Every TV show has a villain or villains. Unless, of course, it is one of those shows that has decided to step away from the norm. Generally, villains are the driving mechanisms of a story and the one that pushes the protagonist to the forefront while making them look good. A villain, more often than not, has their own reasoning or story and thus, comes with much depth and complexity similar to the protagonist.

Throughout the years, there have been some villains that have left the viewers astonished. This is partly because of how good the villain’s story and creation are and also, the way in which the specific actor has performed them. Unlike films, TV shows have so much time to dig deep into the villains. However, the first impression is the one that matters the most. Also, this introductory scenario can leave a lasting impact on the viewer and might even determine the villain’s success. So, this article looks at some of the best villain introductions in TV show history. The show does not have to be great, nor does the villain have to be great for their entrance to be brilliant.

10 The Vampire Diaries - Katherine

     CBS Television Distribution & Warner Bros. Television Distribution

Based on the fiction series by L. J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries was released in 2009 and the series ended in 2017. However, following the success of this particular show, there have been multiple sequels including The Originals. This is one series that introduced so many villains that it was not easy to keep track of them. From vampires and vampire hunters to witches and doppelgängers, the show was filled with mythical creatures, in turn, tapping into the supernatural element. Almost all of these villains had some exciting entrances. However, there is one villain that stood out from the rest thanks to her continuous involvement in the series and her extraordinary entrance. Katherine (Nina Dobrev) enters the series in the final episode of season one. Given that she is the exact replica of the protagonist, Elena, she poses as Elena to trick both the audience and the characters. Thus, it was definitely a shock to see when she pulls off one of her evil acts by cutting off Elena’s uncle’s finger and then standing behind an unaware Elena.

9 Avatar: The Last Airbender - Azula

     MTV Networks

This cartoon has been an absolute favorite among many generations. Recently, following Netflix’s launch of an Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series, the name has been taking over many headlines. While Lord Ozai might have been the main antagonist of the show, Azula goes on to overshadow her father. This is simply because she is portrayed as someone who is way eviler than Ozai and is constantly seen appearing and causing trouble for Aang and his team. Even though young Azula makes a brief appearance in a flashback in Book One: Water, where she smirks at Zuko’s burnt face, it was at the end of this season when she is given the task of capturing Zuko and Iroh, that the show hints out at her power. This, obviously, goes on to foreshadow the evilness that is about to follow Aang and his team. Azula finally makes her big entrance in the first episode of Book Two: Earth, where we see her commanding her crew.

8 The Good Place - Michael

     NBCUniversal Television Distribution

Played by Ted Danson, Michael is introduced to us as the architect of the “good place” neighborhood and someone who is quite charming. Throughout the first season of the show, Michael tries his best to accommodate to all the needs of the good place citizens. In fact, some viewers might even have considered Michael to be one of the best characters of the show. That is until the final episode of the first season where it is revealed that Michael is actually a demon from the Bad Place whose task is to torture humans. Interestingly, all this is revealed, or rather figured out by Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) and until Michael’s villainous laugh is brought out, the viewers were happily tricked by his “good nature”. However, Michael ends up having one of the best character developments and winning back the viewers.

7 Killing Eve - Vilanelle

     IMG

It is no debate that every role that Jodie Comer takes over is tackled by her so perfectly that it is hard to imagine anyone else portraying that role. Killing Eve’s Vilanelle is one such character. Introduced in an everyday café setting, the camera seems to focus heavily on Vilanelle’s extremely cold and almost inhuman nature. The way in which she stares at the little girl while eating her ice cream and the little girl’s initial scared reaction to her is a clear foreshadowing of how dangerous this villain is. However, during a brief moment we see Vilanelle trying to imitate the barista’s smile, which she seemingly succeeds in doing. Yet again, for those familiar with psychopath portrayals in films, it is very obvious that Vilanelle’s smile is a mere facade. This is then confirmed through her knocking over the child’s ice cream. This introduction is one brilliant, even though simple, way to portray a psychopath and thus, can be seen as a perfect capturing of Vilanelle’s character.

6 Game of Thrones - Night King

     Warner Bros. Television Distribution

Yet another show with so many villains, Game of Thrones became an instant hit while gathering a large group of die-hard fans. However, out of all the villains, Night King (Vladimir Furdik) might have been the scariest simply due to his undead army and powers. The Night King first makes his appearance in season four of the show, where Brandon Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) sees some visions from the past, present, and the future. However, out of all the visions, the one that stands out the most is the Night King approaching to take Craster’s last son. He holds this tiny baby and with a mere touch converts him to a White Walker, in turn, demonstrating his power.

5 Breaking Bad - Gus

     Sony Pictures Television

Gus is one mysterious character in Breaking Bad, in turn making him the perfect antagonist to the story. This particular character, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, in the 11th episode of the second season. While Walt (Bryan Cranston) waits for the restaurant to close, the camera focuses on his reflection through the window where Gus comes behind him, seemingly minding his own business. This particular introductory mis-en-scene perfectly captures the two characters’ conflict and how they are the foils of each other. Gus is also able to fool the viewer as much as he fools Walt and other characters of the show.

4 Loki - He Who Remains

     Disney Platform Distribution

The MCU might have many villains, but Loki brings out the character of He Who Remains, in turn, linking him to the upcoming MCU productions. In the fifth episode of the first season, He Who Remains is mentioned and presented in a subtle way so that none of the main characters or the viewers acknowledge the threat he poses. That is, until the finale of the first season. Interestingly, his character seems to be less threatening due to his comedic nature, but it is revealed that he is definitely one character that the Avengers will not be able to get rid of easily. He Who Remains makes his entrance and illustrates his power, which might be considered as surpassing that of the MCU’s initial villain, Thanos.

3 WandaVision - Agnes

The revelation of Agnes as Agatha Harkness, a dark magic-practicing witch in WandaVision, is probably one of the biggest plot twists in the MCU. Played by Kathryn Hahn, Agatha enters the series as a chatty and annoying neighbor. Her annoyance is the very reason why she is ignored and not seen as a possible villain. However, she finally reveals herself as the witch who has been messing up Wanda’s version of “reality”.

2 Alice In Borderland - Mira

     Netflix

Alice in Borderland has become a popular Japanese sci-fi thriller thanks to its very complex nature and action-packed storyline. Thus far, the character of Mira (Riisa Naka) has been regarded as the main antagonist of the show. Mira was first introduced in season one as another player who is part of Hatter’s inner circle. Her first appearance portrayed her as someone who is cheerful and elegant-looking. Thus, it was hard to even consider her to be a villain until she revealed her evil nature at the end of the first season. She is comparable to Alice in Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts. Nonetheless, Arisu and Usagi were able to beat her and even change her. As she departs, she hints out that she might not be the main villain of the show.

1 Sherlock - Moriarty

     BBC

This British mystery crime drama ranks first in the list of villain entrances simply because the character of Moriarty is one that haunts both Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the viewers throughout the whole series. Andrew Scott does a phenomenal job in his portrayal of Moriarty. Unbeknownst to the viewers and Sherlock, Moriarty makes his appearance as a closeted gay man who Molly is seeing. However, he continues to cause trouble for and even fool this exceptionally brilliant detective. Moriarty finally makes Sherlock aware of who he is in the episode “The Great Game”, where he comes face to face with the protagonist and almost convinces him to kill himself. This entrance clearly reveals how equally smart and powerful he is when compared to the protagonist.