The Ultimate Clique of Feared Female TV Villains You Can't Help But Adore

Summary

TV has given rise to complex and captivating female villains that audiences simultaneously hate and can't get enough of.

These female antagonists, like Aunt Lydia from

The Handmaid's Tale

and Cersei Lannister from

Game of Thrones

, can elicit strong emotions from viewers, turning them against their own beloved heroes.

From the seductive Alice Morgan in

Luther

to the manipulative Katherine Pierce in

The Vampire Diaries

, these female villains bring depth and complexity to their roles that make them both terrifying and compelling.

A captivating antagonist can evoke strong emotions in viewers, even though they acknowledge that their beloved TV series would not be as compelling without these cunning characters. In recent years, television has witnessed a rise in remarkable female villains who possess a complexity that simultaneously enrages and captivates audiences. These women are unafraid to dismantle the hero or anyone else who stands in their way, adding a captivating element to the show.

From the detestable Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter to Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the big screen has featured numerous iconic female villains. However, with the golden age of television providing more opportunities for intricate character development and significant roles for women, small screen antagonists are now being explored with greater depth, allowing viewers to connect with and understand them. Exceptional TV villains possess the power to arouse sympathy to the extent that audiences turn against their beloved heroes, or elicit such anger and frustration that viewers are compelled to switch off their televisions.

11 Alice Morgan - Luther

10 Katherine Pierce - The Vampire Diaries

Luther unfolds as an enthralling battle of wits between the eponymous protagonist and the alluring serial killer, Alice. With her formidable intellect and lethal aptitude, she consistently surpasses the show's hero, leaving him trailing behind. Alice is a chilling force, yet she exudes a magnetic allure that is impossible to resist. The intricate romantic dynamic between the characters bears striking resemblances to the captivating dynamic shared by Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham.

Portrayed by Nina Dobrev, Katherine Pierce serves as the vampire doppelganger to Elena Gilbert in the popular TV series, The Vampire Diaries. Her character seamlessly switches between good and evil, showcasing Dobrev's versatility as an actress. Despite her manipulative and cruel nature, Katherine occasionally reveals glimpses of humanity, leading audiences to develop a complex mix of admiration and disdain for her wicked ways. It is her charm and intermittent acts of love that add depth to her villainous persona, ultimately making Katherine a captivating antagonist to root against.

9 Livia Soprano - The Sopranos

8 Stormfront - The Boys

Despite the presence of violent mobsters and murderers in the show, Livia Soprano manages to stand out as one of the most despised characters in The Sopranos. Season 1 unveils her as the mastermind behind the plot to turn Junior against her own son, but her toxic influence continues to haunt Tony Soprano long after her demise. Pretending to be a pitiable elderly woman, Livia manipulates those around her without ever acknowledging her culpability.

The Boys showcases a delightful array of characters that are irresistibly detestable. From Homelander to Soldier Boy, the Prime Video series boasts an ensemble of irredeemable villains who consistently captivate the audience’s attention. Season 2 introduces Stormfront as the show’s most repugnant character, chiefly due to her affiliation with the Nazi regime. Much like other supe villains in The Boys, Stormfront’s menacing presence lies in her ability to feign heroism and adeptly manipulate the public.

7 Aunt Lydia - The Handmaid's Tale

6 Kai Winn - Deep Space Nine

Lydia's portrayal in The Handmaid's Tale is truly bone-chilling, solidifying Ann Dowd's incredible acting talent. The oppressive society of Gilead, with its strict control over women, serves as the backdrop for Lydia's character, creating a terrifying environment. As a staunch supporter of this oppressive regime, Lydia becomes a formidable force, using merciless violence to enforce the patriarchal power of Gilead. Undeniably, her actions make her an easily despised character.

Kai Winn, a character from the vast Star Trek universe, stands out as a notable antagonist who evoked genuine anger from audiences. The clever writing and impeccable portrayal by Louise Fletcher made Kai Winn a religious leader with ambitious desires. She skillfully employed social etiquette as a façade to serve her own interests and advance her position. Kai Winn was essentially a politician in religious garments, rendering her a highly perilous figure and an astute observation on society.

5 Georgina Sparks - Gossip Girl

4 Villanelle - Killing Eve

Despite not possessing the terrifyingly murderous psychopathic nature of other female villains, Georgina serves as a compelling antagonist in the Gossip Girl universe. Right from the start, she excels at meddling and sabotaging those around her, effortlessly slipping roofies into Serena's drinks and orchestrating the deportation of various characters. Astonishingly, even with her despicable actions, Georgina manages to captivate viewers and become a villain that is hard to resist liking.

Jodie Comer has emerged as an exceptionally talented young actress in recent years, captivating audiences with her portrayal of Villanelle in Killing Eve. In this role, Comer exhibits a remarkable range, embodying a stoic and heartless assassin. What sets Villanelle apart is her unabashed pleasure in inflicting pain, an aspect that instills fear in viewers. The character's multifaceted nature is highlighted further as she not only takes lives with ruthless efficiency but also injects moments of comedic relief throughout the series.

3 Sue Sylvester - Glee

2 Azula - Avatar: The Last Airbender

: Portrayed by the comedic Jane Lynch, Sue Sylvester is a constant source of frustration for Glee's New Directions. As the highly accomplished coach of the cheerleading squad, Sue bullies everyone at McKinley High, from the students and teachers to even the principal. Her fierce rivalry with Will Schuester, driven by competition for funding, leads her to constantly try to undermine the underdog glee club and its members. However, beneath her cunning exterior, Sue reveals more complexity and vulnerability as the show progresses.

Azula, a character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, stands out as a truly iconic figure. Despite her young age of 14, she possesses an extraordinary level of strategic cunning, manipulation, and raw power, which gives her a menacing and power-hungry aura. Azula's upbringing in an abusive, war-driven society has left deep psychological scars on her, leading her to inflict the same pain and suffering on others. Despite her villainous actions, fans can't help but feel a sense of remorse for Azula by the story's conclusion.

1 Cersei Lannister - Game Of Thrones

Cersei, the standout among Game of Thrones' numerous fantastic villains, consistently abuses her position of power to carry out acts of cruelty and selfishness. Initially the queen to Robert Baratheon, Cersei cleverly remains within proximity of the Iron Throne until she eventually manages to claim it for herself. While her only redeeming quality is her love for her children, once she tragically loses them all, she is consumed by nothing but hatred. This animosity drives her to allow King's Landing and its inhabitants to perish before relinquishing her rule. Throughout the show's eight seasons, Cersei successfully provokes disdain from every Game of Thrones fan.