Whereas a tried and true hero is simple to root for, it is sometimes the villains who make TV exhibits value watching. These antagonists are so compelling and scene-stealing that it is easy to think about them main a profitable spinoff collection of their preliminary exhibits. Making a by-product generally is a troublesome enterprise. There have to be a cause why the story must be advised, particularly because the viewers would possibly already understand how these tales finish. Many of those spinoffs would be darker than the original TV show since specializing in probably the most morally bankrupt characters means tackling intense themes.
Nonetheless, these TV villains are incredibly fun to watch, even after they do despicable issues. Witnessing how they got here to be the authors of the protagonists’ nightmares or what they do within the aftermath of the collection’ conclusion would solely make them extra nuanced. Since viewers like to hate these characters, seeing them as extra fleshed-out and three-dimensional would complicate how folks take into consideration them, making for attention-grabbing tv. Since spinoffs have grow to be extra standard than ever, it might be straightforward to seek out an viewers base for these potential exhibits.
10
Gus Fring – Breaking Dangerous (2008–2013) & Higher Name Saul (2015–2022)
Performed by Giancarlo Esposito
Breaking Dangerous is a superb instance of a collection virtually totally made up of villains. Although Gus actively works in opposition to Walter White (Bryan Cranston), Walt is arguably probably the most infamous villain of the collection. Nonetheless, since Walt’s story has already been advised, it is time to deliver Gus’ to life. Breaking Dangerous already obtained a prequel present, Higher Name Saul, which proved that the collection’ tone and themes can translate to spinoffs. Gus was closely featured in Higher Name Saul, however there’s nonetheless lots about his early years that viewers might uncover.
Seeing Gus’ youth would shine a lightweight on how he got here to be the unscrupulous man the audiences meet in Breaking Dangerous.
Seeing Gus’ youth would shine a lightweight on how he got here to be the unscrupulous man the audiences meet in Breaking Dangerous. Although this may imply {that a} new actor takes on the position, as an alternative of the incomparable Giancarlo Esposito, this might be a very good factor. Whereas Esposito has obtained common approval for his efficiency as Gus, seeing an up-and-coming actor tackle a youthful model of the position would assist the viewers separate the completely different variations of the person and probably root for him in his youth.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
Breaking Dangerous (2008–2013) |
96% |
97% |
9
The Grasp – Physician Who (1963–Current)
Performed by numerous actors
Just like the Physician, the Grasp has taken on numerous kinds all through Physician Who, each evolving with the collection. When the collection returned in 2005, it did not take lengthy for the Grasp to make an look. The Grasp may also be a Time Lord, however they’re the alternative of every part they stand for, sowing chaos and terror wherever they go. Nonetheless, with the identical stage of intelligence and ingenuity because the Physician, watching the grasp journey throughout the universe can be simply as thrilling.
The short-lived Physician Who spinoff, Torchwood, may not have lasted very lengthy, however it proved that different tales might be advised throughout the Physician Who universe, and they are often darker. Presently, the destiny of the Grasp is up within the air, however it’s clear that they are nonetheless on the market someplace and able to make bother. Nonetheless, an origin story for the Grasp might be the right companion for the up to date seasons of Physician Who. Not every Doctor in Doctor Who interacted with the Grasp, however at any time when they appeared onscreen and tangled with the Physician, it was memorable.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
Physician Who (1963–Current) |
90% |
64% |
8
Kilgrave – Jessica Jones (2015–2019)
Performed by David Tennant
David Tennant is likely to be finest identified for enjoying the charming hero in Physician Who, however his character in Jessica Jones could not be extra completely different. Kilgrave is the monster who hunts Jessica’s (Krysten Ritter) goals in Jessica Jones season 1, utilizing his skill to regulate folks to terrorize Jessica for years. One of the terrifying TV villains of the previous ten years, Kilgrave has no empathy or ethical line, which might be onerous to observe all through Jessica Jones. Nonetheless, it additionally makes him an attention-grabbing character to discover.
