Some of TV\u2019s most unforgettable characters are the ones who know how to manipulate those around them. <\/p>\n
Whether through charm, deception, or psychological games, they pull the strings and stay a step ahead, making everyone else dance to their tune. <\/p>\n
These characters blur the line between hero and villain, creating their own reality and bending others to their will. <\/p>\n Manipulation isn\u2019t just a tactic; it\u2019s their weapon and what makes them so compelling. <\/p>\n Their ability to deceive, control, and outwit keeps us hooked \u2014 no matter how twisted their methods may be.<\/p>\n Here are 19 TV characters we think are true masters of manipulation.<\/p>\n Logan Roy from Succession<\/a> is the epitome of corporate manipulation. He uses his ruthless tactics to control his family and media empire. <\/p>\n Every conversation and every decision is a calculated move to maintain his power, even if it means playing his children against each other. <\/p>\n Logan\u2019s ability to manipulate allies and enemies with a combination of fear, charm, and sheer force of will makes him a formidable player in business and family drama. <\/p>\n His cold, calculating nature leaves everyone around him questioning their own loyalties \u2014 especially when survival is at stake.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Succession Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Livia Soprano from The Soprano<\/a>s is a master of emotional manipulation, using guilt, passive-aggressive behavior, and cunning to control those around her. <\/p>\n As the matriarch of the Soprano family, she manipulates her son, Tony, and the rest of her family with ease, often sowing chaos to maintain power.<\/p>\n Livia\u2019s ability to twist situations and play on others\u2019 weaknesses makes her a formidable force in a world of crime and family drama. <\/p>\n Her manipulations are subtle but run deep, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she encounters.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch The Sopranos Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Nandor the Relentless from What We Do in the Shadows<\/a> may not be the sharpest manipulator, but his ancient vampire charm and outdated sense of authority make him a surprisingly effective schemer. <\/p>\n As the leader of his vampire household, Nandor attempts to command respect, though his manipulations often fall short due to his cluelessness and ego. <\/p>\n Despite his incompetence, Nandor\u2019s overconfidence and attempts to control those around him \u2014 especially his fellow vampires \u2014 show that he can still be a master manipulator in his own delightfully awkward way. <\/p>\n His mishandling of power often leads to hilarious consequences, but it\u2019s always rooted in his need for control.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch What We Do in the Shadows Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Wendy Byrde is the queen of manipulation. She takes a calm, calculated approach to navigating the criminal world and family dynamics.<\/p>\n From managing the cartel\u2019s operations to controlling her family\u2019s future, Wendy expertly pulls the strings to get what she wants \u2014 often at any cost. <\/p>\n While her husband, Marty, focuses on numbers, Wendy uses her sharp mind and persuasive skills to manipulate everyone from ruthless criminals to local politicians. <\/p>\n Her ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations and make ruthless decisions makes her one of the most powerful characters in Ozark.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Ozark Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Oswald Cobb, a.k.a. The Penguin<\/a>, is a master of manipulation in the criminal underworld of Gotham. <\/p>\n With a sharp mind and a twisted charm, he manipulates allies and enemies to climb his way to power while hiding his true intentions behind a polished exterior. <\/p>\n Whether he\u2019s playing factions against each other or leveraging his influence via intimidation, Oswald\u2019s cunning knows no bounds. <\/p>\n Every move he makes is calculated to ensure his rise, proving that manipulation is the key to survival and success in Gotham\u2019s underworld.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch The Penguin Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Garak is a master of manipulation, blending charm, mystery, and political intrigue in his pursuit of power. <\/p>\n As a former Cardassian operative turned shopkeeper, he\u2019s an expert at playing both sides, using his wit and persuasive skills to manipulate those around him. <\/p>\n Whether weaving complex lies, creating elaborate schemes, or subtly influencing others with his calculated words, Garak keeps everyone guessing about his true motives. <\/p>\n His manipulative abilities are often shrouded in ambiguity, making him one of Deep Space Nine\u2019s most fascinating and unpredictable characters.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Vic Mackey from The Shield is the epitome of a morally complex manipulator. As the leader of the Strike Team, he uses his power and influence to navigate the fine line between law enforcement and criminality. <\/p>\n Vic is a master of manipulation. He often uses his position to exploit the system for his own gain while keeping his team under his control. <\/p>\n He\u2019s skilled at bending the truth, making deals, and pulling strings behind the scenes while maintaining his image as a hero. <\/p>\n His manipulative nature isn\u2019t just about survival \u2014 it\u2019s about ensuring his dominance, no matter the cost.