There is a unique thrill in photographing the “bad guy.” In the landscape of modern television, the antagonist is rarely just a two-dimensional obstacle for the hero to overcome. Today’s villains are complex, layered, magnetic, and often entirely steal the show. As a portrait photographer, capturing the essence of these actors requires navigating the space between the terrifying characters they portray and the brilliant, multifaceted artists they are in reality.

When you strip away the scripts, the sets, and the costumes, what remains in the studio is raw presence. Here is a look behind the lens at my time photographing three of television’s most iconic and deeply loved antagonists: Brian Cox, Mark Margolis, and Ian McShane.