We Can’t Stop Loving The Flawed Ones
When it comes to TV, the most compelling characters aren’t always the noble, good-hearted heroes who save the day. Nope, it’s often the messy, morally gray, and dangerously unpredictable anti-heroes that keep us glued to the screen. They may cheat, lie, steal, or even kill, but we can’t help rooting for them anyway. Let’s celebrate the greatest anti-heroes in TV history, the complicated icons we just can’t quit.
Fleabag — Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag is hilariously self-destructive, brutally honest, and often her own worst enemy. Yet behind the witty quips and messy love life is a woman searching for connection and redemption. Fans love her because she reflects the chaotic, vulnerable, and all-too-relatable sides of ourselves. Breaking the fourth wall with brutal candor, she invited us into her struggles, making her both deeply flawed and heartbreakingly human.
Thomas Shelby — Peaky Blinders
Cillian Murphy’s Thomas Shelby isn’t just a gangster, he’s a mastermind with swagger, style, and endless emotional baggage. He’s ruthless when it comes to business, but his loyalty to family keeps audiences hooked. We forgive his bloody hands because we’re captivated by his brains, charm, and tragic intensity. His rise from war-torn soldier to cunning crime boss showed ambition’s price, making him one of TV’s most magnetic and conflicted anti-heroes.
BBC, Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)
Saul Goodman — Better Call Saul
The slippery lawyer with the loud suits and louder mouth, Breaking Bad's Jimmy McGill evolved into Saul Goodman, the embodiment of moral compromise. What makes him beloved is his humanity: beneath the scheming is a man desperate for respect, identity, and survival. He’s as tragic as he is entertaining. Watching his slow transformation across two shows is like witnessing a Shakespearean downfall told with wit, heart, and devastating inevitability.
AMC, Better Call Saul (2015–2022)
Arya Stark — Game Of Thrones
Arya’s kill list alone would make her terrifying, but her journey from innocent girl to hardened assassin is impossible not to admire. Her resilience, wit, and hunger for justice made her one of the most satisfying anti-heroes on television. Plus, she gave us one of the show’s most iconic moments: “Not today”. Her arc showed the cost of vengeance, balancing her lethal skills with the vulnerability of a girl who lost everything.
HBO, Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
Vegeta — Dragon Ball Z
Once a proud villain bent on destroying Earth, Vegeta slowly became a fan-favorite anti-hero. His rivalry with Goku, sarcastic one-liners, and fierce devotion to his family made him one of anime’s most layered characters. We love him for his stubborn pride, and his reluctant growth.
Toei Animation, Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)
Vic Mackey — The Shield
A corrupt cop who plays both sides of the law, Vic Mackey is as fascinating as he is terrifying. He bends rules, covers up crimes, and manipulates everyone around him, but his dedication to his team and family gives him complexity. He’s the definition of an anti-hero we can’t look away from.
Wendy Byrde — Ozark
Wendy started as a reluctant partner in crime but grew into one of the most ruthless masterminds in Ozark. Her intelligence, pragmatism, and chilling decisiveness made her as compelling as her husband Marty, if not more so. Fans loved to hate (and sometimes even admired) her cold brilliance. She transformed from disillusioned suburban mom to cartel power player.
Don Draper — Mad Men
Charming, successful, and endlessly damaged, Don Draper lived a life built on lies and booze-soaked bravado. Despite his questionable choices, his vulnerability and charisma made him magnetic. He represented the dark underbelly of the American Dream, and we couldn’t stop watching. Don’s struggle with identity, family, and purpose revealed the emptiness beneath his slick exterior, making him a hauntingly relatable character for modern audiences.
AMC Networks, Mad Men (2007–2015)
Tony Soprano — The Sopranos
The king of TV anti-heroes, Tony Soprano was a mob boss struggling with panic attacks and family drama. James Gandolfini’s performance made him human despite his violent profession. He could order a hit one minute and have a heart-to-heart with his therapist the next, making him one of TV’s greatest characters ever. He redefined television, proving audiences could love a man who was both a monster and a vulnerable father.
