George R.R. Martin's Most Underrated Villains, Ranked

Published Jul 27, 2026, 8:52 PM EDT Rotten Tomatoes | Letterboxd | Metacritic Carolyn Jenkins is a voracious consumer of film and television. She graduated from Long Island University with an MFA in Screenwriting and Producing where she learned the art of character, plot, and structure. The best teacher is absorbing media and she spends her time reading about different worlds from teen angst to the universe of Stephen King. There is one reason why George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones universe works: its characters. From the first page of A Game of Thrones, the author weaves compelling characters into an immersive and deadly fantasy world. These characters were purposefully subversive, striking against typical archetypes of the genre. Even Samwell Tarly (John Bradley), who was a clear proxy for Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), the best character in The Lord of the Rings, set himself apart. Martin's characters are, above all things, complex, and he brings this to heroes and villains alike. Fans will always remember the worst villains of the Game of Thrones universe, but some are more insidious than others. The most underrated villains are the ones that are not necessarily the Big Bad of the A Song of Ice and Fire world, but characters that are subtly evil in their own special way. 5 Alliser Thorne Was Compelling In His Extremely Misguided Beliefs Image via HBO Alliser Thorne is one of those archetypal bully characters that appear in the likes of Harry Potter, but George R.R. Martin once again proves that a character isn't beholden to their origins. Thorne first appears as a trainer of the Night's Watch when Jon Snow (Kit Harington) joins up. The battle-hardened warrior feels justified in his tough-love approach to guiding the recruits, but this outlook turns into deep-seated jealousy when it comes to Jon. It is true that he needs to mold them into men who can survive beyond the Wall, but he resents Jon's prestige and the swiftness with which he rises through the ranks. Alliser was forced into the Night's Watch because he sided with the Targaryens during Robert's Rebellion and resents that he has to spend the rest of his life training arrogant boys. It is one thing to be resentful, but this resentment boils into mutiny when he and several others assassinate Jon during his command of the Night's Watch. Thorne is fascinating because he genuinely believes he is doing the right thing for the Watch. Even so, this is misguided, and his rash decision and bitterness lead to his death. 4 Alicent Is Ultimately a Selfish Character Image via HBO House of the Dragon updated the characters of Fire & Blood with a specific theme in mind. The Game of Thrones prequel considers the role of women in society when it comes to two characters vying for power. The series pulls this off by making Rhaenyra's (Emma D'Arcy) rival, Alicent (Olivia Cooke), a pawn of the patriarchy. Where Rhaenyra is given certain allowances because of her status as Princess of Dragonstone. Alicent is raised to believe in her role in the patriarchy, but this isn't what makes her an underrated villain. Alicent's true crimes come about in adulthood, when she tries to walk back every decision she has made. Unlike Alliser, who is upfront and devoted to his goals, Alicent is the opposite. She only backs up her beliefs when it is convenient. When the fates are on her side, she challenges Rhaenyra for the throne, but this changes when it turns out there are repercussions for her actions. Her lack of empathy led to two of her sons believing she never loved them and made them monsters. Even Helaena, who Alicent arguably loves the most, gets caught in the crosshairs. Her son Jaehaerys dies because of Alicent's selfishness, and when she tries to escape with Helaena, she also leaves Jaehaera by the wayside in Season 3. The patriarchy playing a role in her development makes her a fascinating character, but she is undoubtedly a weapon of destruction. 3 Criston Cole Is the Most Rightfully Hated George R.R. Martin Character If there is a shining star of House of the Dragon, it is Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). Truly a thankless role, Criston still plays an important role in the series, and someone has to do it. The prequel needed someone to exemplify the patriarchal themes of the series, and this character pulls that off 100%. Alicent isn't as villainous as Cole because she isn't held back by the wounded pride that comes with the male ego. From the start, Criston is the perfect toxic male because he blames Rhaenyra for seducing him when he was part of that decision. He holds this against her for decades and makes it all of Westeros' problem. Alicent may have had a hand in the Dance of the Dragons, but her role as a woman in this society makes her powerless in some regards. Cole is regarded as "the Kingmaker" and is so deluded by his place in the world that he dies for it in Episode 6 of Season 3. He is the worst kind of evil who blames women for all his problems, especially those of his own making. 2 Ormund Is the Perfect 'House of the Dragon' Villain Image via HBO Ormund Hightower (James Norton) isn't a villain that would entirely make sense for Game of Thrones, but in House of the Dragon, he is perfect. As opposed to Criston Cole, who is just a pawn of the Hightowers, Ormund is an intelligent snake who weaponizes some of the seediest of human behavior. His cleverness snuck a Daeron Targaryen impostor under the noses of the Blacks, but like all the underrated villains on this list, his real crimes have little to do with real warfare. Ormund's worst deeds are done against his own family members. At only 15 years old, Alicent's son Daeron is trapped in a prison of duress and anxiety. Ormund emotionally abuses those around him, pushing Daeron towards a throne he doesn't want. He does this through emotional abuse and terror. Infinitely smarter than Cole, he knows how to use people in a Season 3 arc that is compelling and terrifying. Ormund has the smarts to win against a Targaryen host, even if he doesn't have the strong stomach of a warrior. 1 Cersei Is the Most Misunderstood Villain in 'Game of Thrones' History Image via HBO Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is categorically the most underrated villain who is undeservedly loved. This is in part due to the challenge of adapting her from the books. It is hard to get a real read on the character without her inner monologue. The Game of Thrones production also went to great pains to humanize her, which creates the illusion of her being an anti-hero of sorts. The fact is that she is ruthless without any intelligence, and that makes her extremely dangerous. The real crimes of the queen regent aren't that she tries to rise above her station or that she is needlessly cruel to people: It's her stupidity. Every single decision she makes turns into a calamity, which often affects herself most of all. Her actions lead to her walk of atonement, the deaths of her children, and the demise of her house. Cersei isn't the girlboss fans may want to see her as, but a character who truly needs to be dismantled for the good of the realm. As with Alicent, just because she has been hurt by the patriarchy doesn't mean she isn't responsible for her actions. Cersei is a poor anti-hero but one of the greatest and underrated villains of the series.