There are several TV villains that, even though their rap sheet could include the most heinous crimes, from mass murder to torture and outright being terrible human beings, somehow, fans find them the best TV villains. With the audience frowning at their crimes, but, at the same time, finding them absolutely cute and low-key rooting for them.
These are some of the best villains who managed to make fans hate them less than they should. Some, as a result of their charming personalities, or a backstory that makes them a little more than just a villain, and for others, they manage to redeem themselves just in the nick of time to get fans on their side. Even though they did not have the best behaviour, these TV villains somehow managed to get fans to love to hate them.
The TV Villains’ Deaths That Completely Shocked Fans
From the deaths of Klaus and Elijah Michelson from the Vampire Diaries franchise to the death of the demon Crowley from Supernatural, check out some of TV’s most painful deaths that, even though their reign of terror may have been over, they still had a little place in the hearts of fans who just wished their stories didn’t end like that.
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Emperor Peter III – The Great (Season 3)
As childlike and clueless as Peter III (Nicholas Hoult) seemed, he was quite the dangerous and tactical fellow. Fans of The Great came to see just how flexible and sweet he could be when he turned his attention to making Catherine (Elle Fanning) fall in love with him, so much so that he abdicated his throne.
This long, comical ride led fans to grow deeply attached to the character, despite him having an affair and accidentally killing his wife’s mother. Many fans still believe his death in the final episode of Season 3 was absolutely unnecessary, especially as Peter had already given Catherine free rein over the kingdom. At the same time, he focused on their son, George. It also did not help that the love between the two genuinely seemed real.
Rita Castillo – Why Women Kill (Season 2)
The leading lady of the Elysian Park Garden Club in Season 2 of Why Women Kill, some might say Rita Castillo (Lana Parrilla) had it coming with the way she ran and threatened the women in the garden club. However, for others, despite being a pompous bully, life still owed her a great deal. Seeing that she was stuck in a loveless marriage, practically waiting till infinity for her husband to die, while life somehow blessed him with more years than anyone bargained for.
Just when she finally broke free and could finally enjoy the fruits of her labor, she was framed and sent to prison. Leave it to that calculating and attention-seeking Alma Fillcot (Allison Tolman) to make the 1940s mean girl a surprisingly sympathetic figure, as Rita Castillo is definitely one of those TV villains fans wished did not end that way. Maybe Rita being poor and working in a diner would have sufficed.
Edie Britt’s death – Desperate Housewives (Season 5)
The death of Edie Britt in Season 5 of Desperate Housewives sent shockwaves through Wisteria Lane. Known as the neighborhood realtor and often labeled the “man-stealer” of the suburb, Edie stood out among the seemingly perfect women of the lane. While the other housewives tried to maintain flawless images, Edie openly embraced her sexuality and unapologetically used her charm to get what she wanted.
Despite her rocky relationships with the women of Wisteria Lane, Edie eventually found her place within the group and showed significant character growth throughout the series.
Her death, however, came tragically and unexpectedly. While trying to escape her dangerous husband, Dave Williams, Edie swerved her car to avoid hitting Orson Hodge and crashed into a utility pole. Although she initially survived the accident, she stepped into a puddle that had been electrified by a fallen power line and was fatally electrocuted.
While many fans consider the death of Mike Delfino one of the saddest moments in the show, Edie Britt’s death remains among the most unforgettable because of how sudden, tragic, and unfair it felt.
Crowley – Supernatural (Season 12)
Crowley was the King of Hell, and his actions reflected that after he was introduced as one of the main villains in Supernatural. While the elusive crossroads demon later became someone the Winchester brothers cared for, he was definitely one they had to tolerate. Throughout the seasons of being a recurring villain, Crowley slowly became a suspicious ally to the Winchester brothers.
Eventually, in the Season 12 finale (“All Along the Watchtower”), Crowley’s arc comes to an end when he sacrifices himself to help stop Lucifer, saving the Winchesters and allowing them to escape from Purgatory to the real world.
Brad Bellick – Prison Break (Season 4)
Brad Bellick was the weapon formed against Michael Scofield and his near-perfect jailbreak plan. The corrupt prison guard wasn’t scared of showing the prisoners who was boss, and he had no issue getting his palms greased in the process. His control over the inmates made life extremely difficult for them, specifically Scofield, who seemed to hold a special place in his “heart.” Because of that, Bellick often took things personally during the manhunt for Scofield and the other escapees.
