Leather jackets, motorcycle rides, and a smirk so smug it could charm the pants off just about anyone; the makings of a fictional bad boy are universally clear.
We loved them as teens, we love them still as adults and we’ll probably still love them when we’re old and grey because no one can deny the allure of a classic bad boy.
While some may not always look the type – think suits and ties and a friendly demeanour – you can usually spot the rebels at heart from a mile away.
Not to mention that troubled look in their eyes, the giant chip on their shoulders, and behaviour so bad (yet so good) we’d never actually stand for it in our real lives.
If, like us, you’d choose a classic bad boy over the ‘good guy’ any day, then take a trip down memory lane with us as we revisit some of our favourite bad boys of TV down below.
1. Damon Salvatore, The Vampire Diaries
“When people see good, they expect good, and I don’t want to have to live up to anyone’s expectations.”
He had us at hello (brother) and he kept us until the very end because it’s not easy to forget a guy like Damon Salvatore.
A classic bad boy dipped in head-to-toe leather, he had a smirk so charming it’s no wonder he could get anyone, and we mean anyone, to do what he wanted.
Fall in love with him all over again by watching The Vampire Diaries now on Prime Video with a 30-day free trial by subscribing here. We know you want to.
2. Derek Hale, Teen Wolf
“Start the car. Or I’m gonna rip your throat out – with my teeth.”
Brooding, secretive and almost always angry, Derek Hale had us hooked from the moment he rolled into Beacon Hills in his Chevrolet Camaro.
Not one to shy from spilling the truth (no matter how brutal), Derek was your classic bad boy with a heart of gold. Who could possibly resist?
Consider this your sign to watch Teen Wolf all over again (we won’t judge) now on Foxtel Now with a 10-day free trial. Subscribe here.
3. Dean Winchester, Supernatural
“Why is it my job to save these people? Why do I have to be some kind of hero?”
Dean Winchester may be a little rough around the edges but he’s fiercely loyal and always puts his family first – and that’s why we love him.
You can argue he’s more good than bad, considering he’s saved the world more than once, but he’s still a bad boy in our books.
Bunker in and binge-watch all 15 seasons of Supernatural now on Prime Video with a 30-day free trial by subscribing right here. Happy hunting.
4. Chuck Bass, Gossip Girl
“People like me don’t write books. They’re written about.”
Truer words were never spoken, Chuck Bass. The anti-hero of Gossip Girl – the original, not the reboot – Chuck was bad to the bone, and controversially so.
While it was hard to overlook most of his actions (we’re just going to pretend season one Chuck doesn’t exist) he did land himself in the history books as one of the best bad boys of the small screen.
Don’t just take our word for it, watch (or re-watch) Gossip Girl now on Foxtel Now with a 10-day free trial by subscribing here.
5. Hook, Once Upon a Time
“When I win your heart, and I will win it, it will not be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me.”
He started off as a selfish, bloodthirsty villain (like most bad boys, naturally) but Captain Killian ‘Hook’ Jones eventually turned into somebody who could actually be trusted.
He never did lose his boyish charm though, which we’re thankful for, and delivered many iconic lines, which range from heartfelt to flirtatious, like the one above.
Watch him in action when you stream Once Upon a Time now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
6. Spike, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
“You always hurt the ones you love, pet.”
He never let anyone have the last word, and William ‘Spike’ Pratt had us from the moment he opened his sarcastic spitting mouth.
Going from one of the biggest and baddest guys we’ve seen, Spike was softened only by his love for Buffy – almost like a lovesick puppy dog.
If this isn’t your sign to re-watch him in Buffy the Vampire Slayer then we don’t know what is. You can stream all seven seasons now on Disney+ here.
7. Dr. Mark Sloan, Grey’s Anatomy
“I’m self-destructive and self-loathing to an almost pathological degree.”
Dr. Mark Sloan, or rather McSteamy if you will, was a ladies man through and through. So it’s no wonder he’s made it onto this list.
The creator of the show, Shonda Rhimes, even described him as “the original bad boy”. But, underneath that whole bad-boy facade, this doctor was just looking for the one.
Stream all 19 seasons – yes, 19 – of Grey’s Anatomy now on Disney+. Bring some tissues with you though, it’s a wild ride ahead.
8. Nate Jacobs, Euphoria
“We both get off on hurting other people.”
Okay, we hear you on this one, Nate Jacobs is definitely more of a bad guy than a bad boy per se, however, we do believe he deserves an honorary mention for being, well, bad.
Hate him as you will (and understandably so), Nate makes for a good fictional villain and there’s no denying he is absolutely the worst. But, there is a slight chance he could change. Hopefully.
With season three of Euphoria currently on its way, we’ll be tuning in on Foxtel Now to see if this bad boy somehow manages to redeem himself. Join us by subscribing here.
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