Rogues, bad boys, libertines, anti heroes…. call them what you like, they are characters with an edge and the embodiment of confidence

Falling on the fine line between good and evil, they make your heart race.  A popular literary character, Byronic Heroes are known for being dark, bad and dangerous but possessing a softer side accessible only to a special few.

This fascinating trope never tires in media and pop culture. Enjoy this list of 14 quintessential badass heroes:

1. Wolfgang Bogdanow – Sense8

Locksmith by day, best safecracker by night; Wolfgang steals the show! Involved with organized crime unwillingly. He has a dealt with a terrible childhood, and come out of it like a total badass. Stoic, fearless and tough, Wolfgang knows how to take a punch. If you dare cross him it’s scary. But underneath the tough exterior he has a good heart. Savagely protective of those he loves. Smitten with the innocent Kala, he never shows his rough side to her. 

2. Seth Gecko – From Dusk till Dawn

This Gecko brother was the best! Suave, tough, blunt and a professional thief. Standing out as the leader, Seth has morals he sticks to completely. He does not like hurting or killing people; has endured a rough childhood. Beneath all the sardonic bluster, he has a soft heart. His brother means the world to him. Very protective of the good hearted Kate. Holds her in great regard and tries to do right by her fiercely.

3. Cesare Borgia – The Borgias

Cesare, the most fascinating character of the show – dark and cruel, there is something so charismatic about him! With his dark demeanor and swagger, Cesare is a heartthrob. He can be utmost cruel to his enemies to make sure no harm comes to his family. Bears all the dark demons on himself to keep his family safe. The angelically beautiful Lucrezia is the only one he loves so achingly deep and to whom he gives himself off completely.

4. Loki – Avengers Franchise

With his devilish smiles, Loki won the hearts of all. Cocky, cynical, charmingly arrogant and a master of tricks. His angst and intense emotions are deeply felt. He does everything to get back power in his own way, to fill the yearning for the love and acceptance he never got because of his lineage. Yet he deeply cares for his mother and brother but does not admit it. 

5. Tommy Shelby – Peaky Blinders

“Nobody looks at Tommy Shelby the wrong way”. He rules the streets of 1920s Birmingham. Stoic, intimidating, calculating, devil-may-care attitude. Nobody wants to cross the big bad. He is fierce when it comes to his family and very protective of them. He has got his own demons. Turned soft only with Grace and loved her deeply.

6. Eric Northman – True Blood

A Viking vampire, Eric is suave, cunning, powerful and untamable. He has such a breath-taking confidence that he emits effortlessly. Eric would go till hell for those he loves and protect them from anything. A natural king of any domain he enters, irresistible in every scene. Capable of such deep strong affection whilst still being so guarded and dangerous. His love for his maker Godric and his family stands out so beautifully.

7. Yu Ze – I Cannot Hug You

Yu Ze is such a swooning dichotomy of who he really is and who he is compelled to be. While his kind acts swells your heart, his calculative cause chills you to the core. As a mixed breed- half vampire half human, his arc is tragic that makes you wish for his happiness. His conflict and angst breaks you. Yet his poised demeanor and honor makes him a delicious enigma. Sweet Xu Qing Ran is the only one he loves adoringly.

8. Gwi – The Scholar Who Walks the Night

Ok.. true, Gwi does fall on the Byronic villain side, but he presents a love-to-hate conflict. A seductive, seriously sexy, cunning, layered vampire, Gwi longs to understand humanity from the side-lines which is absolutely stunning. His angst due to the betrayal he experienced drives his acts. You can’t help feel a forbidden pull to him. He pines for Lee Myung-hee secretly and is fiercely possessive of her. 

9. Dimitri – Immortals

Driven by his rebel cause for his vampire clan, Dimitri does everything in his power for them, to protect them. He does not kill just anyone, without a cause. Extremely cunning and calculative, Dimitri has such a calm confidence, it’s impossible to cross him. He loves Mia to such a depth and does many efforts to make everything easy for her cause.

10. Eisenheim – The Illusionist

Intensely charismatic, the enigmatic Eisenheim steals the scenes with his quiet confidence, breathtaking magic and chilling calmness. He has such an intimidating magnetic presence. The way he deals with his enemies is excellent and stunning. His love for the beautiful Sophie is so deep and passionate. Only with her his confident exterior melts.

11. Achilles – Troy (2004)

Undefeated warrior, the extreme self-belief that Achilles has about his strength makes him so scary. You would definitely want him on your side. If anything his confidence can’t help but draw you to him. He does not ever feel the need to convince anyone of who he is. That commands respect. Though dangerous, he has morals. He has high self-esteem which is why he could take the wrath of Briseis like a man, and love her deeply for her strong mind and feistiness. 

12. Qin Shang Cheng – The Romance of Hua Rong

The domineering pirate king, Qin Shang Cheng is commanding. The sea is his domain, and his word is everything to his men. Yet he has his own honor code to which he sticks to completely. Qin Shang Cheng emits an authority to his every move… that makes him so tempting to resist. He loves Hua so much that he never let goes of her and in time comes to respect her will.

13. Michael Guerin – Roswell New Mexico

Oh… Michael 💞 the classic resident bad boy of Roswell! Rough around the edge, lone wolf who get’s lost in his self-loathing ways often. Angst, sarcastic one-liners, devilish smiles and cowboy swagger is what would sum him up. He’s made up of a rough exterior because of the constant ‘otherness’ he felt since childhood. But a heart of gold exists beneath. There is nothing he would not do to protect his family and friends. Ever filled with an all-consuming love for Alex, that bursts out of him so marvelously each time.

14. Gu Dong Mae – Mr. Sunshine

The intensity of the angst, broodiness and fierceness that Gu Dong Mae exhibits in the show makes you root for his happy ending. He won the hearts of all in the show. The layers to his character at different times is what makes him so mysterious and pulls you to him. He loves Aye Shin deeply but never crosses the bridge. And he guards her preciously in his own way. 

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Who caught your eye? Other Byronic heroes you have come across? I would love to know in the comments!

[All image courtesy of Google]