10 Sneaky TV Show Villains Who Lurked in the Shadows Unnoticed

Few things in a TV show can be more satisfying than a well-executed villain twist, especially if the antagonist had been hiding in plain sight all along. Movies also utilize villain twists, but TV shows have the advantage of being able to prolong the suspense for multiple episodes or even multiple seasons, making the reveal much more shocking. It is often a close ally or even one of the main characters who is unveiled as the villain, allowing viewers to reevaluate everything they had done up until that point through a different lens.

While crime shows often opt for shocking villain reveals, any genre can benefit from flipping the script. Big twists can be even more impactful in shows where audiences do not anticipate such tumultuous narratives. Regardless of genre, successfully executing a twist requires careful planning; otherwise, it can shatter the suspension of disbelief. A well-crafted villain twist should fundamentally alter everything that occurred before it, whereas a poorly executed twist can tarnish a show's reputation. Some of the greatest TV villains of all time initially appeared as nothing more than harmless side characters.

Michael

Played by Ted Danson in The Good Place (2016-2020)

Michael's (Ted Danson) creepy smile as Eleanor realizes they are in the Bad Place in the season 1 finale of The Good Place - Played by Ted Danson in The Good Place (2016-2020)

Michael had been merely masquerading as a Good Place architect so that he could keep a close eye on his perverse experiment in human suffering.

Jan Bellows

Michael is the first person Eleanor sees when she first arrives in the Good Place, and he guides her through the afterlife with a steady hand and a warm smile. She thinks of him as something akin to an angel, but The Good Place's season 1 plot twist shows that he's much closer to the devil. Michael had been merely masquerading as a Good Place architect so that he could keep a close eye on his perverse experiment in human suffering. He eventually redeems himself and becomes a trusted ally, but this never distracts from his shocking reveal.

Played by Amy Ryan in Only Murders in the Building (2021-)

Jan smiling on the elevator in Only Murders in the Building. - Played by Amy Ryan in Only Murders in the Building (2021-) - Jan Bellows

Moriarty

Charles, Mabel, and Oliver team up unexpectedly to unravel a mysterious murder in their apartment building. Jan Bellows, a friendly neighbor, forms a connection with Charles and assists the team briefly in their inquiry. However, her involvement takes a dark turn when it is uncovered that Jan was the perpetrator all along. She had poisoned Tim Kono and resorts to the same method when Charles becomes a threat to her hidden agenda.

Played by Andrew Scott in Sherlock (2010-2017)

Sherlock pointing a gun at Moriarty in Sherlock - The Great Game - Played by Andrew Scott in Sherlock (2010-2017)

John & Jane Smith

Anyone familiar with Arthur Conan Doyle's original novels will know that James Moriarty is Sherlock Holmes' most prolific nemesis, so the BBC adaptation had to get creative to conceal his identity. Moriarty is first introduced as one of Molly's coworkers, the unremarkable Jim from IT. Moriarty uses a disguise to get physically close to Sherlock, and to throw him off the scent. He lets Sherlock's powers of deduction work in his favor. Sherlock wasn't the same after Moriarty's death, as their game of cat-and-mouse was vital to many of the show's best moments.

Played by Wagner Moura and Parker Posey in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024-)

Parker Posey and Wagner Moura in Mr. & Mrs. Smith - Played by Wagner Moura and Parker Posey in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024-) - John & Jane Smith

Eobard Thawne

One recent example of TV villains hiding in plain sight comes from the Prime Video spy thriller Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and it shows that the trope is just as effective as ever. John and Jane Smith first bump into the other John and Jane at a market, and they discover that there are more people like them who have traded in their identities to work for the mysterious organization. Although the other John and Jane initially seem friendly, the Mr. & Mrs. Smith season finale reveals that their "super-high-risk" status means that they assassinate other Johns and Janes.

Played by Tom Cavanagh in The Flash (2014-2023)

Eobard Thawne's Reverse-Flash smiling in The Flash - Played by Tom Cavanagh in The Flash (2014-2023)

Harrison Wells serves as Barry Allen's mentor, guiding him in honing his powers and developing his superhero persona, The Flash. Initially, there are subtle hints suggesting something peculiar about Harrison, including his knowledge of future events. The shocking revelation is that Harrison is actually Eobard Thawne, also known as the Reverse Flash. Eobard Thawne is a time-traveling villain who attempted to eliminate Barry when he was a child and continues to thwart him throughout the years.

