10 anti-heroes who hit as hard as Heisenberg in 'Breaking Bad'

What happens when an underpaid and overqualified high school chemistry teacher is diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and given only a short time to live? Most might try to make peace, spend time with family, or invest whatever little they have to help their loved ones. But that's certainly not the path that Walter White, better known as Heisenberg, from the hit series Breaking Bad chose. In fact, he took a completely different route by teaming up with his former student Jesse Pinkman to manufacture and sell meth using his chemistry genius, to dive deep into the criminal underworld. Played masterfully by actor Bryan Cranston, Heisenberg has become one of the most iconic characters in television history - appearing on T-shirts, being parodied in pop culture, and even inspiring Wi-Fi names. More than a decade after the show ended, he remains the most famous chemistry teacher the world has ever known.

But while Heisenberg is arguably the most iconic anti-hero in television, he’s far from the only one. Over the years, TV has introduced us to many morally gray characters we just can’t decide whether to love or hate - and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

10 Anti-heroes who hit as hard as Heisenberg

1) Tony Soprano – The Sopranos

Another iconic character from one of the greatest shows in television history, Tony Soprano, is a mob boss who seeks therapy while running a brutal criminal empire. He’s as layered as an anti-hero can get: a loving father, a ruthless killer, and an insecure leader all rolled into one. He wrestles with depression, legacy, and the crushing weight of his sins, making his humanity all the more chilling. If Heisenberg had a long-lost brother in the world of complex TV anti-heroes, it would definitely be Tony Soprano.

2) Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman – Better Call Saul

This man was as much of an anti-hero in Breaking Bad as Heisenberg - so it’s no surprise he got his own hit spin-off series. Jimmy McGill, or Saul Goodman, is far from the “good man” his name suggests. A charismatic con artist turned lawyer, he starts out trying to help others (while lining his own pockets), but his craving for success pushes him to keep cutting corners. Jimmy wants love and respect, but he’s a morally flexible, self-serving schemer who spirals deeper into his alter ego. His transformation into Saul is both fascinating and heartbreaking - you root for him, even when you know exactly where he's headed.

3) Tommy Shelby – Peaky Blinders

This one’s a no-brainer! Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders is a World War I veteran who turns into a criminal mastermind in post-war Birmingham. Beneath Tommy’s charm lies deep trauma and a chilling, calculated coldness. He builds an empire through sheer will and brutal strategy. Even at his darkest, you understand his choices. Also, actor Cillian Murphy masterfully portrays this iconic anti-hero, making it even more of a must-watch.

4) Rick Grimes – The Walking Dead

It’s hard to stay sane in a zombie apocalypse. Don’t believe it? Just ask Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead. A former cop turned post-apocalyptic warlord, Rick becomes the embodiment of survival. He begins with a firm moral code, only to lose it bit by bit as the world crumbles. Every decision he makes is a brutal tug-of-war between compassion and necessity. By the end, he’s more war machine than man.

5) Don Draper – Mad Men

Don Draper is so smooth and suave, he could fool even the sharpest detectives. An ad man with a stolen identity and a haunting past, Don buries his demons beneath women, whiskey, and witty ad copy. Brilliant yet broken, he’s a master of both persuasion and denial- an absolute madman, as the title suggests - draped in style and sadness.

6) Rustin Cohle – True Detective (Season 1)

Matthew McConaughey plays a smart but troubled detective in the first season of True Detective. Rust is deep, dark, and sometimes hard to understand - his obsession with a case almost ruins him. But underneath all that, he still has a strong sense of right and wrong. Pretty intriguing, right?

7) Frank Castle (The Punisher) – The Punisher

Driven by grief after losing his family, Frank Castle takes the law into his own hands and becomes a vigilante. He’s brutal, relentless, and operates by his own black-and-white morality. Unlike many antiheroes, he doesn’t want power - just pure, unending vengeance. You don’t ever want to mess with The Punisher - unless, of course, you don’t mind going through the toughest physical punishment of your life!

8) Dexter Morgan – Dexter

A forensic scientist who lives a double life as a serial killer, one who only targets actual murderers. So does that make him a sinner or a savior? Dexter kills only “bad guys,” but that moral line blurs quickly. He’s emotionless on the surface, yet increasingly desperate for connection. This is one show and one character that will really make you question what’s right and what’s wrong!

9) BoJack Horseman – BoJack Horseman

Life as a celebrity can be tough, especially when your best days are behind you and you're desperately trying to stay relevant. BoJack Horseman is a self-destructive star who craves redemption but constantly sabotages himself. He wrestles with addiction, fame, and a legacy of emotional damage. His moments of clarity will hit you harder than most live-action dramas. BoJack is a villain and a victim, all packed into one deeply human horse!

10) Nate Jacobs – Euphoria

Nate Jacobs from the teen drama Euphoria is a toxic and manipulative teenager shaped by years of abuse and control. He’s violent, secretive, and always plotting something. Even though he’s dangerous, there are moments when you feel sorry for him. He’s a mix of power, anger, and confusion - you just make up your mind how to feel about him!

Anti-heroes do really mess with our heads, making us question right and wrong at every turn - and these characters definitely end up taking us on quite an emotional rollercoaster. Hats off to the creators and actors for giving us such unforgettable TV gold!