Thanks to his actions, the corrupt captain of the guards at Fox River Penitentiary eventually found himself in Sona Prison. And somehow, the hardass got an attitude adjustment. By Season 4, after surviving the brutal Sona prison and escaping alongside Fernando Sucre, he wiggled his way into Scofield’s team. Brad Bellick died when he joined the covert government operation to take down “The Company” and recover the data drive known as Scylla. He sacrificed himself to save the team.
Katherine Pierce – The Vampire Diaries (Season 4 )
The elusive Katherine Pierce made her first impression by impersonating and making life difficult for her doppelgänger, Elena Gilbert. Her special skill was surviving, which was necessary after she pissed off a vindictive immortal with an amazingly long memory.
Besides pretending to be her doppelgänger, some of Katherine’s bag of tricks included compelling an entire town to befriend her and even becoming Elena Gilbert after using a passenger spell.
The Damon Salvatore and Stefan Salvatore brothers, alongside their friends, eventually succeeded in killing her by luring her with her daughter. However, regardless of her antics and one-woman-army energy, there was always something intriguing and entertaining about just how much chaos she caused and the way Damon would dramatically call out “Katherine” every time he realized it could only be her. That alone made fans wish they had gotten more of Katherine Pierce.
Berlin – Money Hiest (Season 1)
Pedro Alonso in Money Heist as Berlin (2021)
Berlin was the hardheaded leader of the gang during the heist on the Bank of Spain. In moments when the Professor was out of commission, he stepped in and nearly threw the Professor’s grand plan out the window with his own rigid sense of control and authority.
Despite his controversial leadership style, Berlin ultimately showed a different side of himself when he sacrificed his own safety to protect the gang, giving himself up so the others could continue the mission.
By that point, fans had already come to appreciate just how complex and compelling his character was, which is part of what led to his continued legacy in spin-offs like Berlin.
Raymond Reddington – The Blacklist (Season 10)
Leave it to James Spader’s Raymond Reddington to go out his own way, ending what he called a “futile game of whack-a-mole” between himself and FBI agent Donald Ressler.
Additionally, it’s also safe to say his mission, which started when he surrendered himself to the FBI in Season 1, Episode 1, was a colossal failure after Elizabeth Keen and Tom Keen died. The expectation was that he would stick around for Agnes Keen, but as mentioned before, leave it to Raymond Reddington to go out his own way.
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Monica Stevens – The Rookie (Season 8)
From taking down opponents in the courtroom to taking out home invaders, Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) was a badass with one hell of a power walk.
After pissing off virtually everyone from the FBI to the law, and even an unsettling army of local and international criminals — including Elijah Stone, Jakob Olmstead, and Wagner — somehow all the walls finally closed in on Monica, and she found herself at the mercy of TV’s favorite double agents.
In Monica’s case, while there seemed to be a consensus on just how much of a badass she really was, her death in Season 8 definitely left the audience gobsmacked. Hopefully, the Chenford engagement softened the blow a little, but then again, even that moment was quickly ripped away from fans.
Klaus Mikaelson and Elijah Mikaelson – The Originals (Season 5)
Klaus and Elijah Mikaelson debuted in The Vampire Diaries as basically villains’ villains. The brothers were things that go bump in the night, except in this case, they left a trail of bodies everywhere they went. Although Elijah was dangerous, it was nothing compared to the hot-tempered and vindictive Klaus.
After five hundred years of old beefs, burned-down villages, and a bloody trail in their wake, somehow The Originals gave fans a more sympathetic Klaus and Elijah Mikaelson. Regardless of how much great evil they had done, it still stung a bit when they ultimately gave themselves up for Hope Mikaelson.
Mariam Emily Adama is a copywriter, SEO strategist, and digital marketer passionate about using words to inform, inspire, and influence. With over seven years of experience writing for global brands and managing digital campaigns, she brings a data-driven yet creative approach to content creation. When she’s not writing or analyzing trends, Mariam enjoys exploring new cultures, reading, and documenting stories that celebrate African excellence.