Deadwood: Ranking 15 Cast Members Worst To Best

George Hearst is one of the greatest television villains of all time. A wealthy mining magnate who would later become a U.S. senator came to Deadwood in the season two finale looking for gold claims to purchase. He brought with him his power and influence to choke the camp into giving him whatever he wanted.

Antagonistic characters like E.B. or Cy or even Al received a lot of pushback on their plans and had to adapt when things didn't go their way. No such problems for George Hearst, everything he wanted he got and he remained untouchable throughout the majority of his time with the series. He is the epitome of a love-to-hate character.

He was responsible for not one but two deaths of central characters (Ellsworth and Charlie Utter), he chopped off Al's finger, he shot at Alma in the street, he demanded Trixie's execution and we never got that moment of retribution we all craved. Hearst was so despicable in his actions and so without remorse that it can leave you shouting at the television for him to get what's coming to him.

One of the most tense moments in the whole show is when Trixie has had enough of his tyranny and makes an attempt on his life but fails to kill him. We're right there with her and when she misses, we feel her fear. That is a sign of a truly detestable and menacing villain.