Star Wars TV exhibits have launched and/or featured myriad good villains over time, however some Star Wars TV present villains are so significantly better than others. Though films had been the secret in Star Wars for many years, TV exhibits have develop into more and more necessary.
In reality, a lot of Star Wars’ best TV shows have been launched inside the final 5 or so years, together with titles like Andor and The Mandalorian. But, whereas a few of these exhibits have completely nailed new or returning villains, some have fumbled the ball, so to talk. This is each canon, mainline Star Wars TV present, ranked by the power of its villains.
11
Star Wars Resistance
Star Wars Resistance is a canon Star Wars TV present, nevertheless it usually is not thought of a very sturdy one. Resistance is ready inside the sequel trilogy period, with the present starting simply earlier than Star Wars: The Drive Awakens and ultimately overlapping with it.
Due to that timing, there is no shock that the present’s principal villains embrace a number of the most important sequel trilogy antagonists, like Common Hux, together with Resistance unique characters like Commander Pyre. Sadly, these villains fall a bit flat.
A part of the issue is nearly actually that Resistance debuted in 2018, a 12 months earlier than the sequel trilogy ended with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The sequels had been already experiencing a little bit of a rocky street, so making a present earlier than the ending was even clear was presumably no straightforward feat.
10
The Guide of Boba Fett
Sadly, The Guide of Boba Fett is extensively considered as Star Wars’ worst live-action TV present. That is significantly disappointing because the titular lead, Boba Fett, is among the most beloved Star Wars characters, courting again to the unique trilogy. Nonetheless, this present did not captivate audiences.
This extends to one of many present’s principal villains, Cad Bane. Bane was really launched a number of years earlier, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as a reasonably ruthless bounty hunter. In that present, he proved to be a fan favourite, and plenty of had been excited to see his return, particularly given it was additionally his live-action debut.
But, Cad Bane, together with the present’s different principal villains, the Pyke Syndicate, are removed from being the perfect villains in Star Wars TV exhibits.
9
Skeleton Crew
Skeleton Crew was fairly an attention-grabbing addition to Star Wars films and TV exhibits, for myriad causes. For one, it was set within the New Republic Period of the Star Wars timeline, between the unique and sequel trilogies. A number of different exhibits, corresponding to The Guide of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian, are additionally set throughout this period.
Even so, this continues to really feel like a interval with loads of alternatives for brand new tales, which made this significantly thrilling. Skeleton Crew was additionally one thing really brand-new, with a deal with pirates reasonably than Jedi, Sith, and/or the Skywalkers. All these elements arrange an excellent present, as did famed actor Jude Regulation taking part in the villain, Jod Na Nawood.
For probably the most half, Jod was a terrific villain. He was mysterious and compelling, and it was legitimately a pleasant change of tempo for a present to function a non-Sith (or darkish aspect Drive-user) as a villain. Nevertheless, even by the final episode, Jod’s habits felt considerably inconsistent, which made him much less villainous than he may (or maybe ought to) have been.
8
Star Wars: The Unhealthy Batch
Star Wars: The Unhealthy Batch was yet one more fascinating Star Wars present. Like Skeleton Crew, The Unhealthy Batch was a artistic break from the standard Jedi versus Sith construction, targeted on Clone Drive 99, also called the Unhealthy Batch.
This present set itself aside by that includes clones as full-fledged characters, fleshing them out significantly, particularly compared in opposition to the prequel trilogy films, which had simply barely humanized the clones. That facet of the present was completely good, and the villains of the present had been fairly good as properly.
In season 1 of The Unhealthy Batch, the principle villain was actually Admiral Rampart, though that shifted right into a higher deal with Physician Hemlock over time. General, although, the true villain of the Unhealthy Batch was actually the Empire/Palpatine.
This particularly grew to become clear within the remaining season of the present, which noticed the Unhealthy Batch’s youngest member, Omega, kidnapped and experimented on. With all three villains, although, the story arcs had been compelling and the stakes felt legitimately excessive (particularly as a result of we did not actually know what occurred to the Unhealthy Batch till The Bad Batch season 3 finale).
7
Ahsoka
In contrast to a number of different installments on this checklist, Ahsoka felt very tied to the Jedi and the bigger Skywalker Saga because the titular lead, Ahsoka Tano, was Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi Padawan. Nevertheless, the present did nonetheless handle to introduce some good new villains.
Alongside Morgan Elsbeth and Grand Admiral Thrawn, each of whom had been seen earlier than, Ahsoka launched grasp and apprentice duo Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati, each of whom had been quick hits. Neither Shin nor Baylan are Sith, though they actually aren’t Jedi both; they’re extra on the darkish aspect than the sunshine, to make sure.
