Prince Joffrey Baratheon

Heir apparent to the Iron Throne, Joffrey is a spoiled boy-king in waiting, cruel to those weaker than him and cowardly before those stronger. Betrothed to Sansa Stark, he trades charm for casual sadism the moment he's crossed, using his royal blood as an excuse to torment anyone in reach.

Gleeson plays entitlement without a hint of vanity about being liked, which is what makes the character so unnerving — a petulant child with absolute power and no one willing to check him. The show uses him to strip away any romance about crowns and lineage, and Gleeson never once softens him for sympathy.