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A derivative that tackles his youth, which was stuffed with torturous experimentation, or the years earlier than he met Jessica, can be one of many darkest exhibits throughout the MCU. Specializing in his adolescence and his gradual transformation into an individual with out empathy would present what state he was in when he lastly encountered Jessica. Whereas there can be components of his collection that may be extraordinarily upsetting, understanding he ultimately will get what he deserves can be comforting.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
Jessica Jones (2015–2019) |
83% |
80% |
7
Katherine – The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
Performed by Nina Dobrev
Although The Vampire Diaries already has a memorable spinoff that includes one of many present’s most iconic villains, Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Katherine was the primary and finest antagonist of the collection. Although Damon (Ian Somerhalder) served as an antagonistic pressure at first, he was working to deliver Katherine again, as she had an simple energy over the folks in her life. Elena’s ancestor and doppelganger, Katherine, continuously pulled folks to the darkish facet whereas garnering stunning quantities of sympathy.
Since she was already historical by the point the Salvatores met her within the 1800s, there are a lot of centuries and intervals to discover via Katherine’s eyes. After faking her dying within the church and going into hiding, Katherine traversed throughout the U.S., discovering folks and supernatural beings to swindle and bend to her will. Discovering what Katherine was as much as throughout these years and watching her in several cultural intervals can be a enjoyable historic fantasy collection for followers of The Vampire Diaries.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) |
86% |
72% |
6
Ben Linus – Misplaced (2006-2010)
Performed by Michael Emerson
The notorious chief of the Others in Misplaced, Ben Linus, is a ruthless killer and manipulator within the present, however he at all times has a cause behind his actions. Regardless that his reasoning is commonly based mostly on flawed logic, Ben is a survivor above all and is able to align himself with whoever will supply him one of the best safety. This intuition and Ben’s simple mind assist spherical him out as a personality and make sure that the heroes on the present by no means underestimate him.
Studying extra about Ben’s previous would possibly assist make this redemption arc extra practical and would assist reply a few of the questions that audiences and critics are nonetheless asking about Misplaced.
Sadly, Ben Linus is an instance of a poorly executed character redemption in a TV show, as Misplaced rushed the story and did not make it practical that Ben had modified his methods. Studying extra about Ben’s previous would possibly assist make this redemption arc extra practical and would assist reply a few of the questions that audiences and critics are nonetheless asking about Misplaced. Although his backstory is explored via flashbacks, these solely present small moments of Ben’s formative years, which might simply be expanded right into a present.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
Misplaced (2004-2010) |
86% |
89% |
5
Kathleen Coghlan – The Final Of Us (2023–Current)
Performed by Melanie Lynskey
As pleasure for The Final of Us season 2 builds, it is enjoyable to look again on the episodes of season 1 which have come to outline the present. Whereas Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) journey is the spine of the collection, it is characters like Kathleen that make the world really feel actual. Although Kathleen is not a personality from the unique sport however an addition made by the collection, she simply suits into The Final of Us universe as a lady pushed by desperation and concern.
The Final of Us season 2 is slated to premiere in April 2025.
Melanie Lynskey was the right option to play Kathleen, and it is easy to need to watch extra of Lynskey sooner or later. After watching her stellar efficiency in Yellowjackets, the considered a Kathleen spinoff makes numerous sense. Witnessing her rise to energy and the way in which her metropolis grew and located methods to outlive within the wake of the tip of the world can be the best extension of the bigger universe of The Final of Us.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
The Final of Us (2023–Current) |
96% |
88% |
4
Love Quinn – You (2018-2025)
Performed by Victoria Pedretti
As one of many few characters who would match wits with Joe (Penn Badgley), Love Quinn seemed to be certainly one of his many victims at first however proved herself to be far more. Although Love did finally meet her finish at Joe’s fingers, she was a worthy adversary, clocking the second when Joe was dropping curiosity and shifting on to his subsequent goal. Whereas it will definitely turns into clear that Love is simply as ruthless a killer as Joe, it is nonetheless straightforward to root for Love since many points of her life pushed her thus far.
