There is nothing TV audiences enjoy more than a good dark horse story. Characters like Arya Stark in Game of Thrones and Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad are compelling because they’re well-crafted underdogs. Viewers are likely to empathize with people they care about.
However, balanced narratives often contain multiple moral dimensions — a good TV show requires both relatable and hateable characters. That said, not every protagonist is likable, and not every antagonist deserves to be punished. In fact, some of the most despicable characters in TV history have been heroes or antiheroes. A select few of these characters have achieved near-universal condemnation from audiences.
Updated by Fawzia Khan on January 5, 2024: Just like real life, TV shows also have some hated characters who fans couldn’t help but dislike. From their actions to their motivations, these characters evoked a visceral reaction in audiences, which was a testament to the skills of the actors who portrayed them. This list has been updated with new information, photos, and trivia about these TV characters.
15 Joffrey Baratheon Was the Worst King Imaginable in Game of Thrones
- Joffrey Baratheon was, in reality, the son of Cersei and Jaime Lannister.
- He died in Season 4, Episode 2, “The Lion and the Rose.”
10 TV Characters Who Abandoned Their Development
For every character with strong development in a show, there is another character whose story arc was abandoned, leaving them with unfilled potential
Joffrey Baratheon was extremely disliked by fans of Game of Thrones long before he was crowned King of Westeros. He is a smug, unkind, ruthless, and pathetic prince who continues to behave like a spoiled brat all through his thankfully short-lived reign. Sadly, he was also one of the most powerful GoT characters out there.
One of the nastiest moments that defined Joffrey’s true colors took place in the first season when he had Ser Ilyn Payne behead Ned Stark in front of his daughter, Sansa. Joffrey tortured and abused countless women, fled the Battle of the Blackwater, and shamelessly demanded more prestige than he deserved. Game of Thrones fans widely celebrated his demise at the Purple Wedding.
Game Of Thrones
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for a millennia.
- Release Date
- April 17, 2011
- Creator
- David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
- Rating
- TV-MA
- Seasons
- 8
- Production Company
- Home Box Office (HBO), Television 360Grok! Studio
- Number of Episodes
- 73
14 Piper Chapman Was the Weak Link in a Brilliant Ensemble in Orange Is the New Black
- Piper Chapman’s character was based on Piper Kerman, who wrote the nonfiction book that the series is based on, called Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison.
While Piper Chapman’s story brings several brilliantly written characters into viewers’ lives, she isn’t one of them. In comparison to the hilarious Orange Is the New Black ensemble, Piper comes across as a little bland.
Many critics and fans have gone so far as to call Piper deeply annoying, claiming that the bulk of her screen time could have been better spent with more beloved characters. That said, Piper’s romantic relationship with Alex Vause is loved by many fans. Even in this case, though, Alex garnered a much larger fanbase than Piper ever did.
13 Rachel Berry Was a Self-Centered Mean Girl in Glee
- Rachel Berry was raised by two gay fathers, LeRoy and Hiram Berry.
- She went on to win a Tony Award in the show’s narrative.
Behind Bars with ‘Orange is the New Black’ Stars Laverne Cox and Selenis Leyva
Two Litchfield Penitentiary regulars offer a few clues to the latest conflicts in the recently released third season of the Netflix sensation.
Glee‘s protagonist, Rachel Berry, has tons of musical talent, showmanship, and dramatic flair. She is an extremely gifted vocalist and deserves much of the praise she receives over the course of the show. However, fans’ annoyance with Rachel revolves around her refusal to recognize anyone else’s talent.
Rachel makes sure that she is always the center of attention, no matter the occasion. She behaves as if the entire world is against her if she isn’t chosen for solos or given the musical roles she thinks she deserves. Rachel Berry is simply incapable of accepting that other people deserve their time in the sun just as much as she does, which is why she became a hated female TV character.
Glee
A group of ambitious misfits try to escape the harsh realities of high school by joining a glee club headed by a passionate Spanish teacher.
