20+ Villains Of TV Shows That We Ended Up Simping For Instead Of Hating

Most of the time, we TV show fanatics get sucked into a show because of the exemplary execution of the storyline as well as the characters involved in it. Scratch that—even if the writing may sometimes be bad and obviously poorly planned, we just keep watching the show because of how we just love to watch that one character or duo that has us wrapped around their finger.

While we are usually drawn to like one of the main characters in a show, sometimes, an odd thing happens when we find ourselves seemingly sympathizing with the one character we're supposed to hate: the antagonist. As a general, unspoken rule, antagonists are made for the audience to hate, especially since their main role is to always be in the way of the main characters' plans—but sometimes, these villains are so cruelly good that we almost find it hard not to root for them.

Maybe it's just the actor's sheer charisma, or it's the fact that deep down, the character seems like truly nice people, or it could just be the plain fact that everything this villain does is so cool and iconic. One way or another, there are a lot of TV show villains that the audience finds hard not to like; whether it's the writers' intention or not!

Now, take a look at the following TV show antagonists that many people just couldn't help but root for because they're so bad it's so good!

1. Edie Britt from Desperate Housewives

I think she was misunderstood and had an untimely death. She spoke her mind, lived her life, and called people out on their bullshit. She was a strong, independent, successful woman. —Dr. Daniel Gilbert, happiness researcherABC

2. Lord Petyr Baelish from Game of Thrones

He was cunning, sneaky, and helped control the narrative. “Villains often resonate with us because they reflect our own struggles and desires,” explains Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist and author. “Their complexity can evoke empathy, making them relatable rather than purely antagonistic.”HBO

3. Mr. Gold / Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon A Time

You knew he was the one you could always count on to screw people over, but the more you learned about him, the more you realized he was only evil because he was screwed over time and time again by the people who were supposed to care for him the most. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, notes, "People often act out in ways that reflect their own unresolved pain and trauma." This perspective helps us understand that villains may not be inherently evil but rather products of their circumstances. For more insights, visit Dr. Ramani's website.ABC

4. Serena Joy from The Handmaid's Tale

I go through stages with her because she can be very awful, but at the end of the day, she also falls victim to the oppression of women in Gilead. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, notes, "Characters who navigate complex moral landscapes often reflect our own struggles with empathy and judgment." Additionally, she allowed Offred to escape because she knew her daughter couldn't grow up in Gilead and face the same oppression she faces. This creates an AMAZING CHARACTER ARC, IMO! —Dr. Ramani DurvasulaHulu

5. Hannibal Lecter from Hannibal

We aren't supposed to like a serial killer/cannibal antagonist, but he's so damn charming and, not to mention, an amazing chef that makes (human) food look like art. His character is so well written that all of his flaws are almost forgiven. As Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, notes, "We are drawn to characters who embody both charm and danger because they evoke a complex emotional response." You can explore more about her insights on relationships at helenfisher.com.NBC

6. Marina Andrieski from The Magicians

She dressed impeccably and took shit from nobody. Plus, even when she *spoiler alert* was murdered by a demon, she was still a boss lady up until the very end. As Dr. Susan David, a renowned psychologist and author of "Emotional Agility," states, "Being true to oneself is a powerful form of resilience." This sentiment reflects the character's unwavering strength and authenticity, which resonates with audiences. —Dr. Susan DavidSyFy

7. Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones

She's the definition of a powerful woman. She literally blew up a portion of the city because they “made a fool of her.” She's passionate about her family and ensuring the survival of her bloodline and will do anything she can to keep herself on the throne. She may be an evil, backstabbing person, but man, she will do whatever it takes to get what she wants. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, states, "Ambition can sometimes blur the lines of morality, but it’s important to recognize the drive behind it." You can't help but respect that. —Dr. Ramani DurvasulaHBO

8. The Evil Queen from Once Upon A Time

Usually, I never like villain characters — that is, until I watched Once Upon A Time and came across the Evil Queen Regina. Her backstory added so many layers to her character that I couldn't help but shift my allegiance to her. As Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, notes, "Understanding the complexities of a character can evoke empathy, allowing us to connect with their struggles." Honestly, Regina did deserve a happy ending, especially after Robin died.—Dr. Susan DavidABC

9. Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer

I hated him when we first met him, but I loved him when we came back! He’s definitely my favorite character from BTVS. He's hilarious, witty, charming, and I love that there's nothing he wouldn't do for Buffy and Dawn. As Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, states, "Emotions are not just feelings; they are data that can help us navigate our lives." This resonates with the complexity of characters like him who evoke both love and hate. —Dr. Susan DavidThe WB

10. Lucifer from Supernatural

“His sarcasm and wit are what make him so relatable, even as a villain. It’s fascinating how we can find humor in characters we’re meant to dislike,” says Dr. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of "The Happiness Hypothesis" on his website, jonathanhaidt.com. “This duality in character can evoke laughter and empathy, making it hard to fully hate them.”The CW

