It’s always easy to root for the hero of a show, but sometimes the anti-heroes can be fascinating to watch and become attached to as well. Many beloved TV series have focused on characters who are deeply flawed, if not outright evil.
To identify the top TV shows featuring anti-heroes, 24/7 Tempo looked at audience ratings from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Shows were ranked based on their average IMDb user rating as of January 2022. Only series that focused on anti-heroes or morally complex protagonists were included. In the instance of ties, the show with more user reviews received a higher ranking. All additional information was sourced from IMDb.
The top show on our list is “Breaking Bad.” Created by Vince Gilligan and starring Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer, the show follows his descent into the criminal world as a means to provide for his family. Mr. White starts manufacturing and selling crystal meth and becomes a criminal kingpin responsible for many deaths. “Breaking Bad” is widely regarded as one of the best TV series of all time, even though some critics argued that it glorifies crime.
Second place on the list goes to “The Wire,” a drama series that focuses crime, corruption, and law enforcement in Baltimore. The show features a large ensemble cast that includes real-life figures. The characters are complex: the supposed heroes have flaws and the bad guys have redeeming qualities. Creator David Simon described it as a reflection on “the American city, and about how we live together. It’s about how institutions have an effect on individuals.”
“Game of Thrones” is number 3 on the list, adapted from George R.R. Martin’s acclaimed book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire.” This neo-medieval fantasy saga has a large cast of characters that includes heroes, anti-heroes, and everything in between. The show is popular with audiences partly because of its intricate storytelling, where fortunes can change quickly and bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. (Here are the most likable TV characters of all time.)
Here are the greatest anti-hero shows of all time:
25. Californication
- IMDb rating: 8.3/10
- IMDb user votes: 176,767
- Cast: David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone, Evan Handler, Pamela Adlon
- Series run: 2007-2014
24. 24
- IMDb rating: 8.3/10
- IMDb user votes: 180,606
- Cast: Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carlos Bernard, Dennis Haysbert
- Series run: 2001-2010
23. Ozark
- IMDb rating: 8.4/10
- IMDb user votes: 224,481
- Cast: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner
- Series run: 2017-2022
22. Boardwalk Empire
- IMDb rating: 8.5/10
- IMDb user votes: 181,704
- Cast: Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham
- Series run: 2010-2014
21. Shameless
- IMDb rating: 8.5/10
- IMDb user votes: 223,506
- Cast: Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy, Ethan Cutkosky, Jeremy Allen White
- Series run: 2011-2021
20. Sons of Anarchy
- IMDb rating: 8.5/10
- IMDb user votes: 281,088
- Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Mark Boone Junior, Kim Coates
- Series run: 2008-2014
19. Justified
- IMDb rating: 8.6/10
- IMDb user votes: 93,816
- Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts
- Series run: 2010-2015
18. Deadwood
- IMDb rating: 8.6/10
- IMDb user votes: 101,668
- Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Brad Dourif
- Series run: 2004-2006
17. Mad Men
- IMDb rating: 8.6/10
- IMDb user votes: 225,046
- Cast: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones
- Series run: 2007-2015
16. Dexter
- IMDb rating: 8.6/10
- IMDb user votes: 697,258
- Cast: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, James Remar
- Series run: 2006-2021
15. The Shield
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- IMDb user votes: 77,484
- Cast: Michael Chiklis, Catherine Dent, Walton Goggins, Michael Jace
- Series run: 2002-2008
14. Oz
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- IMDb user votes: 95,134
- Cast: Ernie Hudson, J.K. Simmons, Lee Tergesen, Dean Winters
- Series run: 1997-2003
13. Curb Your Enthusiasm
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- IMDb user votes: 119,219
- Cast: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman
- Series run: 2000-2024
12. BoJack Horseman
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- IMDb user votes: 135,455
- Cast: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul
- Series run: 2014-2020
11. Rome
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- IMDb user votes: 163,950
- Cast: Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kerry Condon
- Series run: 2005-2007
10. House of Cards
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- IMDb user votes: 486,972
- Cast: Kevin Spacey, Michel Gill, Robin Wright, Kate Mara
- Series run: 2013-2018
9. Seinfeld
- IMDb rating: 8.8/10
- IMDb user votes: 288,434
- Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
- Series run: 1989-1998
8. The Mandalorian
- IMDb rating: 8.8/10
- IMDb user votes: 386,119
- Cast: Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Giancarlo Esposito, Chris Bartlett
- Series run: 2019-Present
7. Peaky Blinders
- IMDb rating: 8.8/10
- IMDb user votes: 439,737
- Cast: Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Helen McCrory, Sophie Rundle
- Series run: 2013-Present
6. Sherlock
- IMDb rating: 9.1/10
- IMDb user votes: 868,894
- Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves
- Series run: 2010-2017
5. The Sopranos
- IMDb rating: 9.2/10
- IMDb user votes: 355,142
- Cast: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli
- Series run: 1999-2007
4. Rick and Morty
- IMDb rating: 9.2/10
- IMDb user votes: 451,457
- Cast: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke
- Series run: 2013-Present
3. Game of Thrones
- IMDb rating: 9.2/10
- IMDb user votes: 1,927,269
- Cast: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey
- Series run: 2011-2019
2. The Wire
- IMDb rating: 9.3/10
- IMDb user votes: 313,676
- Cast: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Wendell Pierce
- Series run: 2002-2008
1. Breaking Bad
- IMDb rating: 9.4/10
- IMDb user votes: 1,633,865
- Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt
- Series run: 2008-2013