15 TV Reboots That Race-Swapped the Villain Instead of the Hero

Casting directors for modern television reboots often seek to diversify ensembles by reimagining classic characters. A common trend involves updating the ethnicity of the antagonist while keeping the hero faithful to their original appearance. This creative choice can add new layers to the dynamic between the protagonist and their rival. These adaptations prove that a change in background can offer a fresh take on familiar stories.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

Lance Reddick stars as the iconic villain Albert Wesker in this Netflix adaptation. The character appears as a white man with blonde hair in the original video game series. This version presents Wesker as a scientist and father figure who struggles to control his creations. He works for the Umbrella Corporation and attempts to manage the disastrous effects of the T-virus.

‘The Boys’ (2019–Present)

Jessie T. Usher portrays the speedster A-Train in this dark superhero satire. The character is depicted as white in the original comic books by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. He serves as a core member of The Seven and battles severe addiction problems throughout the series. His reckless actions ignite the central conflict with the show’s protagonists.

‘Doctor Who’ (2005–Present)

Sacha Dhawan took on the role of The Master during the tenure of the Thirteenth Doctor. This renegade Time Lord has historically been played by white actors since the show began. Dhawan brings a manic and unhinged energy that contrasts with the composed demeanor of previous incarnations. He reveals devastating secrets about the history of Gallifrey that shatter the Doctor’s worldview.

‘The Witcher’ (2019–Present)

Mimi Ndiweni portrays the powerful Nilfgaardian sorceress Fringilla Vigo. The character is described as a pale woman in the Andrzej Sapkowski novels and the video games. She serves as a primary antagonist who utilizes forbidden magic to advance her empire’s conquest. Her storyline explores the cost of power and her complex rivalry with Yennefer of Vengerberg.

‘Krypton’ (2018–2019)

Colin Salmon stars as General Dru-Zod in this Superman prequel series. Zod is typically depicted as a white Kryptonian military leader in comics and film. He travels back in time to change the past and secure the survival of his planet. The character acts as both a familial ally and a ruthless ideologue willing to sacrifice anything for his people.

‘Titans’ (2018–2023)

Esai Morales plays the deadly assassin Deathstroke in this gritty DC Universe adaptation. Slade Wilson is traditionally drawn as a white man in the Teen Titans comic books. This iteration harbors a deep personal grudge against Dick Grayson and his team of young heroes. He systematically dismantles the group through psychological manipulation and superior combat skills.

‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)

Ariyon Bakare portrays the menacing Lord Boreal in this adaptation of Philip Pullman’s trilogy. The character in the book series is an older white Englishman with a high social standing. He crosses between parallel worlds to collect artifacts and gain leverage over his enemies. Boreal uses his charm and political influence to threaten the safety of the young protagonist Lyra.

‘Castlevania’ (2017–2021)

Adetokumboh M’Cormack voices the devil forgemaster Isaac in this animated series. The source video game depicts Isaac as a pale white man with red hair and bondage gear. This version is a former slave who finds his only loyalty in Dracula and hates humanity for its cruelty. He eventually builds a massive army of night creatures to forge his own path of conquest.

‘Superman & Lois’ (2021–Present)

Chad L. Coleman portrays the intimidating crime boss Bruno Mannheim. The leader of Intergang has historically been drawn as a white mobster in DC Comics. He runs criminal operations in Metropolis while hiding behind the facade of a charitable businessman. Mannheim seeks to cure his dying wife by using dangerous experimental technology from Krypton.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

Tao Okamoto plays Mercy Graves in the fourth season of the CW series. The character originated in the animated series as the white blonde bodyguard of Lex Luthor. This live-action adaptation reimagines her as a brilliant strategist who champions an anti-alien agenda. She works alongside her brother to destabilize the relationship between humans and extraterrestrials.

‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021–Present)

Johann Myers portrays the sinister darkfriend Padan Fain. The Robert Jordan fantasy novels describe the character as a pale and skinny white man. He begins the story as a traveling peddler who betrays the heroes to the forces of the Dark One. Fain evolves into a chaotic entity who hunts the protagonists with a corrupting dagger.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

Sendhil Ramamurthy plays the terrifying villain known as Bloodwork. Ramsey Rosso appears in the DC comics as a white hemophiliac who experiments with blood. The TV adaptation depicts him as a brilliant doctor who becomes desperate to cure his rare genetic disease. He transforms into a monster who intends to eliminate death by infecting the population of Central City.

‘Stargirl’ (2020–2022)

Meg DeLacy plays the high school antagonist Cindy Burman who goes by the villain name Shiv. The character is a white female in the original comic books created by Geoff Johns. She possesses enhanced physical abilities and retractable blades that emerge from her wrists. Shiv serves as a direct rival to Stargirl and constantly seeks to prove her worth to the Injustice Society.

‘Gotham’ (2014–2019)

Michelle Veintimilla and Camila Perez share the role of the arsonist Firefly. The pyromaniac villain Garfield Lynns is depicted as a white male in the Batman comic books. This adaptation changes both the gender and ethnicity of the character to a woman named Bridgit Pike. She utilizes a flamethrower suit to wreak havoc across the city and challenges the police.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ (2018–2020)

Tati Gabrielle stars as the witch Prudence Blackwood. The character is the leader of the Weird Sisters and serves as the initial rival to the half-mortal Sabrina Spellman. Prudence is an original character for the show but fills the role of the mean girl antagonist often occupied by white characters in teen dramas. She eventually develops a complex relationship with Sabrina as they face greater threats together.

Tell us which of these villain performances you enjoyed the most in the comments.