Hawaii Five-0's 10 Best Villains, Ranked

Hawaii Five-0 has brought a parade of memorable villains to the screen, each leaving a unique mark on the team and the storylines. This article highlights the top 10 most notorious bad guys encountered by the Five-0 task force, from dangerous manipulators to cold-blooded killers and everything in between. These villains not only tested the team's skills but also shaped their personal journeys in unforgettable ways.

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1. Kelly

Kelly is a character who truly left an impression with her dark and twisted sense of righteousness. Convinced that she was saving someone, Kelly actually manipulated another person into killing her own father. Things escalated further when Kelly herself tricked the police into thinking her accomplice was a threat, resulting in his death. As Kono wisely remarked:

"It's a good thing Five-0 stopped her when they did before she could cause more harm."

Kelly's chilling determination made her far more than a simple villain; she was someone who nearly got away with something truly terrible.

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2. Seth Tilton

Seth Tilton turned out to be a far cry from the harmless individual he seemed to be on the surface. His story, presented over a memorable Halloween episode, took a turn for the macabre as it was revealed that not only was he capable of murder, but his grandmother was an accomplice as well. She appeared sweet, but she was anything but, which became clear when she even killed a police officer herself. The episode stood out as:

"A real-life horror."

For the Five-0, it was a case they would never forget.

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3. Ian Wright

Ian Wright, portrayed by Nick Jonas, was a young tech genius with a malicious streak. He managed to one-up the Five-0 with his computer skills, making him a formidable opponent. Things got personal when he kidnapped Grover's daughter, showing just how ruthlessly clever he could be. However, Wright's criminal career was cut short when Wo Fat entered the scene:

"He met a premature death thanks to Wo Fat, who shot him dead and freed Grover's daughter, sending her off to give a message to Steve."

Wright's combination of brains and willingness to endanger innocent lives made him a truly dangerous villain.

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4. Dr. Madison Gray

Dr. Madison Gray was a master of psychological manipulation. She managed to escape justice through clever lies, at one point claiming to be someone else called Lauren Parker. Despite skepticism from others, she convinced Alicia to help her escape from jail and even took her to see Alicia's daughter—whom Alicia believed to be dead. Madison's ultimate goal was chilling:

"Madison ultimately confronts Alicia in her home, wanting to turn her into a killer, and she succeeds, as Alicia fires the gun and reports Madison's murder."

Her ability to twist people's minds and her shocking end made Dr. Madison Gray one of the show's most unsettling antagonists.

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5. Victor Hesse

Victor Hesse's name is synonymous with the start of Steve McGarrett's relentless pursuit of justice. He orchestrated the kidnapping of Steve's father, leading to a tragic exchange gone wrong in the very first episode:

"Everything went haywire when both Anton and Steve's father were killed, and thus began Steve's mission of returning to Hawaii... and intending to exact revenge on Hesse."

Hesse continued to haunt Steve until he finally met his end at the hands of another infamous villain: Wo Fat.

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Wo Fat is often described as the most iconic villain in the Hawaii Five-0 universe:

"Wo Fat was undoubtedly the most memorable villain in Hawaii Five-0's entirety, both in the original series and in the reboot."

He was responsible for numerous heinous acts, from murder to framing Steve for the Governor's death. If ever there was a villain who defined a hero's journey, it was Wo Fat for Steve McGarrett.

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6. Frank Delano

Frank Delano was a manipulative ex-cop who knew just how to hit the Five-0 where it hurt. In a particularly traumatic incident, he forced Chin into an impossible choice:

"Frank manipulated Chin into freeing him from prison in the Season 2 finale by forcing him to choose between saving his cousin, Kono, or his wife, Malia. Chin tried to save them both, but unfortunately, Malia didn't survive."

Chin later avenged his wife by killing Delano, but the pain lingered on, showing how deeply personal these villainous encounters could get.

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7. Gabriel Waincroft

Gabriel was Chin's brother-in-law and one of the most complex villains in the series. His rivalry with Chin was deeply personal, ultimately resulting in Gabriel asking for forgiveness as he lay dying:

"Gabriel apologizes to Chin for murdering his father, and implores him to look after his daughter, Sara, not long before he dies."

Chin honored this request, taking in Sara and showing that sometimes, a villain can leave a legacy that's more complicated than simple evil.

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8. Sang Min

Sang Min is both a villain and a bit of comic relief. While often seen as cunning and obnoxious, he has, over time, managed to grow on both viewers and the Five-0 task force itself. He's notorious for his recurring flirtations with Kono, but over the seasons, he becomes something of a lovable rogue.

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9. Dr. Olivia Victor

Dr. Olivia Victor only appeared once in Season 3, but she made a big impression:

"She knew exactly how to push his buttons."

From the moment Steve met her, he was convinced she had murdered her patient and would stop at nothing to prove it. Her ability to get under Steve's skin proved just how dangerous even a quietly manipulative villain could be.

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10. Honorable Mentions and Ties to the Team

While the villains above stood out for their major arcs or unforgettable personalities, there are plenty more who have tested Five-0 in countless ways. Each of these adversaries, from one-off foes to recurring threats, forced the team to grow stronger, closer, and sometimes even more reckless in pursuit of justice.

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Final Thoughts

Hawaii Five-0 introduced viewers to a diverse set of villains, each with their own reasons and methods for going up against the legendary task force. From psychological mind games to deeply personal vendettas, they became a core part of the series' dramatic and action-packed appeal. Whether cunning masterminds or tragic figures, these antagonists helped make Hawaii Five-0 an unforgettable adventure for fans.