Walter White — Breaking Bad
From high school chemistry teacher to ruthless drug kingpin, Walter White’s transformation remains legendary. Bryan Cranston made us empathize with Walt, even as his ego and ambition turned him into a monster. Few characters embody the anti-hero arc as perfectly as “Heisenberg”. His descent wasn’t just a story of crime but of pride, desperation, and the dangerous allure of unchecked power.
Jack Bauer — 24
Jack Bauer broke every rule in the book to save lives, often at great personal cost. He’s violent, relentless, and morally compromised, but his patriotism and willingness to do the dirty work made him unforgettable. Fans couldn’t resist his intensity and determination. Jack represented the post-9/11 hero America both admired and feared: unstoppable, uncompromising, and willing to sacrifice his soul for the greater good.
20th Television, 24 (2001–2010)
Jackson 'Jax' Teller — Sons Of Anarchy
The motorcycle club’s prince, Jax was torn between loyalty to his outlaw family and dreams of a better life. His charm, intelligence, and tortured morality made him the soul of the series. We rooted for him, even as his choices dragged him deeper into darkness. His tragic journey mirrored a modern Hamlet, with loyalty, betrayal, and destiny pulling him toward a fate he couldn’t escape.
FX, Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014)
Elizabeth Jennings — The Americans
As a KGB spy living undercover in the US, Elizabeth Jennings was icy, calculated, and terrifyingly efficient. Yet her love for her family and her quiet vulnerabilities made her sympathetic. She blurred the line between enemy and hero, leaving viewers constantly conflicted. Watching her navigate both her marriage and espionage duties revealed how ideology and love can collide in devastating ways.
Zuko — Avatar: The Last Airbender
Initially the angsty villain chasing the Avatar, Zuko grew into one of the most beloved anti-heroes in animation. His redemption arc, fueled by honor, pain, and self-discovery, was one of the show’s greatest triumphs. Fans adore him because his flaws felt real, and his growth was hard-earned. He taught us that redemption isn’t about erasing the past, but about choosing who you want to become.
Nickelodeon, Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
Nancy Botwin — Weeds
A suburban mom turned marijuana dealer, Nancy Botwin proved that desperation can lead to dangerous choices. She was reckless, manipulative, and often selfish, but her wit and charm kept audiences rooting for her. She showed that even PTA moms could have a dark side. Nancy’s double life reflected the absurdity of suburban pressures and the thin line between provider and criminal.
Gregory House — House
Dr House was a medical genius and a complete jerk, but his razor-sharp wit and relentless brilliance made him captivating. His cynicism, drug addiction, and arrogance were balanced by his unshakable dedication to saving lives. We loved him because he was brutally honest and always right—even when he was wrong. His prickly exterior hid deep pain, making his character both frustrating and deeply human.
Olivia Pope — Scandal
The ultimate fixer, Olivia Pope bent laws and morals to protect her clients and her own secrets. Fierce, stylish, and commanding, she redefined what it meant to be a complicated TV protagonist. Fans loved her for her brilliance and boldness, and she showed how power and vulnerability could exist in the same person.
Marty Byrde — Ozark
Financial advisor turned cartel money launderer, Marty Byrde was calm under pressure and terrifyingly good at crime. His ability to rationalize every horrible choice made him compelling, and his strained family dynamic added emotional depth. He embodied the everyman-turned-anti-hero perfectly.
Dexter Morgan — Dexter
A serial killer who only killed other killers, Dexter had one of TV’s most fascinating moral codes. Michael C Hall made him oddly sympathetic, even lovable, despite his dark double life. Viewers tuned in week after week to see how long his secret could last.
