TV Shows That Made Us Root for the Villain

Television has spent the last few decades putting antagonists at the center of the story. Crime sagas, political thrillers, psychological dramas, and even anime have given viewers full access to characters who break laws and rules while carrying entire series on their shoulders.

This list gathers twenty five shows that follow mob bosses, cartel figures, con artists, assassins, and other dark leads. Each entry notes creators, networks, settings, and key production facts that explain how these series built their worlds around characters we are usually told to fear.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Vince Gilligan created this AMC drama about Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque who turns to meth production with former student Jesse Pinkman. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul lead the cast with Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, and Giancarlo Esposito in major roles.

The series ran for five seasons with 62 episodes and filmed largely in New Mexico. It earned multiple Primetime Emmy Awards across acting, writing, and series categories and later expanded its universe through the prequel ‘Better Call Saul’ and the film ‘El Camino’.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould for AMC, this prequel tracks Jimmy McGill as he becomes Saul Goodman while crossing paths with cartel players and future ‘Breaking Bad’ figures. Bob Odenkirk stars with Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, and Giancarlo Esposito.

The show spans six seasons with 63 episodes and shot in and around Albuquerque. It received widespread industry recognition with nominations and wins from guilds and academies and closed narrative gaps that connect directly to ‘Breaking Bad’.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

David Chase created this HBO drama centered on New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano and his family and crew. James Gandolfini leads alongside Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, and a large ensemble.

The series totals six seasons and 86 episodes and was filmed across New Jersey and the New York area. It helped modernize TV storytelling with therapy sessions as a structural device and inspired later mob and antihero shows including ‘Boardwalk Empire’.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

Showtime adapted Jeff Lindsay’s novels into this series about Dexter Morgan, a Miami Police Department blood spatter analyst who lives a secret life as a serial killer targeting criminals. Michael C Hall stars with Jennifer Carpenter and David Zayas.

The original run spans eight seasons and filmed in Southern California while doubling Miami for many locations. The series developed a detailed code that guides the lead character and later returned with ‘Dexter New Blood’ as a follow up limited series.

‘House of Cards’ (2013–2018)

Based on the British series, this Netflix drama follows Washington power broker Frank Underwood and his partner Claire as they navigate American politics. Beau Willimon developed the adaptation with Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey leading much of the run.

Production used Baltimore and Washington settings to depict the capital and political institutions. Across six seasons the show helped establish Netflix in original scripted programming and earned awards for acting and directing.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

Bryan Fuller adapted characters from Thomas Harris for NBC with Mads Mikkelsen as Dr Hannibal Lecter and Hugh Dancy as profiler Will Graham. The series explores investigations that bring the two men into a complex partnership.

It ran for three seasons with stylized crime scenes and culinary imagery created under strict broadcast standards. International streaming extended its audience after the network run and the series developed storylines from the novels while remaining a distinct interpretation.

‘You’ (2018–2024)

Developed by Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, this thriller began on Lifetime and moved to Netflix after its first season. Penn Badgley stars as Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager and serial stalker who relocates across cities as the story advances.

The series shifts settings from New York to Los Angeles, the Bay Area, London, and other locations as Joe adopts new identities. Multiple seasons introduced new ensembles and used second person narration and social media framing to present Joe’s thinking.

‘Ozark’ (2017–2022)

Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams for Netflix, this series follows financial planner Marty Byrde and his family after they relocate to the Lake of the Ozarks to launder money for a cartel. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney lead the cast with Julia Garner in a key role.

The show ran for four seasons with location work in Georgia standing in for Missouri. It used a cool color palette and recurring lake imagery and earned major awards for acting and directing with Bateman also directing several episodes.

‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008–2014)

Kurt Sutter created this FX drama focused on an outlaw motorcycle club in a fictional California town. Charlie Hunnam plays Jax Teller with Katey Sagal, Ron Perlman, and a large ensemble portraying club members and rivals.

The series spans seven seasons and makes extensive use of club politics and alliances as story engines. It filmed primarily in California, featured recurring music cues tied to character journeys, and later spawned the related series ‘Mayans M C’.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)

Steven Knight created this BBC series about the Shelby family and their Birmingham crime enterprise after World War I. Cillian Murphy leads as Thomas Shelby with Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, and Tom Hardy among the ensemble.

The production uses period locations in the United Kingdom with a contemporary soundtrack that contrasts with the historical setting. Six series trace the gang’s expansion into politics and international trade and a follow up film has been developed.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

Terence Winter created this HBO series set in Prohibition era Atlantic City with Steve Buscemi as political figure and bootlegger Enoch Nucky Thompson. Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, and Michael Shannon appear in principal roles.

The show ran for five seasons and built large scale sets at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn for its boardwalk and cityscapes. It collaborated with Martin Scorsese as executive producer and pilot director and earned numerous awards for production design and costumes.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

This Netflix series from Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro chronicles drug trafficking in Colombia with a first focus on Pablo Escobar. Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, and Pedro Pascal lead early seasons.

Filming took place in Colombia with a documentary style that mixes narration with archival elements. After Escobar’s arc the story shifted to the Cali Cartel and later continued in a companion series set in Mexico.

