Top 10 Scariest TV Sociopaths

“Drake & Josh” (2004-07)

If you grew up watching Nickelodeon, first of all…are you okay? Second, you probably remember a very young Miranda Cosgrove appearing as Drake and Josh’s little sister, Megan. Megan is a typical younger sibling in that she loves torturing her older brothers, but she takes the “torture” part a little too far. Always eager to quote-unquote “prank” Drake and Josh, Megan’s antics range from spiking their food with hot sauce to subjecting them to physical and psychological anguish. What’s more, using her genius-level intelligence, she manages to keep their parents completely oblivious to her evil. As much as we hate Megan, her cruelty is often so over the top that it makes for solid comedy.

“Sons of Anarchy” (2008-14)

Portrayed by Hellboy himself Ron Perlman, Morrow is the ruthless leader of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club. While the club operates on a foundation of loyalty and brotherhood, Clay is clearly only looking out for himself. He carelessly involves the group in dangerous situations in pursuit of power and money, and has no problem causing a little collateral damage along the way. On top of that, Clay is revealed to have orchestrated the death of former leader John Teller, usurping his title and marrying his widow. Perlman has described the character as completely devoid of guilt, and this is clear in his performance. In his own twisted way, Clay appears to believe that all of his heinous actions are justified.

“Sharp Objects” (2018)

This eight-part HBO thriller features a few soulless characters, and protagonist Camille is unfortunate enough to be related to them. The most disturbing example is Camille’s teenage half-sister Amma, who proves to be a monster hiding in plain sight. Unable to share her mother’s attention with anyone, Amma maintains an innocent and childlike façade. As the story progresses, we’re led to believe that the sisters’ mother, Adora, is behind the killings of two girls in their Missouri town. But in a last-minute twist, the real murderer turns out to be none other than Amma. Could Amma’s heartlessness be the result of a toxic mother and skewed family values? Maybe, but it’s still hard to sympathize with this master charlatan in a young girl’s body.

“Gossip Girl” (2007-12)

Despite only appearing recurrently throughout the show’s run, Georgina is infamous for her ability to lie, scheme, and use the people around her without a trace of remorse. Among her crimes against the main characters are various instances of blackmail; outing her former friend Serena’s brother, Eric; and falsely pinning her pregnancy on her ex, Dan, only to later abandon the baby. Georgina’s most powerful quality is her tendency to snap back and forth between ally and archenemy. Many “Gossip Girl” fans describe her as a villain they “love to hate,” and even the actress, Michelle Trachtenberg, has referred to her as a character “from hell.” Feel free to tell us what you really think, Michelle!

“Killing Eve” (2018-22)

“Villanelle” is a pretty ideal name for someone who was born to kill – and that certainly applies to the antagonist of this British spy thriller series. A highly skilled assassin, Villanelle commits numerous brutal murders with unnerving enjoyment and creativity. The character is notable for a distinct lack of empathy, which is evident not only as she does her job, but also in her personal relationships; she seduces and discards people as it suits her. While we do get a glimpse into Villanelle’s more human side via her romance with the titular character, she remains a killer at her core.

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

This wildly successful series definitely has its share of not-so-nice characters, such as the atrocious Ramsay Bolton. But what sets Baelish, aka Littlefinger, apart from the others is his snake-like insidiousness. He has an uncanny ability to appear trustworthy to other “players” in the “Game of Thrones.” But as the show progresses, it becomes apparent that none of these bonds are real. Rather, Baelish aims to use, betray, exploit, and even eliminate those around him without a second thought. His mask of friendliness and ruthless ambition qualify him as a quintessential sociopath. And let’s not forget his super creepy dynamic with Sansa Stark. Gross.

“Mad Men” (2007-15)

Played by Jon Hamm, Don Draper is the anti-hero of the period drama “Mad Men.” Don is a charming and charismatic womanizer who puts on the act of a dashing creative professional, but has actually lived a shady life of lies. In fact, he’s revealed to have stolen another man's identity to escape his own past. But his soullessness doesn’t stop there; Don stomps his way through the professional world, regularly undermining his colleagues and manipulating everyone he comes across. He’s also a notoriously unfaithful lover and husband. Don’s emotional detachment and relentless pursuit of success, regardless of the consequences for others, make him a fascinating yet troubling protagonist.

“South Park” (1997-)

Animated characters definitely don’t get any more heartless than Eric Cartman. Though he’s only in fourth grade, Cartman is the textbook definition of a narcissist. His transgressions throughout the series’ run have included bigotry, racism, manipulation, and one particularly troubling incident in which he fed a kid his own parents. Cartman has demonstrated that he will do anything, at any cost, to get what he wants. And since he’s only around nine years old, who knows what he’ll be like when he grows up? Maybe it’s a good thing the “South Park” kids have been in elementary school since 1997.

“Dexter” (2006-13)

The titular character in this Showtime crime drama is an interesting example of a sociopath. On the one hand, Dexter displays a lack of humanity in his double life as a serial killer. He meticulously and methodically plans the execution of murders, such as the chilling takedown of the Trinity Killer. In addition, he manipulates his sister, Debra, and his girlfriend, Rita, hiding his true nature from them. But it should also be noted that Dexter channels his urges into vigilante justice, targeting other murderers who have evaded the law. He’s a multi-layered character who compartmentalizes his own personality, referring to the bloodthirsty part of himself as the “Dark Passenger.”

“Sherlock” (2010-17)

We know what you’re thinking: How does Sherlock Holmes, portrayed here by Benedict Cumberbatch, qualify as a sociopath? Don’t take our word for it; he describes himself as such, albeit a “high functioning” one. Cumberbatch’s Holmes exhibits sociopathic tendencies through his cold, calculating nature. Sherlock often disregards social norms and emotions in order to get to the bottom of his cases. He views others not so much as people, but as pieces in a living puzzle to be solved. Perhaps it’s this very absence of humanity that enables Cumberbatch’s Sherlock to single-mindedly pursue intellectual satisfaction and display unparalleled brilliance in every episode.