12 Most Memorable Villain Introductions In TV History

Television has introduced numerous iconic villains, but only a few have been able to make a lasting impression with their unforgettable introductions.

Television has witnessed the inception of countless iconic villains, but only a few have been presented in such a way that they have left a lasting mark through their unforgettable introductions. Villains can be the most memorable part of a story, as their job is to demand attention from the moment they hit the screen. Every story needs a great villain, as it gives the hero purpose, which drives the story forward and provides obstacles for the hero to overcome.

When telling stories, there is an art to crafting a truly memorable antagonist introduction. While some villains can build up over time, it is a rare few who make an unforgettable impact from the moment they appear on the screen. The first scene of the antagonist should set the tone and unveil the essence of the character to let the viewers know the formidable presence they embody. These exceptional villainous introductions elevate the overall intrigue of the show, which bring new thrilling narratives that keep audiences captivated with each twist and turn.

Michael, played by Ted Danson, was introduced as the architect of the "Good Place" and worked to ensure the new arrivals' needs were met. He ran and created a town that was full of warmth and hospitality. However, in the final scene of the first season, Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) realized that it was actually the "Bad Place" and that the seemingly benevolent Michael was, in fact, a demon tasked to find new ways to torture rotten souls. The Good Place's finale twist changed the show's trajectory, propelling it forward into its second season, with the shock that a very likable character had dark intentions all along.

Killing Eve took a simple yet effective route in introducing their main antagonist, Villanelle. Jodie Comer flawlessly brought the violent psychopath to life as the camera focused on her cold demeanor in a café. Her chilling stare unnerved a little girl at another table. Then she displayed her ability to assume different personas as she mirrored the barista's smile, which transformed her before our eyes into a more welcoming character that gained the girl's trust. Finally, her true nature came out again as she pushed the girl's ice cream onto her lap. This wordless encounter showcased her ease in changing personalities and her inherent psychotic nature, which chilled fans to the bone.

Around the midpoint of the first episode of Hannibal, Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) makes his chilling entrance into the series. The camera focuses on his hands as he meticulously handles his food before it pans up to his face when he takes a bite. For a split second before the screen goes black, his eyes meet the center of the camera, which creates an eerie sensation that makes it feel like he is looking directly at the viewers. Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of Hannibal Lecter had the audience transfixed from the moment he was introduced. This introduction of the serial killer set the stage for the sinister narrative that was to come.

While Death might not be the most prominent villain Sam and Dean take on in Supernatural, he certainly has the best introduction out of the other antagonists on the show. The character is never shown directly in his introduction, as the camera focuses on his car, accessories, and clothing. The music added to the ambiance as the song that played over the scene was "Oh Death," covered by Jen Titus. As the scene drew to a close, a man bumped into Death on the sidewalk, and as Death turned his face, the man dropped dead behind him, which showcased his lethal nature right from the start.

Orphan Black was a show that added new clones into the mix frequently, which brought intriguing and diverse characters to life. The Dyad Institute was the main protagonist, as it was the institution that controlled and manipulated the clones and cloning process. When Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) was brought into the CEO's office at Dyad, she only saw the figure of Rachel Duncan, with only a reflection of her face in the glass. However, when Rachel turned around, it was revealed that she was a clone herself, then Rachel delivered a speech to Sarah that was full of ice, which cemented her as a formidable antagonist.

Azula (Grey DeLisle) made her grand entrance in season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender, as she captivated audiences immediately with her cold and calculated demeanor as she delivered the iconic tides speech. In the speech, she displayed her cold-hearted nature as she threatened to throw one of her allies overboard to his certain death. She was merciless from the second she walked onto the screen, which showed the audience what was to come from her character. From that first interaction, Azula maintained her cruelty, only for her to become more unhinged throughout the series until her defeat.

Long thought to be dead, Katherine Pierce (Nina Dobrev) first graced the show in the dramatic finale of The Vampire Diaries' first season. Katherine moved through the episode as she skillfully fooled the characters and viewers alike under the guise of her doppelgänger, Elena Gilbert. As the episode reached its conclusion, she shared an emotional moment with Elena's biological father. However, in a twist, she shocked viewers as she mercilessly plunged a knife into John. This scene set up Katherine as a ruthless force in Mystic Falls, having left the audience awaiting what was to come from her in the next season.

From the moment Negan Smith (Jeffery Dean Morgan) stepped out of the RV with his baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, he exuded an undeniable presence. He stated that one of Rick's group must pay the price as retribution for their past transgressions. When he circled the main cast, he recited the rhyme Eeny Meeny Miny Moe, creating tension while determining who was about to die. Negan ruthlessly claimed the lives of two beloved fan favorites, Abraham and Glenn, which left a mark of hatred upon him from the start. This harrowing introduction solidified Negan as one of the most ruthless villains in The Walking Dead.

The Master's (John Simm) introduction in the second season of The 10th Doctor (David Tennant) was a meticulously crafted narrative that unfolded gradually through the season. There were subtle hints of Harold Saxton's campaign and eventual win of Prime Minister of England, a storyline that showed how Timelords could put their essence in a watch, and the Face of Boe hinted that The Doctor wasn't alone. The season reached its climatic moment in a three-episode finale as an old man The Doctor and Martha encountered at the end of the universe was revealed to be the Master after his watch opened. The newly regenerated Master stole the Tardis from the Doctor and traveled to the past, where it was further revealed that the Master was, in fact, Harold Saxton. This introduction was so intricate that audiences were blown away by all the clues they missed, which heightened the impact of the reveal.

As opposed to the typical antagonist introduction, Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) was more subdued in his first interaction in Breaking Bad. Gus portrayed an amiable owner of Los Pollos Hermanos and greeted Walter White and Jesse Pinkman with polite professionalism as they waited for their potential new partner. However, when Walter finally spoke to Gus one-on-one, his true nature emerged. The chipper guise dissolved, which then showcased Gus for the first time as the cold and calculated mastermind behind the most successful drug operation in the United States. Gus maintained control as he shifted seamlessly between pleasant host and drug lord, which left an impression on both the characters and viewers.

The introduction of The Borg in Star Trek: The Next Generation brought new life to the series' next great adversary, with their iconic line: "Resistance is futile." The Enterprise came across a ship in the episode "Q Who" that Data (Brent Spiner) said to have no conventional layout or sign of life. Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) revealed that her people had a run-in with the Borg a century ago, and it almost left them extinct. As Picard (Patrick Stewart) tried to hail the ship, The Borg transported themselves onto the engineering bay. The setup for this villainous race brought a lot of intrigue to what audiences would expect, and The Borg proceeded to become Star Trek's biggest bad.

Steven Moffet crafted the role of Moriarty (Andrew Scott) in Sherlock so intricately that his reveal left characters and audiences astounded. He was initially introduced as a closeted gay man who dated Molly (Blair Brown), the mortician. He continuously caused trouble throughout the series, but his identity remained a mystery to Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) until he made his great reveal as the infamous Moriarty in the episode "The Great Game." He challenged Sherlock more than any of his past adversaries and almost convinced him to kill himself. He is a mirror of Sherlock, and it is shown clearly in his dramatic entrance, which forever left a mark on the Sherlock series.

Emma Wagner is a freelance writer for Screenrant, obsessed with all things film and TV.