Villains have always been a storytelling staple, the ultimate obstacles for heroes to overcome.
But today’s TV landscape has turned the idea of villains on its head, trading the black-and-white moral divide of old for something far more complex.
Gone are the days of purely evil antagonists.
Instead, we’re in an era of sympathetic sinners — characters whose actions, however heinous, stem from motivations we can understand without outright empathizing with.
So, what sparked this shift? Why are audiences now rooting for antiheroes — or, at the very least, trying to understand the paths that led them to darkness?
Let’s dive into how TV villains have evolved and why this transformation resonates with today’s viewers.
Villains of the Past: Simple Times, Simple Evil
In the early days of TV, villains were pure caricatures of evil. J.R. Ewing from Dallas and Alexis Carrington from Dynasty schemed their way into infamy, but their motivations rarely extended beyond greed, power, and revenge.
They were unapologetically ruthless and fun to watch but offered little in the way of complexity.
Even animated villains leaned into this simplicity.
Skeletor from He-Man and Gargamel from The Smurfs were cartoonishly evil with no redeeming qualities. This worked for the times, giving viewers a clear divide between good and bad and a hero to root for.
But audiences eventually grew tired of such one-dimensional portrayals. They craved villains who felt real — messy, flawed, and disturbingly relatable.
The Turning Point: Complex Villains Take Over
The 1990s and 2000s ushered in a new breed of villains.
Tony Soprano from The Sopranos wasn’t just a mob boss — he was a husband and father grappling with depression. Walter White from Breaking Bad didn’t start as a kingpin — he became one out of desperation and unchecked pride.
These characters weren’t likable in the traditional sense but were relatable. Their actions made us uncomfortable, forcing us to question our own morality as we rooted for them.
This shift reflected a cultural moment.
Therapy culture and growing mental health awareness encouraged deeper explorations of character motivations. Villains didn’t need to be likable but to feel human.
Sympathetic Villains and the Modern Era
Today’s TV villains have taken complexity to a new level. Oz Cobb from The Penguin is a prime example.
Early on, audiences speculated that he might follow the antihero trend, but as the series unfolded, Cobb revealed himself to be the embodiment of evil — a villain who thrives on power and manipulation without apology.
In contrast, Sofia Falcone stepped into the antihero role, upending expectations and adding a fascinating moral complexity to Gotham’s dark world.
Other shows in recent years have also embraced this trend.
Jessica Jones gave us Killgrave, a terrifying predator whose backstory added depth to his monstrous actions. Killing Eve brought us Villanelle, a trained assassin blending charm, wit, and vulnerability.
Even BoJack Horseman redefined the archetype by presenting a deeply flawed protagonist whose self-destruction made him his own worst enemy.
Why do these characters resonate? Because they’re relatable.
A villain with understandable motivations feels more authentic, and audiences can see pieces of their own fears, desires, or struggles in them.
They challenge our sense of morality, causing us to question why we root for characters like Dexter from Dexter or Joe Goldberg from YOU, even when their actions are morally indefensible.
Redemption Arcs: Saving the Unsavable
The rise of redemption arcs is another key factor in the evolution of villains. Jamie Lannister from Game of Thrones is a prime example.
Introduced as a morally bankrupt villain, his character underwent profound growth, earning sympathy through his vulnerability and eventual transformation.
But not every villain is destined for redemption.
Gus Fring from Breaking Bad remained unwaveringly sinister, proving that complexity doesn’t always require change.
Similarly, Oz Cobb from The Penguin shows us that some villains are simply irredeemable — and that’s okay.
These arcs remind us that villains don’t need to be likable to be fascinating. Whether they grow or remain steadfast in their darkness, their complexity is what keeps us hooked.
While this trend has deepened storytelling, it’s not without risks.
Shows like Dahmer faced backlash for appearing to humanize real-life killers, raising ethical concerns about glorifying true crime villains.
Similarly, YOU walked a fine line with Joe Goldberg, a predator whose charm and inner monologue risked romanticizing his behavior.
When handled carefully, these stories force us to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature. But when mishandled, they can blur the line between understanding a villain and excusing them.
TV’s villains have come a long way from the one-dimensional caricatures of the past.
Today’s morally ambiguous antagonists reflect a world that acknowledges the complexities of human behavior.
From Oz Cobb’s unapologetic evil to Sofia Falcone’s reluctant heroism, these characters explore morality, justice, and power more deeply.
They remind us that the best villains aren’t just obstacles for the hero — they’re mirrors, forcing us to confront our own capacity for good and evil.
Where Do You Stand?
What’s your take on TV’s shift from pure evil villains to sympathetic sinners?
Are you intrigued by characters like Oz Cobb, or do you prefer the unapologetic charm of a classic villain like J.R. Ewing?
Share your favorite TV villain in the comments, and let’s dive into the fine line between villainy and humanity.
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