Top 10 Smartest TV Villains Ever

#10: Benjamin LinusLost (2004-10)

The leader of the inhabitants of the mysterious island the show takes place on, Ben is incredibly clever and manipulative. A consummate liar, Ben has an answer for everything. Even when hes seemingly helpless and held captive (which happens a lot, by the way), Ben is constantly scheming how to get back on top. If he has any weakness, itd probably be that his desire for power or revenge can make him careless, causing him to underestimate his enemies or make costly mistakes. Still, even beaten and bloodied, Ben always has a plan.

#9: Dr. Hannibal LecterHannibal (2013-15)

Anyone familiar with the infamous cannibal psychiatrist should not find this surprising. Dr. Hannibal Lecter is brilliant, erudite, and a complete savage in his acquisition of hisparticular diet. Not only is Hannibal able to hide in plain sight and evade capture, but hes also an expert at subtly influencing others to achieve his ends. Whether its casting suspicion elsewhere, pretending to be a copycat killer, or driving his colleagues in the FBI to become as monstrous as he is, Hannibal knows exactly what makes people tick - even when he isnt turning them into his next meal.

#8: Tywin LannisterGame of Thrones (2011-19)

As tempting as it was to include the opportunistic Littlefinger instead, Tywin simply has him beat when it comes to consistency. House Lannisters patriarch wields his intelligence more effectively and brutally than any of the knights of Westeros use their swords. Tywin has served several Kings as their Hand, acting as the power behind the Iron Throne. Underhanded alliances, marriage pacts, and cunning battle strategies - he can do it all. Tywin even puts a mad dog like his grandson King Joffrey in his place! Hes arguably too ruthless though, as his willingness to do anything to advance his familys interests ends up alienating many factions - and, ironically, his own family.

#7: Gustavo FringBreaking Bad (2008-13) & Better Call Saul (2015-22)

Its debatable that Breaking Bad protagonist Walter White is even more intelligent and villainous by the end of that series. However, the sheer pedigree and longevity of Gus Frings plans, which span multiple shows, has us feeling Walt should tip his porkpie hat to his former boss. The unassuming drug kingpin not only has a brilliant head for the drug and fast-food business, hes also nearly superhumanly cautious and patient. Gus lays contingencies months or years in advance. He organizes a secret meth lab under one of his businesses. And his ability to cajole, threaten, or outthink his rivals and underlings would be admirable if it werent so damn terrifying!

#6: Jim MoriartySherlock (2010-17)

Hes Sherlock Holmess greatest rival and intellectual equal, if not superior - that should probably say it all! Jim Moriarty is a mercurial, brilliant criminal, who assists other lawbreakers in their crimes. However, his games with Sherlock test them both like never before. Moriarty crafts intricate crimes and situations that prove nearly impossible to solve. Even when Sherlock knows whos behind them, proving the truth proves incredibly difficult. As dangerous as Moriarty is for his intellect, his chaotic unpredictability is what makes him truly threatening. You just never know what Jimmy boy will do from one moment to the next.

#5: Dr. Walter Bishop a.k.a. WalternateFringe (2008-13)

The Walter Bishop most seen in Fringe is an incomparably brilliant, if troubled scientist, whose work in fringe science has led to some science fiction level technology. His alternate universe counterpart, or Walternate, is every bit as smart as our Walter, but a great deal more vengeful - getting your son kidnapped by your other self will do that. Walternate is also incredibly wealthy and the Secretary of Defense of the United States, so he has access to vast resources. He uses these resources to create and send advanced shapeshifters to our universe. Walternates also prepared to destroy that universe to save his own, and with his intellect, hes certainly capable.

#4: Professor Clifford DeVoe a.k.a. The ThinkerThe Flash (2014-23)

Sure, as a history professor, Clifford DeVoe was pretty smart. But then, he obtained metahuman abilities which enhanced his intelligence to obscenely superhuman levels. As the Thinker, DeVoe can account for nearly every variable and possibility, such that it can sometimes seem like he can see the future. Thanks to his brainpower, DeVoe is able to orchestrate complex plans within plans, even framing the Flash for his supposed death. The Flash may have the fastest body, but thanks to DeVoes stupendously quick mind, hes still usually a few steps ahead.

#3: The MasterDoctor Who (1963-89; 2005-)

The Doctor has faced several formidable intellects on their travels throughout time and space. Although Davros, the creator of the Daleks, is a close second, the Doctors oldest rival is the smartest. The Master, or occasionally the Mistress, is a Time Lord, whose travel throughout the cosmos and its history is rooted in a desire for power, recognition from the Doctor, and maybe just sadistic kicks. Although their arrogance and propensity for betrayal frequently proves their undoing, the Master is undeniably brilliant. Their plans may skew towards the overly complex, but when your main opponent is someone like the Doctor, you either go big or go home.

#2: SamaritanPerson of Interest (2011-16)

This shockingly underrated (and prescient) series has plenty of clever antagonists. As much as we reluctantly love the devious mob boss Carl Elias, his mind is still only human. [xref] Meanwhile, Samaritan is an A.I. Developed as a surveillance system, Samaritan soon exerts control beyond its intended purpose. Through its human agents, Samaritan can manipulate the populace on a terrifying scale. It just wants to protect its chargeseven if it has to exert absolute control over all of them. Advanced predictions, social engineering, and near-unlimited access to computer systems - Samaritan is everywhere and probably has more processing power than most of the humans on the planet combined!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Otto Hightower, House of the Dragon (2022-)

The Mind Behind the Green Faction

Homelander, The Boys (2019-)

Almost as Smart as He is Strong - & Hes Basically Superman

The Man in Black, Westworld (2016-22)

A Nihilistic, Genius Businessman & an Expert Gunman - a Deadly Combination

Wilson Fisk, Daredevil (2015-18)

You Dont Become the Kingpin With Brawn Alone

Kilgrave, Jessica Jones (2015-19)

The Power to Mind Control Anyone Is Useless Without Smart Application

#1: He Who Remains/Victor Timely

Loki (2021-23)

The TVA is an organization that polices and destroys timelines to prevent any from developing besides one. And its all run by He Who Remains, a.k.a. Victor Timely a.k.a. Kang the Conqueror or one of his variants. Hes a genius, multiversal conqueror, who outsmarted every other version of himself to basically take control of time itself! If that doesnt scream BRILLIANT, then what the hell does?! With his absolute control of time, theres really no defeating HWR - because hes seen it all before. And unlike nearly every other intelligent TV villain, he also technically gets what he wantseven if its not quite how he envisioned it. But thats another story.

Is there a villain whose limitless thoughts we were thoughtless for forgetting? Expand our minds by sharing your favorites in the comments!