10 TV Heroes Who Became Villains (& Why)

There are numerous instances of a television hero transforming into the primary villain. Sometimes this transition is only temporary, with the character becoming a villain for a brief narrative arc. In other instances, a character’s descent into villainy is planned from the beginning and serves as a more permanent turn.

When a television series endures for a multitude of seasons, a certain degree of character development becomes necessary. This often happens to maintain audience interest and enthusiasm, proffering a compelling narrative that explores the characters’ morality. However, several beloved television characters ultimately became villains in their television series regardless of the growth they’d seen before.

10 Andy Bernard – The Office (2005-2013)

Played By Ed Helms

Andy Bernard is introduced in The Office season 3. He is initially presented as a relatively kind person, albeit an annoying sycophant with anger issues. He’s portrayed as a victim throughout his engagement to Angela, and his romance with Erin becomes the emotional core of seasons 6 and 7. However, Andy becomes thoroughly unlikable in The Office season 9, exhibiting selfish and cruel behavior, particularly toward Erin. Much of this occurs during the fallout of Andy’s infamous boat trip, which was written to give Ed Helms time to appear in various movie roles. The unfortunate result is that Andy becomes the villain in The Office season 9.

9 Willow Rosenberg – Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Played By Alyson Hannigan

Willow goes through a dramatic transformation throughout Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She is initially introduced as a mild-mannered computer nerd, too timid to stand up for herself. While she develops drastically into a self-confident and formidable witch, she still retains aspects from her adorably awkward years. This makes it even more jarring when Willow becomes the villain in Buffy season 6. Willow’s overuse of magic is used throughout season 5 as a metaphor for addiction. Despite learning to handle this, Willow relapses violently after her girlfriend Tara is killed. Willow subsequently goes on a murderous rampage and becomes the season 6 Big Bad.

8 Daenerys Targaryen – Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)

Played By Emilia Clarke

Throughout Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen is portrayed sympathetically. She overcomes enormous childhood trauma and displays great moral fortitude in her attempts to liberate Slaver’s Bay. In many ways, Daenerys represents an ethical ideal, with audiences rallying behind her as she overcomes rebellions and ascends to power. After she journeys to Westeros, however, Daenerys falls victim to her lust for power and her family’s madness. This culminates in Daenerys burning Kings Landing in Games of Thrones season 8. The woman fans had come to root for disappears as she ruthlessly destroys the city she once wanted to protect.

7 Will Graham – Hannibal (2013-2015)

Played By Hugh Dancy

It’s easy to presume that Will Graham will develop into the heroic FBI agent depicted in Red Dragon. However, the television prequel Hannibal handles the character very differently. During Hannibal, Will is substantially more influenced by Dr. Lector, even becoming romantically entangled with the killer psychiatrist. As a result, Will’s mental and moral fortitude wavers drastically, and he eventually becomes a brutal killer himself. Will’s delineation between good and evil gradually blurs, and he ultimately perpetrates murderous justice upon the serial killer Garrett Jacob Hobbs. While not as villainous as the eponymous Hannibal, Will certainly ends the series far from a hero.

6 Trish Walker – Jessica Jones (2015-2019)

Played By Rachel Taylor

Patricia “Trish” Walker is introduced in Jessica Jones season 1. She aids the titular private investigator in several heroic deeds but soon becomes jealous of Jessica’s powers. As a result, in season 2, Trish undergoes a series of experiments that imbue her with extraordinary abilities. Subsequently, Trish begins operating as a vigilante. In Jessica Jones season 3, Trish’s mother is murdered. She becomes so consumed with grief that she begins killing those she deems evil. Trish is later confronted by Jessica at the climax of Jessica Jones season 3, having fully transformed into the outing’s villain.

5 Walter White – Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Played By Bryan Cranston

Walter White is an incredibly compelling and complex character. At the beginning of Breaking Bad, Walter is sympathetic even as he ventures down the wrong path. He’s a tragic figure diagnosed with lung cancer and driven to manufacture methamphetamine to ensure his family is financially stable. However, as he slowly transforms into Heisenberg, most viewers stop rooting for Walter White in Breaking Bad. Walter segues from hero to antihero, and he eventually becomes an outright villain. He thinks nothing of murdering people or poisoning a child, becoming a power-hungry kingpin who will do anything to maintain his empire.

4 Sam Winchester – Supernatural (2005-2020)

Played By Jared Padalecki

Sam Winchester is one-half of the demon-hunting brothers in Supernatural. In the first couple of seasons, the Winchesters valiantly battle the forces of evil. However, during Supernatural season 3, Sam is bestowed magical powers that he slowly became addicted to and corrupted by. Sam became arrogant, uncaring, and violent, leading to a terse confrontation with Dean who warned him he was turning into a monster. This finally culminated in season 4 when Sam opened a portal to Lucifer himself. Thankfully, Sam’s villainous antics were only brief, and he spent much of season 5 repenting his misdeeds.

3 Rick Grimes – The Walking Dead (2010-2022)

Played By Andrew Lincoln

Rick Grimes evolved dramatically throughout The Walking Dead. In his early incarnation, Rick was a moral hero, striving to protect those dearest to him. However, the brutal and cruel world around him soon takes its toll on Rick, particularly after losing several friends and family members. The death of Rick’s son, Carl, seemed to be the last straw for Rick, who soon became as ruthless as those he purported to rally against. Rick engages in a revenge campaign against the Saviors, despite several of them saving his life. Rick’s descent into villainy is slow and somewhat justified, but is a notable shift from Rick in The Walking Dead season 1.

2 Lex Luthor – Smallville (2001-2011)

Played By Michael Rosenbaum

Though it was entirely inevitable, Lex Luther’s descent into villainy was one of the most compelling aspects of Smallville. Superman’s infamous nemesis was initially morally ambiguous. He made several attempts to counter his father’s despicable actions, but it was never evident whether his motive was altruistic or derived from his animosity towards his father. Indeed, Lex was treated horribly by his father, which garnered a lot of sympathy. In fact, in the early Smallville seasons, Lex was friends with Clark Kent, but this soon developed an all-consuming obsession with uncovering Clark’s secret. Lex eventually assumed his evildoer status in Smallville season 7, when he became markedly dastardly and wicked.

1 Jax Teller – Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014)

Played By Charlie Hunnam

Jackson “Jax” Teller was the protagonist in Sons of Anarchy, the compassionate Vice President of the eponymous motorcycle gang. Jax was repeatedly conflicted by his desire to maintain the club while also reducing its criminal elements. Jax also made concerted efforts to become a respected family man. However, as the series continued, Jax encountered violent situations which forced him to become increasingly ruthless. This culminated in Sons of Anarchy season 6 when Jax killed his stepfather. By season 7, Jax was a fully-fledged villain, exacting violent revenge on those he believed killed his partner Tara. Consequently, Jax is a prime example of a television hero who ultimately became a villain.