11. Deucalion and Theo from Teen Wolf

They're so evil, but then, in the last season, they turned out to be great allies to Scott's pack and managed to redeem themselves along the way. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist and author of "Grit," states, "The ability to change and grow is a fundamental aspect of human nature." This reflects how even the most villainous characters can evolve and find redemption. For more insights, visit her website at angeladuckworth.com.MTV

12. Negan from The Walking Dead

He was set up as the formidable antagonist to Rick and the gang after he killed Glenn. Yes, he's an evil character, but he's also a source of great comic relief and incredibly intelligent, if you consider it deeply. As Dr. Paul Bloom, a psychology professor, notes, "Complex characters often evoke mixed feelings, allowing audiences to appreciate their depth even when their actions are reprehensible." —Dr. Paul BloomAMC

13. Villanelle from Killing Eve

She’s brilliant, witty, and strong. —Dr. Helen Fisher, biological anthropologist, emphasizes that "characters who display intelligence and strength often resonate with us on a deeper level, as they embody qualities we admire and aspire to."buzzfeed.com

14. Kai Parker from The Vampire Diaries

He's so witty and funny that it became really hard to root against him. As Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, notes, "Humor is a powerful tool in attraction and can create a bond that makes it difficult to dislike someone." I wish they wrote him into the spin-off like they did Klaus. —Dr. Helen FisherThe CW

15. Jim Moriarty from Sherlock

Like every other Sherlock fan, I really loved Moriarty. Like, he was supposed to be the most evil character, but it didn't stop my love for the complex character. As Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, states, "We are often drawn to complexity and moral ambiguity in characters, as they reflect our own struggles with good and evil." His evil was just. So. Good. —Dr. Jonathan HaidtBBC

16. Klaus Mikaelson from The Vampire Diaries

Originally, he was an immortal, heartless villain, but later on in The Vampire Diaries, and then in The Originals, he showed that there was so much more to him than met the eye. As Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist, explains, "Characters who display complex motivations often resonate with audiences because they reflect our own struggles with morality and love." His methods were unconventional, but he always believed he was doing the right thing for his family. —Dr. Laura BermanThe CW

17. Petra Solano from Jane The Virgin

She was problematic at first, and sometimes still is. But she gradually became this funny and highly relatable character who I love dearly ❤️. As Dr. John Gottman, a renowned marriage researcher, states, "Understanding the complexities of a character can lead to deeper empathy and connection." You can explore more about his insights on relationships at gottman.com.The CW

18. Jasper from Steven Universe

I know she's a bully and is kind of horrible, but she just makes every scene she's in so amusing and 10x more interesting. Even when Jasper eventually got her much-deserved comeuppance, I felt really bad for her and it only made my intrigue in her grow. As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, notes, "Complex characters often evoke empathy, as they reflect our own struggles and flaws." You can explore more of her insights on her professional website at dralexandrasolomon.com.

19. Mona Vanderwaal from Pretty Little Liars

I know she can be awful at times, but she's also brilliant and funny and went out of her way to save the Liars multiple times in the later seasons! I love to watch her scheme. Mona's a total badass! As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, states, "Complex characters often reflect our own struggles and strengths, making them relatable." You can explore more about her insights on relationships and personality at Dr. Ramani's website.Freeform

20. Count Olaf from A Series of Unfortunate Events

We never want to see him again when he leaves, yet, we eagerly anticipate his return every time. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, explains, "The complexity of villainous characters often mirrors our own struggles, making them relatable and intriguing." You can explore more about her insights on her professional website at drramani.com.Netflix

21. Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones

He was a cold and calculating individual, fully aware of his nature and indifferent to it. His intelligence was remarkable — arguably one of the most astute strategists on the show. He was the only one capable of keeping Cersei and Joffrey in check...to a degree. Joffrey feared him, which granted him a semblance of control over the young king. However, he struggled to manage Tyrion, a conflict that ultimately led to his demise. While he was undeniably a terrible person and father, and I don't mourn his death, his efficiency cannot be overlooked. As Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, states, "Even the most flawed individuals can exhibit a kind of effectiveness that is hard to ignore." —Dr. Susan DavidHBO

22. Georgina Sparks from Gossip Girl

Every time Georgina came around, you knew things were going to get interesting. She is sassy, funny, and unapologetically savage. As Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, states, "The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives." Her insights on complex characters reveal how their charm can captivate us, making them hard to resist. —Dr. Esther PerelThe CW

23. And of course, Sue Sylvester from Glee

She's always the bad guy, but does it in such an entertaining way. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, a leading researcher in character and perseverance, notes, "Even the most seemingly antagonistic characters can exhibit hidden layers of complexity and care." This is evident in her relationship with the Glee Club; deep down, she really does enjoy it, even if she always denies it. "Characters like her often reflect our own struggles with vulnerability and connection," adds Dr. Duckworth on her professional site. —Dr. Angela DuckworthFOX

Some villains are just so irresistibly likable that sometimes, it's safe to say that they definitely carried the whole show on their backs. Props to the writers as well for creating such complex characters that the audience got lured in to like them even if they shouldn't even be!

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