It is maybe for that reason that audiences took to Baylan and Shin so shortly and so strongly. That is solely excellent news, as the 2 will likely be returning in Ahsoka season 2, which has reportedly simply wrapped filming and is ready to be launched someday subsequent 12 months.
6
Obi-Wan Kenobi
One would assume that Obi-Wan Kenobi would have been obtained with open arms, not solely as a result of Obi-Wan is one among Star Wars’ best characters, but in addition as a result of the present noticed the returns of prequel trilogy Obi-Wan actor Ewan McGregor and Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen to Star Wars.
Sadly, that did not go fairly proper, as many took difficulty with the present for varied causes, together with points with one of many present’s villains, Reva. Reva was launched as one of many Imperial Inquisitors, darkish aspect Drive-users who reported to Darth Vader himself in the course of the Darkish Occasions.
It can’t be neglected that a part of the backlash to Reva was rooted in racism towards the actor, Moses Ingram, which even Ewan McGregor addressed head on and really publicly. That is clearly a disgrace as a result of the racist assaults hurled at Ingram had been terrible, but in addition as a result of Reva is such a greater villain that she will get credit score for.
In spite of everything, a spurned Order 66 survivor who had been only a youngling on the time, plotting for years to get revenge on Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader is definitely genius. What’s extra, the principle villain of Obi-Wan Kenobi is de facto Darth Vader, and we see him at a few of his most harmful and violent factors on this present.
5
Star Wars Rebels
Though Thrawn’s live-action debut was in Ahsoka, a number of years earlier than, he had his canon, on-screen debut in Star Wars Rebels. This present, like The Unhealthy Batch, is ready within the Darkish Occasions, so the overarching villain is in fact the Empire. Nevertheless, Thrawn actually steals the present by way of villains, and he does so brilliantly.
Thrawn acquired his begin in Legends, and Rebels felt very true to that origin story as a result of it depicted Thrawn as clever, calculating, and a mastermind of warfare. He was subsequently an ideal adversary for the Rebels characters, starting from Jedi Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger to ace pilot Hera Syndulla.
Fortunately, this fascinating dynamic will proceed to be explored in Ahsoka season 2, as the Ahsoka finale revealed that Thrawn and Ezra have now each returned to the principle Star Wars galaxy, with Thrawn clearly able to attempt to rebuild the Empire below his rule.
4
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars is totally one among Star Wars’ finest exhibits, and arguably its finest animated present to this point. The complicated, seven-season nature of the present means that there have been many villains, together with fan-favorite characters like Darth Maul, Depend Dooku, and Asajj Ventress.
It is true that these villains are unbelievable, with particularly Ventress stealing the present at many factors (which is especially spectacular, on condition that this was her canon debut, which can’t be stated of the opposite aforementioned villains). As has develop into true of Star Wars extra broadly, although, the actual villain of The Clone Wars is Palpatine, and it is one of many biggest Palpatine tales total.
Whereas the prequels made it clear that Palpatine was a genius, together with being one among Star Wars’ most powerful Sith, it was actually The Clone Wars that confirmed simply how masterfully he had plotted the downfall of the Jedi and the Republic and the rise of his Empire.
3
The Acolyte
The Acolyte proved to be one among Star Wars’ most controversial additions, and the backlash to The Acolyte continues even now, a full 12 months after the present was canceled. Regardless of the negativity surrounding the present, although, Qimir/the Stranger is definitely among the best Star Wars TV present villains.
Performed by Manny Jacinto, Qimir was launched as Star Wars’ latest Sith, and he revealed himself to be not solely highly effective within the Drive but in addition an extremely expert duelist, reducing down a number of Jedi in The Acolyte episode 5. What’s extra, Qimir felt like one thing really new within the franchise.
In reality, whereas Qimir did proceed the Star Wars trend of shirtless villains, he additionally had a lot potential to develop into a really formidable villain. Sadly, with The Acolyte season 2 seemingly being completely squashed, we might by no means see what may have come of that character.
2
The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian has develop into probably the most beloved elements of the franchise, which is probably why the present is getting its personal film, The Mandalorian and Grogu. Whereas loads of love is directed on the main characters, bounty hunter and Mandalorian Din Djarin and his now-adopted Drive-sensitive son, Grogu, the villains of The Mandalorian are additionally celebrated.
This actually contains Moff Gideon, who’s the principle villain within the present. Portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, Moff Gideon is a superb villain, completely balancing being a real menace to the protagonists whereas additionally being a lot charismatic and compelling in his personal proper.
For that cause, many are hoping that, one way or the other, Moff Gideon returns in The Mandalorian and Grogu, regardless of his dying in The Mandalorian season 3 finale. That continues to be to be seen, as that film will not be launched till Could 2026, however both approach, Moff Gideon stays one among Star Wars’ finest TV present villains.
