All 9 Lannisters in Game of Thrones, ranked from worst to best

4. Tywin Lannister

Oh, Tywin. Does he have any redeeming qualities? Maybe not. But he’s one of the best villains in Game of Thrones, and for that I have to admire him. Unlike Joffrey, Tywin is extremely intelligent, cunning, and strategic. He’s awful, don’t get me wrong, but he knows how to play the game very well. It’s hard to even keep up with all of his schemes.

Without a doubt, Tywin is a heartless father. He puts his needs before his children’s and constantly puts them down. With Tyrion he’s especially cruel. He blames his youngest child for killing his wife, who died in childbirth, and belittles him because he’s a dwarf. He can be ruthless, and many fans still can never forgive him for orchestrating the Red Wedding. But on the other hand, if you need a leader to defend your royal house, there’s no one more capable than Tywin.

3. Cersei Lannister

Let’s get this straight: Cersei Lannister is a villain through and through. So why is she so high up on this list? Well, as a woman, it’s easy to empathize with her, and if we’re being honest, she’s the biggest badass of her family. I love her and I hate her at the same time, which means she’s a great character.

Though Cersei is fortunate enough to grow up in the Lannister family, she’s also kind of an outcast (not unlike Tyrion, which is ironic considering how much they hate each other). And that’s because she’s a woman. She’s smart enough to rule (I mean, way smarter than Joffrey, anyway) but is looked down upon by her father Tywin who only wants to use her as a pawn to gain more power. She’s forced to marry Robert Baratheon, who disgusts her, and Tywin is ready to marry her off again after Robert’s death.

There are several examples of strong and inspirational women in Game of Thrones, and though she might be evil, Cersei is definitely one of them. She’s independent and goes against the gender roles and expectations of the time. Not only that, but when it comes to her family, she’s willing to do anything to protect them. She’s resilient, and though it’s misplaced, her determination is unwavering throughout the series.

Now we can’t forget all of the terrible acts Cersei has committed. Blowing up the Great Sept of Baelor is probably her worst moment, but there are so many others to choose from. As I said, she’s not right in what she does. But the fact that she’s so captivating, regardless of whether you love her or hate her, makes her one of the most entertaining Lannisters.