John Paul Williams — known to the Garvey sisters simply as 'The Prick' — is one of television's most gleefully hateful villains, the controlling, cruel husband whose death opens Bad Sisters and whose abuses, told in flashback, supply its motive. Outwardly pious and respectable, JP is a master of quiet domination, isolating his wife Grace and tormenting her sisters with calculated, plausibly deniable malice.
His arc, unspooled backward from his death, is a slow accumulation of small cruelties that build into an unbearable case for his removal. The series dares the audience to root for his demise even as it complicates the question of who actually killed him. JP is the black hole around which the whole comic-thriller orbits.
Claes Bang's chillingly precise, almost seductive performance makes JP both repellent and magnetic.
Key Episodes
S1 E1
The Prick
We meet John Paul in death — and begin to learn why so many people wanted him gone.
S1 E10
Saving Grace
The full truth of John Paul's final days is revealed.
John Paul Williams is one of the central figures in Bad Sisters, a dark comedy/thriller/drama series that aired on Apple TV+ from 2022-present. Within the narrative of Bad Sisters, John Paul Williams serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout Season 1. The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Claes Bang, John Paul Williams has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Claes Bang's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Claes Bang's work has been recognized with 1 major award, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
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? Frequently Asked Questions
Claes Bang plays John Paul Williams, the abusive husband the Garvey sisters nickname "The Prick."
John Paul torments and isolates his wife Grace and abuses her sisters, driving them to plot against him.