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch The Shield Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Cersei Lannister\u2019s manipulation is as deadly as the poison she\u2019s willing to use to secure her family\u2019s power. <\/p>\n From orchestrating political alliances to plotting the demise of her enemies, Cersei\u2019s ability to control and deceive knows no limits. <\/p>\n She uses her beauty, wit, and unyielding ambition to outmaneuver everyone around her, making her one of the most dangerous players on the Game of Thrones<\/a>. <\/p>\n Her manipulation isn\u2019t just about gaining power; it\u2019s about keeping it,<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Game of Thrones Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Frank Harkness from Slow Horses is a master manipulator of the highest degree. A former CIA operative turned mercenary, he has a twisted vision of loyalty and power. <\/p>\n His methods are brutal, including impregnating women to form his own private army of assassins known as the deniable assassination squad. <\/p>\n Harkness thrives on secrecy, operating from the shadows while pulling the strings of international politics, using his deadly connections and skillset to play everyone in his path. <\/p>\n A true master of bending others to his will, he\u2019ll stop at nothing to maintain control \u2014 even if it means manipulating his own family and former colleagues. <\/p>\n With chilling calmness, Harkness keeps his true intentions hidden, always staying one step ahead in the dangerous game he\u2019s playing.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Slow Horses Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Monroe Fuches is the ultimate manipulator, playing both mentor and villain in Barry<\/a>. <\/p>\n As the man who pulled Barry into the world of crime, Fuches constantly manipulates the hitman-turned-actor, using guilt, threats, and subtle persuasion to control him. <\/p>\n Though he claims to care about Barry, Fuches\u2019s true motivations are driven by his own self-interest, making him one of the show\u2019s most complex manipulators.<\/p>\n His ability to weave webs of deceit and guilt keeps Barry tethered to his past, making Fuches a constant force in his life \u2014 whether Barry likes it or not.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Barry Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Serena Joy\u2019s manipulation is a quiet but powerful force in the dystopian world of Gilead on The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/a>. <\/p>\n As one of the regime\u2019s most influential figures, she uses her intelligence and cunning to maneuver within a patriarchal society, often manipulating those around her to maintain her position. <\/p>\n Beneath her composed exterior, Serena is a master of emotional manipulation, especially with her role as a wife to a Commander and her relationship with the Handmaids. <\/p>\n Her drive to protect her place in Gilead leads her to make calculated decisions, manipulating those closest to her to achieve her own goals \u2014 no matter the cost.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch The Handmaid’s Tale Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Frank Underwood from the House of Cards<\/a> is the definition of political manipulation. <\/p>\n With a calm demeanor and an iron will, Frank navigates the treacherous waters of Washington, pulling the strings behind closed doors to climb the political ladder. <\/p>\n He uses charm, deceit, and betrayal to eliminate anyone standing in his way, all while making viewers believe they\u2019re in on the plan. <\/p>\n Frank\u2019s ability to manipulate both allies and enemies- often with devastating results- makes him one of the most compelling and terrifying characters ever to grace the screen.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch House of Cards Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Don Draper from Mad Men<\/a> is a master of manipulation, using charm and calculated deception to shape not only advertising campaigns but the lives of those around him. <\/p>\n As a top ad man in the 1960s, Don\u2019s ability to craft persuasive narratives made him a force to be reckoned with, whether he was selling products or his own carefully constructed persona.<\/p>\n Behind the polished exterior lies a man who manipulates his identity, relationships, and even his emotions to keep control of his world. <\/p>\n Don\u2019s manipulation isn\u2019t just professional; it\u2019s deeply personal, making him both magnetic and deeply flawed.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Mad Men Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Shiv Roy from Succession<\/a> is a skilled manipulator who expertly navigates the cutthroat world of media moguls and family dynamics. <\/p>\n With her political acumen and sharp instincts, she knows exactly how to play both her family and her business rivals against one another. <\/p>\n Shiv uses her intelligence, charm, and ambition to climb the corporate ladder, all while keeping her true intentions hidden. <\/p>\n Whether she\u2019s making strategic alliances or betraying her own blood, Shiv\u2019s manipulations are always calculated, positioning her to one day take the throne \u2014 if she can outwit everyone, including her own family.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Succession Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Red John is a criminal mastermind whose manipulation knows no bounds. <\/p>\n As the elusive serial killer at the center of The Mentalist<\/a>, he uses psychological games, charm, and fear to control his victims and stay one step ahead of the law. <\/p>\n His ability to manipulate both his followers and the detectives hunting him is chilling, and he remains a mystery for most of the series \u2014 until his shocking reveal. <\/p>\n Red John doesn\u2019t just kill; he twists minds, plants doubt, and plays with his adversaries\u2019 emotions, making him a dangerous, calculating force who thrives on control and deception.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch The Mentalist Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Jan Bellows from Only Murders in the Building<\/a> is a master of manipulation. She expertly weaves lies to protect her fragile ego and conceal her darkest actions.