Showtime, Dexter (2006–2013, 2021)
Siobhan 'Shiv' Roy — Succession
Shiv was sharp, manipulative, and endlessly ambitious. She thrived in the toxic Roy family empire, often outmaneuvering her siblings with cold brilliance. Fans loved her biting one-liners and complex mix of insecurity and ruthlessness. She was both victim and villain of her family’s power games.
Omar Little — The Wire
Omar robbed drug dealers for a living, but his strict personal code and fearless attitude made him legendary. Michael K Williams brought him to life with charisma and gravitas. Omar whistling down the street became one of TV’s most iconic anti-hero moments. His character defied stereotypes, becoming one of the most groundbreaking figures in TV history.
Jaime Lannister — Game Of Thrones
Introduced as a villain, Jaime’s arc revealed a man struggling with honor, shame, and redemption. From pushing Bran out a window to his complicated relationship with Brienne, Jaime kept viewers on edge. He was flawed, fascinating, and deeply human. His transformation reminded us that even villains can be layered and sympathetic.
HBO, Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
Captain Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds — Firefly
Mal Reynolds was a smuggler, outlaw, and reluctant hero with a sarcastic streak a mile wide. His moral compass was skewed, but his loyalty to his crew and sense of justice made him endearing. He remains one of sci-fi’s most beloved rogues.
Frank Castle — The Punisher
Fueled by vengeance after losing his family, Frank Castle became a brutal vigilante. He was violent, uncompromising, and relentless, but his pain made him sympathetic. Fans embraced him as a raw, unfiltered take on justice. His relentless pursuit of vengeance made him a terrifying yet strangely admirable figure.
Netflix, The Punisher (2017–2019)
Jackie Peyton — Nurse Jackie
A brilliant nurse with a drug addiction, Jackie Peyton was both savior and saboteur. Her compassion for patients clashed with her self-destructive behavior, making her a layered and complex character. Viewers couldn’t help but root for her recovery. Her balancing act between healer and addict made her both frustrating and endearing.
Showtime, Nurse Jackie (2009–2015)
Ray Shoesmith — Mr Inbetween
An Australian hitman with a dark sense of humor, Ray balanced brutal violence with surprising tenderness toward his family. His dry wit and moral contradictions made him an underappreciated gem of TV anti-heroes. He showed that even the most dangerous people could have quiet, tender moments.
Annalise Keating — How To Get Away With Murder
Viola Davis brought Annalise to life as a brilliant, flawed lawyer with secrets of her own. Fierce, manipulative, and deeply vulnerable, she embodied the perfect storm of charisma and moral complexity. Fans admired her strength as much as they feared her wrath.
ABC Studios, How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020)
Elliot Alderson — Mr Robot
As a hacker battling both corporations and his own mental health struggles, Elliot was brilliant, paranoid, and unreliable. His social awkwardness and vulnerability made him relatable, even as he committed questionable acts. Rami Malek’s performance turned him into an unforgettable anti-hero for the digital age.
USA Network, Mr. Robot (2015–2019)
Patty Hewes — Damages
Patty Hewes was a ruthless lawyer who would destroy anyone in her path. Glenn Close gave her a terrifying charisma, making her both admirable and fearsome. She blurred the line between justice and vengeance like no other. Patty’s brilliance and coldness made her a standout in the legal thriller genre.
Eve Polastri — Killing Eve
Obsessed with catching an assassin, Eve’s moral boundaries quickly unraveled. Her dangerous fascination with Villanelle made her unpredictable, thrilling, and endlessly watchable. She proved that obsession can turn even the most well-meaning characters into anti-heroes. Watching her unravel made for addictive TV.
BBC America, Killing Eve (2018–2022)
Bumpy Johnson — Godfather Of Harlem
Based on the real-life crime boss, Bumpy Johnson was both ruthless and principled. He ruled Harlem with an iron fist, but his fight against systemic oppression made him sympathetic. His charisma and complexity made him a standout anti-hero. He was feared, admired, and impossible to ignore.
MGM+, Godfather of Harlem (2019– )
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