brutal ways. The man comes with a “dark passenger” which he can’t seem to control or satiate, no matter how hard he tries. So yes, Dexter is a monster on a leash, but his killings are for justice. So, we wanted this anti-hero to thrive and escape his demons, quite literally.
5. Don Draper – ‘Mad Men’
‘Mad Men‘ is counted among the best shows ever made, and it’s a testament to a well-charted roster of characters. And, spearheading the cast is our man of contradictions: Mr. Don Draper. He is a creative master and emotional wreck, a devoted father and an unpardonable womanizer. Yet, Don Draper is the very picture of the American Dream, albeit with a hangover—glossy on the outside, broken inside. His charisma is endless.
4. Villanelle – ‘Killing Eve’
Villanelle is a ruthless assassin, sure, and she kills with a wink, clad in the most delightful couture outfits, but she is also magnetic and gets our love. When you pit her loneliness, odd vulnerability, and hilarious entertainment ability against her psychopathy, you can’t help but root for her. Indeed, we hate to love her, but nevertheless do so.
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3. Tommy Shelby – ‘Peaky Blinders’
Make no mistake, Tommy Shelby is a gangster, politician, and soldier who is the embodiment of cold calculations. And, this evil genius doesn’t hesitate to kill, manipulate, or betray. His journey shocks, thrills, and keeps us engaged. Tommy’s endgame? He claims every ugly act is a guise for building a better world. But the deeper he goes, the more he loses himself. Yet, we cheer for him.
2. Walter White – ‘Breaking Bad’
Okay, Walter White may be the best-written character of modern times. His transformation from cancer-stricken teacher to the fearsome drug lord Heisenberg is one of TV’s most gripping arcs. Walter has our sympathy at first, but when he breaks bad and becomes every bit evil, we still can’t give up on him. His descent is the stuff to watch with bated breath.
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1. Tony Soprano – ‘The Sopranos’
Tony Soprano is the godfather of modern anti-heroes on TV. After all, he is a mob boss who cries in therapy, at home he hugs his kids, and then casually orders hits to solve his professional issues. Tony made audiences question what makes someone “good” or “bad” in the first place. The answer? Well, iconic characters are still just following in his bloody footsteps.
