5. Daemon Targaryen
Let me start this off by saying I love Daemon Targaryen. But I can also call him a villain. Matt Smith’s performance as the Rogue Prince certainly caught a lot of attention in season 1, and the character is one of the most complex on the show. It’s been so interesting to see the reactions to Daemon from fans of the book and new fans alike because he’s so polarizing. But it’s hard not to root for him.
Why is he a villain, if he’s such a popular character? Well, let’s see. He mocks his brother’s dead son, seduces his underage niece and brings shame to her name, he kills his own wife, and in the House of the Dragon season 1 finale, he even strangles Rhaenyra. He’s a loose cannon who’s bitter because he’s not his brother’s successor to the Iron Throne. But he also loves Rhaenyra in an unconventional, twisted way.
I could write so many words about the character Daemon Targaryen, but I’ll sum this up by saying he’s a villain we both love and hate. That’s why he’s placed around the middle of this list. He can definitely be evil, but he’s also on the side of the Blacks. So we’ll take him.
4. Larys Strong
Is it bad that the first word I think of when I hear Larys’ name is “ew”? He’s a slimy, conniving, creepy man who ends up on the small council and as the Lord of Harrenhal after scheming his way into the role. And part of that scheming involves having his own father and brother killed. It’s awful!
Like many characters we know from Game of Thrones, Larys is extremely manipulative and is an instigator. He loves finding out gossip and secrets about others and using that against people. Take Alicent. When she’s young, he targets her and tries to get on her good side. And after the time jump, we learn that they’ve formed a strange relationship where he gives her information and completes tasks for her if she gives him something in return… A glimpse at her feet. Yes, I’m serious.
Larys is capable of truly evil things, as we’ve seen in the first season of House of the Dragon. He’s certainly not to be trusted.