10 TV Villains Who Stole The Show

The real antagonist of Breaking Bad is the hero, Walter White, who evolves from a good man doing bad things to a bad man doing even worse things. Before the once-mild mannered chemist becomes truly corrupted, however, he locks horns with some of New Mexico’s most ruthless villains, and the best of these is Gus Fring.

Giancarlo Esposito plays the role with ice in his veins - Fring is a man who is in total control of his life and domain. As the proprietor of a successful fast food chain, he is held up as a pillar of the community, allowing him to operate his colossal drug ring with impunity. Polite and professional as a rule, Esposito slowly lets Gus’ mask slip, as the kingpin indulges in moments of brutality and savage revenge. The show is never better than when it pits Walt and Gus against one another, and while the former eventually triumphs, you could see it going either way at times.

Fring’s presence was so great that the show could never quite return to those heights following his thwarting. Real Gus heads needn’t fear, though, as they couldn’t resist bringing the big man back for prequel Better Call Saul, where he stole the show once again.