These Early 2000s TV Villains Are Still Iconic—and Infuriating

They might not be handing out poison apples or putting sleeping curses on their enemies, but these early 2000s drama villains had their own agendas from the start.  Hidden in plain sight were the antagonists of these shows — whether posing as a family man and the good-hearted mayor or fully showing their dark side through their actions. Despite many of these characters having at least one redeeming quality, they ultimately remain the biggest problem for their show’s protagonists.

Keep reading to find out some of the most notable villains of the early aughts and what they did to earn the title.

1. Dan Scott in ‘One Tree Hill’ (20013-2012)

The rivalry between Scott brothers Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty) is what sets the plot of One Tree Hill in motion, especially after Lucas joins Nathan’s basketball team. But there never would have been an issue between the half-brothers if it weren’t for their father, Dan Scott (Paul Johansson). Dan’s ex-girlfriend, Karen (Moira Kelly), gave birth to  Lucas in high school, but not before he abandoned them for a new life in college where he met his current wife, Deb (Barabar Alyn Woods), who was pregnant with Nathan just a few months later.  

Dan is easily the most notable villain in the series, causing his sons to dislike each other due to his own issues with the past. Not only does Dan tear his kids apart, but he also treats Deb like his second option and  despises his brother, Keith, who he (SPOILER) later kills in season 3. But despite all the horrible things he does throughout the show’s run, like almost killing Lucas and treating Karen terribly, audiences can’t help but feel for the character (sometimes).

2. Julie Cooper in ‘The O.C’ (2003-2007)

Julie Cooper (Melinda Clarke) wasn’t a regular mom — she’s a villain. Although Julie is Marissa Cooper’s (Mischa Barton) mother, she doesn’t act like it. Julie had big dreams of becoming a wealthy socialite after growing up in a trailer park, so when she married rich, she lived her life to the fullest. But as soon as that money was gone, so was she, off to find someone new and maybe with a bit more influence.

Not only is she a gold-digger and a bit power-obsessed, but she doesn’t treat her oldest daughter with much respect. In fact, she gets with Marissa’s ex-boyfriend (who is a teenager!!!), dismisses her feelings of anger and sadness and regularly tries to break Marissa and her current boyfriend, Ryan (Ben McKenzie), up. Although she does experience a lot of character growth throughout the series, you can look right to Julie Cooper if you’re looking for The O.C.’s main villain.

3. Christopher in ‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000-2007)

In a less obvious way, Christopher (David Sutcliffe) can certainly be considered the villain of Gilmore Girls. As Lorelai’s (Lauren Graham) ex and father to their daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), Christopher wasn’t around for them very much early on. When he does finally appear, however, it’s always at the most inconvenient of times.

Chris shows up in Lorelai’s life just as she is finding her own happiness: first when she and Luke (Scott Patterson) are growing closer, again when Lorelai is about to get married in season 2 and, finally, when Luke and Lorelai are engaged. Although Lorelai and Chris do end up getting married, they eventually divorce due to their obvious incompatibility, but not before Chris screws up Lorelai’s life a bit.

4. Tess in ‘Roswell’ (1999-2002)

In a show that focuses on the lives of teenage aliens and the few humans they can trust, it comes as no surprise that a villain makes an appearance at some point. That comes in the form of Tess Harding (Emilie de Ravin), who joins the series late in season 1, serving as a divide between Max (Jason Behr) and his human girlfriend Liz (Shiri Appleby). 

Aliens Max, Isabel (Katherine Heigl), Michael (Brendan Fehr) and Tess are from the planet Antar, where they were the Royal Four — Max the King, Michael as his second in command, Isabel the princess and Tess the Queen and Max’s wife. But now that they are on Earth, none of the aliens remember their former lives.

Later, when Tess eventually gets her way with Max, it is discovered that she was plotting all along to have his baby and bring Max back to their home planet. So, when she becomes pregnant, she tries to force Max back to Antar, where he would most likely be killed by the current leader. Not only does she plot this extravagant plan while maintaining innocence on the outside, but Tess also kills Liz’s best friend, Alex (Colin Hanks). So, in layman’s terms, Tess is the villain of Roswell, hands down.

5. Ken Davis in ‘Wildfire’ (2005- 2008)

The wealthy Ken Davis (James Read), who is father to Junior (Ryan Sypek) and Dani (Nicole Tubiola), often causes more harm than good in Wildfire. Ken is a persuasive, controlling man who will do anything to get what he wants, including betraying his own kids. He continually tries to split up Junior and his girlfriend Kris (Genevieve Padalecki) simply because she doesn’t come from money. In the end, Ken is redeemed and forgiven by his kids, but he remains the main villain throughout the rest of the series.

Keep reading for more entertainment!

These 8 TV Series of the Early 2000s Are Full of Flip Phones, Low-Rise Jeans and A Whole Lot of Drama

Flashback to These Early 2000s Reality TV Shows That You Should Dive into Again

The O.C.’s Real-Life Couples: ‘It Wasn’t Just Onscreen’—Behind the Scenes of The Steamy TV Romances