‘Narcos: Mexico’ (2018–2021)

A companion to ‘Narcos’, this Netflix series follows the rise of the Guadalajara cartel under Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. Diego Luna and Michael Peña lead season one with Tenoch Huerta and Scoot McNairy among later principals.

Production filmed across multiple regions in Mexico and details alliances and conflicts that shaped cross border trafficking. Three seasons connect to events and figures referenced in ‘Narcos’ while standing as a separate narrative.

‘The Shield’ (2002–2008)

Shawn Ryan created this FX police drama about the Strike Team, a group of Los Angeles officers who blend crime fighting with corruption. Michael Chiklis stars as Vic Mackey with Walton Goggins as Shane Vendrell.

The series uses handheld camerawork and on location shooting around Los Angeles for a gritty look. Over seven seasons it explores internal affairs investigations, turf conflicts, and federal cases while earning awards for acting and writing.

‘Killing Eve’ (2018–2022)

Based on Luke Jennings novels and developed for BBC America, this series follows intelligence officer Eve Polastri and assassin Villanelle. Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer lead with season one headed by Phoebe Waller Bridge.

Four seasons rotate head writers to refresh tone and perspective while keeping the cat and mouse structure. The show films across European cities and received awards for lead performances and costumes.

‘Barry’ (2018–2023)

Bill Hader and Alec Berg created this HBO series about a Midwestern hitman who enters the Los Angeles acting scene. Bill Hader stars with Henry Winkler, Stephen Root, and Sarah Goldberg.

Production uses Los Angeles neighborhoods and industry spaces to ground its world. Across four seasons the show balances crime plots with acting class storylines and earned multiple Emmys for acting and directing.

‘Money Heist’ (2017–2021)

Created by Álex Pina, this Spanish series began on Antena 3 and was later acquired and continued by Netflix. It follows the Professor and a team of robbers who take hostages during meticulously planned heists.

The production released the story in five parts and filmed in Spain with international distribution through Netflix. Iconic masks and codenames define the crew identity and the series generated the spinoff ‘Berlin’.

‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)

Developed by Tom Kapinos and based on DC characters, this series follows Lucifer Morningstar living in Los Angeles and consulting with the police. Tom Ellis leads with Lauren German, DB Woodside, and Rachael Harris.

The show started on Fox and later moved to Netflix for additional seasons. It uses case of the week structures combined with celestial lore and completed its run with a sixth season produced for streaming.

‘Bates Motel’ (2013–2017)

This A and E series is a contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ and follows Norman Bates and his mother Norma. Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga star as the central pair.

Five seasons explore the development of the Bates family through the town of White Pine Bay. Production shot in British Columbia with a recreated motel and house set and the final season aligns closely with the events of the original film.

‘The Americans’ (2013–2018)

Created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg for FX, this series centers on two KGB agents posing as a married couple in suburban Washington during the Cold War. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys star with Noah Emmerich as an FBI neighbor.

The production uses period detail from the early 1980s and integrates real political events into missions. Six seasons chart operations that involve dead drops, disguises, and illegal travel while balancing family life and espionage.

‘Gomorrah’ (2014–2021)

Based on Roberto Saviano’s book, this Italian series from Sky Atlantic follows the Savastano clan in Naples. Marco D Amore and Salvatore Esposito lead the cast across multiple shifting alliances.

Filming takes place in Naples and surrounding areas with Italian as the primary language and international subtitles. Five seasons present turf wars, family succession, and Roman and international connections and the franchise added a prequel film.

‘Top Boy’ (2011–2023)

Ronan Bennett created this London set drama that began on Channel 4 and later continued on Netflix. Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson portray partners navigating the drug trade in the fictional Summerhouse estate.

The series appears in two parts known as the original run and the revived seasons and keeps the same core world. It uses location shooting in East London estates and incorporates social and economic pressures around housing and policing.

‘Power’ (2014–2020)

Courtney A Kemp created this Starz drama about James Ghost St Patrick, a New York nightclub owner with a major drug operation. Omari Hardwick stars with Naturi Naughton, Lela Loren, and Joseph Sikora.

Six seasons cover rival crews, federal investigations, and family strains while moving through Manhattan and Queens locations. The show launched multiple follow up series that extend stories for Tariq St Patrick, Tommy Egan, and events set in earlier decades.

‘Snowfall’ (2017–2023)

Co created by John Singleton, Eric Amadio, and Dave Andron for FX, this series follows Franklin Saint during the rise of crack cocaine in 1980s Los Angeles. Damson Idris leads with Carter Hudson and Sergio Peris Mencheta.

The production recreates 1980s South Central neighborhoods and tracks multiple perspectives including CIA operations and cartel players. Six seasons conclude the timeline as it intersects with shifting alliances and federal pressure.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

This anime from studio Madhouse adapts the manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The story follows student Light Yagami who finds a notebook that lets him kill by writing a name and the detective known as L who investigates.

The television run spans 37 episodes with direction by Tetsurō Araki. It became a gateway title for international anime audiences and later inspired live action adaptations and additional animated projects.

Share the villain led shows you would add to the list in the comments.