Daily soaps are the epitome of intricate plots and long-running narratives. These shows have cultivated some of the most memorable and sometimes even utterly diabolical characters in television history. These characters are usually driven by their insatiable greed for power and sometimes even pure villainy.
These characters are the architects of chaos, leaving a trail of destruction wherever they go. The main feature of the soap opera villains is their persistent presence. They can evolve and charm even the most virtuous characters.
Unlike villains of other genres, soap opera villains do not always meet a definitive end. Sometimes, these characters reappear, shocking the viewers. This nature of their villainy creates a unique sense of dread even among the viewers. So, let’s delve into the 10 Most diabolical characters in the history of daily soaps.
1)Alistair Crane from Passions
Alistair Crane’s primary weapon was his sharp mind. A sharp mind makes a character even scarier when they become villainous. Alistair Crane could make an intricate web of lies and deceit. He used these means to pull the strings around him.
Apart from his sharp intellect, he was also charming and intimidating. This made him able to find the perfect means to exploit someone’s weak point. He even kidnapped an infant at birth because of his wicked plans.
This showed that Alistair had no moral compass. He had a drive for power, which made him do whatever was needed to achieve what he wanted. His vast wealth gave him the power to carry out and be protected whenever he caused trouble.
2)Will Savage from Hollyoaks
In Hollyoaks, Will Savage created immense trouble for the characters. Since his arrival on the show, his actions have been calculated and manipulative. He was downright cruel at times, which left a trail of emotional and psychological damage on the other characters.
Despite his diabolical nature, he had a charming nature, which made him easily trustworthy. His obsession with Texas was a key element in his villainy. His fixation on her made him do things that were chilling to watch, according to the viewers. He had a determination to have her.
So, when Texas revealed her love for Dodger, Will did the unthinkable. He pushed Texas out of a window. She died because of it. Will Savage was a master of deceit and created a nuisance for the other characters till his last breath.
3)Tony King from EastEnders
Tony King has left a lasting impact on the viewers of EastEnders, not because of any good cause but because of his antagonistic nature. He is brutally manipulative, and his actions make him a classic diabolical character of the soap opera. His calculated and insidious nature made him villainous.
He used psychological manipulation and methodically groomed Whitney. He isolated Whitney and then gained her trust. He ultimately sexually assaulted her. His facade of a genuine and caring nature made it easy for him to operate in plain sight. He exploited the trust of the people around him. He was a pedophile, and his target was the vulnerable Whitney.
He made her believe that their relationship was normal and loving. This level of psychological manipulation elevated him beyond a typical villain. Many viewers have pointed out that he was a truly disturbing predator.
4)Vivian Alamain from Days of Our Lives
Vivian Alamain has made a name for herself as one of the most diabolical villains in the world of soap operas. She constantly stirred up trouble. One of her most villainous natures was her ability to exploit people using mind games.
She could turn people against each other for her benefit. Her villainy related to Carly was chilling and truly a remarkable moment of Days of Our Lives. Vivian targets Carly’s patients. This makes people blame Carly. However, when her secret is revealed, she weaves an intricate plan to get rid of Carly.
Her plan was nothing short of a psychopathic one. She buried Carly alive. Her methods were outrageous, even by soap opera standards. She was loyal to her own self-interest.
5)Frank Foster from Coronation Street
Frank Foster left a dark stain during his time in Coronation Street. He was a master manipulator with the ability to cause immense cruelty for his own good. Frank’s most heinous action was when he sexually assaulted Carla Connor.
It was a calculated act of violence that he committed with intention. His sinister side made him one of the most diabolical characters of Coronation Street. He had a complete lack of empathy. He showed no remorse for his actions. His lack of remorse made it hard for the viewers.
His ultimate death was in the hands of his own mother, who could not tolerate it when she found out about the actions of her own son.
6)Mitch Lawrence from One Life To Live
Mitch Lawrence from One Life to Live could weave intricate webs of deceit and destruction. His ability to charm and manipulate others helped him get out of prison even when he did not deserve to.
He killed Harry O’Neill. He consistently disrupted the lives of the others around him. He caused chaos and pain even to those close to him. His elaborate schemes were designed to cause maximum damage. He even planned the kidnapping of Clint’s child. Mitch’s crimes were not just about physical acts.
They were about the systematic destruction of people’s lives through manipulation, abuse, and violence.
7)Shiela Carter from The Bold and The Beautiful
One word to define Shiela Carter would be chaos. Her plans of deceit left the viewers shocked. She has a long history of troublesome actions. She has a nature to control those around her. Her actions crossed the line of violence when she switched Lauren’s newborn baby.
She replaces Lauren’s baby with a baby from the black market. Sheila’s storyline has been a source of constant drama. Her actions caused great pain to many characters in The Bold and the Beautiful. Her willingness to resort to extreme violence and manipulation gives her the status of one of the most notorious villains of soap operas.
8)Harry Slater from EastEnders
Though Harry Slater’s presence in EastEnders was not as long as other characters, he made a name for himself as one of the most diabolical characters of the show. He was a liar and a manipulator. His actions were heinous. He groomed his own niece since she was just a child.
He then raped her, which led to her pregnancy. This act of sexual violence became a defining moment that solidified his place as one of EastEnders’ most dangerous villains. His torture of Kat was a calculated and brutal act. It violated the trust and safety within the family.
This event had a devastating impact on young Kat. Harry Slater was a toxic force that left a trail of destruction in his wake.
9)Ray Gardner from All My Children
Ray Gardner left a dark mark on All My Children after his arrival. He knew how to play the emotions of others, which made him a danger. He raped Ruth after she stood up against him. It was not just about causing emotional distress to her. It was about a violent and deeply personal violation.
This act left a lasting impact on Ruth and her entire family. It was a traumatic event for her. It shaped the storylines of All My Children by further complicating them. Ray’s violent act, combined with his other manipulative actions, made him a truly diabolical character in the show.
It showed his complete lack of empathy, which made him a dark villain in the history of daily soaps.
10)Richard Hillman from Coronation Street
Yet another diabolical character in the history of soap operas. Richard Hillman’s character was a master of deception, weaving his way into the lives of the residents of Weatherfield. His nature as a businessman allowed him to manipulate those around him easily.
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He masked his true intentions with ease. He brutally murdered Maxine. He had a cold-blooded approach to violence, which made him a terrifying character. He murdered Maxine with a crowbar. The scene left a lasting impact on the viewers. The dark and dramatic nature of his presence solidified his status as a villainous character.
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