Top 30 villains in television history

Photo Credit: FX

9. The Shadow King 

Aubrey Plaza took the world by storm last year as The Shadow King on Legion. Whether it was her manic performance as the schizophrenic Lenny or the controlling monster, Plaza was one of the most memorable performances on television.

Normally a comedic actress, it was shocking to see her turn as a terrifying monster who literally overtook David Haller’s life. Yet surprise is what made the reveal so effective, with audience’s constantly wondering what was real and what was an illusion. It’ll be interesting to see how long the series can maintain her as a villain, but for now, Aubrey Plaza has been so fantastic it’s unlikely anyone wants to see her leave.

Part of The Shadow King’s effectiveness as a villain has to be credited to Noah Hawley for some truly inventive scenes. Her dance sequence was jaw-dropping and ingrained in the memory of every viewer. One of the most terrifying scenes was in black and white without any sound, a statement that most viewers would probably never expect.

The Shadow King is a parasite, that has latched onto David and turned his life into a living nightmare. Constantly changing realities and memories for David, she’s convinced him that he’s crazy. It’s actually cruel and selfish, despite Amal Fahrouk (aka the Shadow King) claiming that it’s all because he found a home within David’s mind.

Even though he’s been vanquished from Legion’s mind, he’s now attached to Oliver to destroy someone else’s life. He’s the unseen monster, a man who literally makes their host feel crazy in order to alienate him from anyone who could care.