<\/p>\n What starts as a seemingly sweet, quirky musician quickly unravels into a dangerous, obsessive individual driven by jealousy and a need to always be first. <\/p>\n Her manipulative tendencies are deep-rooted in childhood wounds and an insatiable desire for control. <\/p>\n Whether she\u2019s charming Charles, plotting Tim\u2019s murder out of petty jealousy, or hiding behind the facade of innocence, Jan\u2019s psychological games keep everyone guessing. <\/p>\n Beneath her calm exterior lies a woman willing to go to any length \u2014 no matter how extreme \u2014 to maintain control over those around her.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Only Murders in the Building Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl<\/a> is the ultimate schemer, using wealth, charm, and sharp wit to manipulate everyone in his orbit. <\/p>\n Chuck uses his power and status to control the people around him, especially regarding love and family, whether in the business world or his tangled relationships. <\/p>\n He knows exactly how to play the game, twisting situations to his advantage and keeping his true feelings hidden behind layers of arrogance and bravado. <\/p>\n With Chuck, manipulation isn\u2019t just about getting what he wants \u2014 it\u2019s about ensuring he always stays one step ahead.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Gossip Girl Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t Kevin \u201cKilgrave\u201d Thompson is the embodiment of terrifying manipulation, with the ability to control anyone with a single command. <\/p>\n His power to bend people to his will makes him one of the most dangerous characters in the Jessica Jones<\/a> universe. <\/p>\n Kilgrave\u2019s charm is just as deadly as his powers \u2014 he uses his manipulative abilities to manipulate and torture his victims, always finding new ways to torment Jessica and those around her. <\/p>\n His lack of empathy and total disregard for others only enhance his ability to manipulate, making him a true master of psychological control.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n Watch Jessica Jones Online<\/p>\n \t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/10\/The-Penguin-Season-1-Episode-6-13.jpg\")
Logan Roy \u2014 Succession<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\t![\"JustWatch\"](\"https:\/\/www.tvfanatic.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tvf-trellis\/images\/just-watch.png\"\/)
![\"JustWatch\"](\"https:\/\/www.tvfanatic.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tvf-trellis\/images\/just-watch.png\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nLivia Soprano \u2014 The Sopranos<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Livia-The-Sopranos.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nNandor \u2014 What We Do in the Shadows<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/12\/WWD6-Eps606-0228r.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nWendy Byrde \u2014 Ozark<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ozark-1.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nOswald Cobb \u2014 The Penguin\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"Penguin](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/10\/The-Penguin-Season-1-Episode-3-3.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nGarak \u2014 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Grak-1.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nVic Mackey \u2014 The Shield<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Vic-Mackey-The-Shield.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nCersei Lannister \u2014 Game of Thrones<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Cersei-Lannister-2.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nFrank Harkness \u2014 Slow Horses<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Frank-Harkness-1.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\nMonroe Fuches \u2014 Barry<\/h2>\n
![\"Fuches](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2019\/05\/fuches-takes-gene-barry-s2e8.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nSerena Joy \u2014 The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/h2>\n
![\"Serena](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2021\/06\/serena-in-court-the-handmaids-tale-s4e8.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nFrank Underwood \u2014 House of Cards<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2014\/02\/the-strike-e1733849556852.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nDon Draper \u2014 Mad Men<\/h2>\n
![\"Smirking](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2013\/06\/smirking-don.png\")
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\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\nShiv Roy \u2014 Succession<\/h2>\n
![\"Shiv](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/shiv-looks-determined-succession-s4e6.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nRed John \u2014 The Mentalist<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Red-John-1.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nJan Bellows \u2014 Only Murders in the Building<\/h2>\n
![\"Games](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2021\/09\/games-night-only-murders-in-the-building-s1e7-709x1024.jpg\")
![\"Games](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2021\/09\/games-night-only-murders-in-the-building-s1e7.jpg\")
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\n <\/span><\/p>\nChuck Bass \u2014 Gossip Girl<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chuck-Bass-1.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\nKevin \u201cKilgrave\u201d Thompson \u2014 Jessica Jones<\/h2>\n
![\"Kilgrave\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Unforgettable-Psychopaths-Kilgrave.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\nWednesday Addams \u2014 Wednesday<\/h2>\n
![\"Wednesday](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2022\/06\/wednesday-key-art-on-netflix-683x1024.jpg\")
![\"Wednesday](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2022\/06\/wednesday-key-art-on-netflix.jpg\")
![\"This](\"https:\/\/cdn.tvfanatic.com\/uploads\/2015\/04\/this-looks-serious-game-of-thrones-scaled.jpg\")