For the first 4 seasons of the series, King Joffrey is the centerpiece, something he never stops reminding us as the audience. He isn’t nearly as insane as Ramsay, it’s more the case that he’s a spoiled brat who realizes nobody can say “no” to him, which means he can act out his sadistic impulses as he pleases. Ultimately, he’s a cautionary tale of the kind of threat a villain can present when given unlimited power.
1. Tywin Lannister
Unlike the others on this list, Tywin isn’t insane or insecure, nor does he have a chip on his shoulder. Instead, he is cold, commanding, and completely rational. When it comes down to it, he’s just a father trying to protect his family’s legacy by any means necessary. The brilliant acting of Charles Dance makes every scene electric. Tywin could be in the castle’s kitchen baking cookies, and we’d still be sold.
