Top 10 Most Badass TV Series Characters
Some TV characters walk onto the screen and instantly make you sit up straighter. Not because they're nice. Not because they make good choices. But because they're the kind of people you'd definitely want on your side in a knife fight or a nuclear standoff.
You're not here for the safe, the sweet, or the sensible. You're here for the ones who barrel through chaos like they ordered it special. The ones who don't blink when things go sideways. The ones who can outfight, outthink, or outlast just about anyone, all while looking like they've slept two hours in the last five years.
This isn't a list about moral fiber or happy endings. It's about grit, style, and unflinching presence. Sometimes they're the hero. Sometimes they're the villain. Sometimes you can't even tell the difference. But if the room's on fire, they're probably lighting the match.
Scroll through, vote for the ones who deserve it, and maybe add that one character you keep telling your friends could "absolutely destroy everyone else on this list, no contest." You know who they are.
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Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)
Daryl Dixon is a fictional character from the American television series The Walking Dead, portrayed by Norman Reedus. He is an original character created for the show and does not appear in the comic book series. Daryl has become one of the most popular and enduring characters in the franchise.
This dude should be number one. He is bad to the bone! Anyone who thinks he isn't is crazy and out of their mind.
The southern badass. If he dies, then AMC would have to end The Walking Dead because he's the reason The Walking Dead is still on fire.
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Frank Castle (The Punisher)
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Walter White (Breaking Bad)
Walter Hartwell White Sr. is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the television series Breaking Bad, portrayed by Bryan Cranston. At 50 years old, he is a high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Facing financial difficulties... read more
Just rewatching Breaking Bad, and Walter White's transformation is simply unmatched. In roughly 30 episodes, Walter arcs from being a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher to the most cunning and ruthless character in modern TV history.
Sure, there have been characters more evil and violent, but Walter White goes to the top by being brilliantly written by V. Gilligan and acted by Bryan Cranston. Cranston is not unlike Charles Bronson in the craggy looks department - but unlike Bronson, Cranston can not only act but is buoyed by being on what was one of the most complete series in TV history.
Walter White is one of the deepest characters in modern television. Take a weak, timid, and angsty teacher who seemed scared of his own shadow, watch him get diagnosed with terminal cancer, and see the transformation into Heisenberg. A ruthless, on-the-edge intelligent and dangerous drug lord who will stop at nothing to get things his way. Definitely worthy of the number one spot.
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Omar Little (The Wire)
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Jack Bauer (24)
The list is not worth the read if Jack Bauer isn't obviously first. Frank Castle is the only one in his bracket.
Definitely the most badass TV character and the one with the most unexpected (badass) plans.
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Jax Teller (Sons of Anarchy)
Jackson "Jax" Teller is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the FX crime drama television series Sons of Anarchy, created by Kurt Sutter. He serves as the vice president and later president of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original (SAMCRO) chapter. Jax struggles with the... read more
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Dexter Morgan (Dexter)
Dexter Morgan is a fictional character who serves as the antihero in a series of novels by Jeff Lindsay. The series begins with Darkly Dreaming Dexter and continues with titles such as Dearly Devoted Dexter, Dexter in the Dark, Dexter by Design, Dexter Is Delicious, Double Dexter, and Dexter's Final... read more
Very badass. Check yourself if you don't believe me.
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Eric Broussard (Colony)
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Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones)
Tyrion Lannister is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novel series by American author George R. R. Martin, as well as its television adaptation Game of Thrones. In the TV series, he is portrayed by actor Peter Dinklage. Tyrion is known for his wit, intelligence, and complex... read more
Don't let his appearance fool you. "A very small man can cast a very large shadow."
He is a bullet. Small but deadly.
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Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead)
Richard "Rick" Grimes is a fictional character and the protagonist in the comic book series The Walking Dead, as well as its television adaptation. He is portrayed by Andrew Lincoln in the TV series. Rick is a former sheriff's deputy who becomes the leader of a group of survivors during a zombie apocalypse... read more
He literally bit out another guy's throat. He deserves at least top 5.
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Michael Scofield (Prison Break)
Michael J. Scofield, played by Wentworth Miller, is a fictional character and one of the two protagonists of the American television series Prison Break. He is portrayed as a structural engineer who devises an elaborate plan to help his brother escape from prison. The character appears in all five seasons... read more
The smartest character I have ever seen.
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Michael Samuelle (La Femme Nikita)
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Sandor Clegane (Game of Thrones)
Sandor Clegane, nicknamed The Hound, is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin. He also appears in its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Known for his brutal demeanor and scarred face, Sandor serves as a complex antihero... read more
He motivates his soldiers, kills people, and lives in the most badass ways imaginable.
The most badass, hardcore character!
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Cullen Bohannon (Hell on Wheels)
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Ragnar Lothbrok (Vikings)
By far one of the greatest acting performances on a show. The character is so unusual compared to what you see in other TV shows. The closest character I could compare him to is the Joker with Heath Ledger.
In my opinion, he should be the number 1. I've watched all these series, and none of them can compare to Ragnar.
His character development was stellar, and there wasn't a more badass character in the series. He should at the very least be above Jax from SOA.
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Arya Stark (Game of Thrones)
Arya Stark is a fictional character created by American author George R. R. Martin. She is a prominent point-of-view character in Martin's award-winning A Song of Ice and Fire series and a main character in HBO's adaptation of the series, Game of Thrones. Arya is known for her development from a rebellious... read more
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John Reese (Person of Interest)
If you watched the show, you'd know he's top 5. Maybe top 3 on this list. He's right next to Frank Castle.
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Michonne (The Walking Dead)
Michonne is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead. She is portrayed by Danai Gurira in the television series of the same name. Michonne is known for her katana skills and strong leadership, becoming a key figure in the survivor community.
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Don Draper (Mad Men)
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Daario Naharis (Game of Thrones)
Daario Naharis is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novel series by American author George R. R. Martin. He appears in its television adaptation Game of Thrones. In the series, he is a skilled and flamboyant sellsword who becomes a loyal follower of Daenerys Targaryen.
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Nikita (La Femme Nikita)
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Horacio Carrillo (Narcos)
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James "Sawyer" Ford (Lost)
It's hard to choose the one tough guy or girl from Lost, but if I'd have to choose, it must be Sawyer.
James Sawyer Ford is an absolute badass and one of the best characters on TV.
The greatest male character ever!
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Merle Dixon (The Walking Dead)
Merle Dixon is a fictional character from the horror drama television series The Walking Dead, which airs on AMC in the United States and is based on the comic book series of the same name. The character is portrayed by actor Michael Rooker. Merle is the older brother of Daryl Dixon and plays a recurring... read more
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Mike Ehrmantraut (Breaking Bad)
Michael "Mike" Ehrmantraut is a fictional character in Breaking Bad and its spinoff prequel Better Call Saul. He is portrayed by actor Jonathan Banks. Mike is a former police officer who becomes a private investigator, head of security, and fixer for Gus Fring.
He's a no-nonsense tough guy who gets things done and cares deeply for his granddaughter.
His portrayer was barely acting. He seems like quite a badass in real life too!
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Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)
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Russell "Stringer" Bell (The Wire)