Love’s life in Los Angeles earlier than Joe might simply be tailored into a by-product collection as she grappled along with her violent tendencies and tumultuous relationship along with her brother.
Love’s life in Los Angeles earlier than Joe might simply be tailored into a by-product collection as she grappled along with her violent tendencies and tumultuous relationship along with her brother. The dynamic between Love and her brother, Forty (James Scully), is likely one of the most attention-grabbing components of You season 2 and might be the centerpiece of a by-product about Love. Even when her position in the way forward for You is over, her previous remains to be ripe for exploration.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
You (2018–2025) |
92% |
75% |
3
Lukas Matsson – Succession (2018–2023)
Performed by Alexander Skarsgård
Alexander Skarsgård is hilariously evil in Succession season 4 because the tech large Lukas Matsson. Whereas going toe-to-toe with the Roys, Matsson rapidly proves simply how a lot Logan (Brian Cox) was doing to carry Waystar Royco collectively. After his dying, the Roy siblings scramble to fill the opening he left within the firm and shut the take care of Matsson. Nonetheless, by the tip of the collection, it seems that Matsson is simply as a lot of a shark as Logan. He was at all times going to betray the Roys.
After Succession ended, many followers and critics have been unhappy to see the collection go, and it appears as if there’s nonetheless a excessive demand for exhibits inside this style. HBO’s more moderen collection, Business, has gained traction within the years since Succession ended, and a Matsson spinoff might assist fill this gap. Following Matsson at this level in his profession can be much like seeing a younger Logan Roy construct his empire and would come with loads of ruthless deal-making and backstabbing.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
Succession (2018–2023) |
95% |
88% |
2
Livia Sopranos – The Sopranos (
Performed by Nancy Marchand
Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) is taken into account one of the best anti-hero within the historical past of TV and the character who served as the idea for the archetype that is in all places on tv at this time. Nonetheless, the infamous gangster would not be anyplace with out his mom, the girl who formed a lot of who he’s. Although followers and critics obtained to see extra of a younger Livia within the prequel film The Many Saints of Newark, there’s much more to find out about Livia Soprano.
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Who she was earlier than she met Tony’s father and her dynamic with the neighborhood and the various highly effective, violent males who populated it might be attention-grabbing to see. A manipulative and shrewd lady who is aware of tips on how to play these round her, Livia has so much happening behind the scenes, which Tony ultimately realizes when she betrays him. After 26 years, The Sopranos hasn’t pale from the cultural dialog, and Livia’s story might seamlessly proceed the franchise.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
The Sopranos (1999–2007) |
92% |
96% |
1
Tywin Lannister – Recreation Of Thrones (2011–2019)
Performed by Charles Dance
The Lannisters are a robust and harmful home in Recreation of Thrones, and the patriarch, Tywin Lannister, is likely one of the extra attention-grabbing villains within the collection. Whereas there are many ruthless and terrifying antagonists within the present, Tywin is wise and cautious. He does not needlessly dole out vengeance and violence, as an alternative biding his time. In ultimately inserting his grandchildren on the Iron Throne, his plans play out over generations, even when he at all times needed the throne for himself.
Although it is his cruelty in the direction of these closest to him that ultimately leads to his dying, Tywin is fiercely protecting of his household title and is a part of an extended custom of Lannister satisfaction. Watching him develop up and seeing what life was like underneath the previous couple of Targaryens earlier than the throne was usurped can be an thrilling addition to the Recreation of Thrones universe. Whereas there are already spinoffs of the collection being produced, if any character from the unique present have been to get one, Tywin can be an excellent selection.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating |
Recreation of Thrones (2011–2019) |
89% |
85% |