Played by Aya Cash in The Boys (2019-)

Stormfront (Aya Cash) making a speech in The Boys season 2 - Played by Aya Cash in The Boys (2019-)

Episode 1 of The Boys exposes the dark side of every superhero affiliated with Vought. Homelander, the seemingly perfect hero, orchestrates a plane crash to protect the company. Stormfront, a new arrival, initially appears different as she aligns with Starlight to challenge Vought's toxic culture. However, her outspokenness and charm are all part of a calculated strategy to garner support for her Nazi beliefs.

The Boys season 4 is scheduled to premiere in June.

Dan Humphrey

Played by Penn Badgley in Gossip Girl (2007-2012)

Dan In Gossip Girl - Played by Penn Badgley in Gossip Girl (2007-2012) - Dan Humphrey

The revelation that Dan was the mastermind behind the Gossip Girl posts sparked mixed reactions among viewers. Throughout the series, Dan had engaged in discussions about Gossip Girl's identity and had shown private reactions to the scandalous posts. The twist seemed to contradict key aspects of his character, but Gossip Girl's creators knew they had to deliver a shocking moment after years of building suspense. Maintaining a mystery for so long is no easy feat, and the show had to unveil something that would still catch audiences off guard despite endless speculation.

Dris

Played by Shone Romolus in Top Boy (2011-2023)

Dris (Shone Romulus) looking upset in Top Guy. - Played by Shone Romolus in Top Boy (2011-2023)

Dris is not portrayed as a true villain in the story. However, he ultimately chooses to betray Sully and Dushane in order to secure stability for himself and his daughter. Despite being a trusted member of the group and even serving as second-in-command, Dris's betrayal serves as a harsh reminder to Sully and Dushane that they can only rely on each other in a world where loyalty is highly valued. This act highlights Dris's prioritization of his own well-being over the gang's trust.

Agatha Harkness

Played by Kathryn Hahn in Wandavision (2021)

Agatha Harkness using her power in WandaVision - Played by Kathryn Hahn in Wandavision (2021)

Wandavision revolutionized the MCU with its unconventional approach, breaking away from traditional genre norms to deliver a unique blend of sci-fi and sitcom. Kathryn Hahn shines as Agnes, initially appearing as a stereotypical neighbor character but later unveiled as the sinister Agatha Harkness, the series' true antagonist. Hahn's portrayal was so well-received that a spinoff centered around Agatha Harkness is now in development.

Joe Miller

Played by Matthew Gravelle in Broadchurch (2013-2017)

Matthew Gravelle as Joe Miller in Broadchurch - Played by Matthew Gravelle in Broadchurch (2013-2017)

Joe is the husband of Detective Ellie Miller, and he seems to be one of the very few people in the town who is totally above suspicion.

The British crime drama Broadchurch exposes the fractures that emerge in a previously peaceful small town following the discovery of a young boy's body on the beach. Despite the uncovering of numerous dark secrets during the investigation, Joe Miller, the husband of Detective Ellie Miller, remains off the detectives' radar. He appears to be one of the few individuals in the town who is completely free from suspicion. In the end, Ellie comes to the shocking realization that Joe murdered the boy to conceal their inappropriate relationship, leading her to understand that her marriage was not as flawless as she had believed.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the captivating nature of well-executed villain twists in TV shows, particularly those that involve characters initially perceived as harmless or even allies. By prolonging the suspense and revealing the antagonist's true identity at a crucial moment, these twists can fundamentally alter the viewers' perception of the narrative. The examples provided, such as Michael in "The Good Place" and Moriarty in "Sherlock," demonstrate the impact of such twists in creating a sense of shock and surprise.

Overall, the article effectively conveys the importance of careful planning and execution when incorporating villain twists into TV shows. It emphasizes that a poorly executed twist can shatter the suspension of disbelief and tarnish the show's reputation. By showcasing examples of successful villain reveals, the article underscores the potential of this storytelling technique to enhance the overall viewing experience and leave a lasting impression on the audience.