- Release Date
- May 19, 2009
- Creator
- Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk
- Cast
- Matthew Morrison , Jane Lynch , Lea Michele , Dianna Agron , Chris Colfer , Cory Monteith , Naya Rivera
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Rating
- TV-PG
- Seasons
- 6 Seasons
- Production Company
- Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision, Ryan Murphy Productions, 20th Century Fox Television
- Number of Episodes
- 121 Episodes
12 Jenny Humphrey Was a Nightmare To Be Around in Gossip Girl
- Taylor Momsen played Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl.
- Momsen was the same age as her characters when she appeared on the show: 14.
Jenny Humphrey began Gossip Girl as an innocent individual suddenly thrown into a world of upper-class drama. She quickly became a controversial character, dividing audiences into factions who adored her queen bee attitude and those who despised her brazen ambition. Jenny played into the drama, becoming a genuinely mean character.
Jenny ruined relationships with her family and friends just to increase her social status, pursued illegal relationships, and tried to become like other popular mean girls. A sizeable fraction of the fandom was delighted to see her leave Gossip Girl after the fourth season, even though the actor nailed her character on the show.
Gossip Girl
- Release Date
- September 19, 2007
- Creator
- Stephanie Savage, Josh Schwartz
- Cast
- Penn Badgley , Blake Lively , Taylor Momsen , Leighton Meester , Jessica Szohr , Chace Crawford , Ed Westwick
- Rating
- TV-14
- Seasons
- 6 Seasons
- Production Company
- 17th Street Productions, Alloy Entertainment, CBS Paramount Network Television
- Number of Episodes
- 121 Episodes
11 Nate Jacobs Is an Irredeemable Poster Boy for Toxic Masculinity in Euphoria
- Jacob Elordi plays Nate Jacobs on Euphoria, while his younger self is portrayed by Gabriel Golub.
Euphoria: Nate’s Nightmare Revealed His Deepest Fear
Season 2 of HBO’s hit drama Euphoria explored the deepest thoughts of its biggest antagonist and while doing so, it revealed a devastating truth.
Nate Jacobs showed his true colors early on in Euphoria. He abused Maddy, catfished Jules, and beat Tyler to within an inch of his life. He continued treating his romantic partners poorly throughout Season 2, emotionally manipulating Cassie and desperately trying to get Maddy to take him back.
Overall, Nate displayed no signs of being willing to change. Despite his traumatic home life, many fans find Nate’s behavior unforgivable, and rightfully so. Nate Jacobs is a classic example of toxic masculinity — a violent brute who bluntly refuses to take responsibility for his actions.
Euphoria
A look at life for a group of high school students as they grapple with issues of drugs, sex, and violence.
- Release Date
- June 16, 2019
- Creator
- Sam Levinson
- Cast
- Zendaya , Angus Cloud , Maude Apatow , Sydney Sweeney , Jacob Elordi
- Rating
- TV-MA
- Seasons
- 3
- Number of Episodes
- 18
- Network
- HBO Max
10 Ross Geller’s Mood Swings Made Friends Hard To Watch
- David Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller, was encouraged by his high school instructor to attend an acting program at Northwestern University.
Friends is a beloved, nostalgic show for its fans, as well as an excellent introduction to ’90s sitcoms for viewers discovering it for the first time on streaming services. Rachel, Chandler, Phoebe, Monica, and Joey all have a thriving fandom dedicated to them, but Ross Geller remains an anomaly to this day.
Some viewers relate to Ross’ experiences and checkered backstory, whereas others are unable to get past his arrogance, entitlement, and whiny demeanor. Ross also makes several dubious decisions throughout the show’s ten seasons, such as gaslighting Rachel, dating his students, and kissing his best friend’s mother.
Friends
- Release Date
- September 22, 1994
- Creator
- David Crane, Marta Kauffman
- Cast
- David Schwimmer , Matthew Perry , Jennifer Aniston , Matt LeBlanc , Lisa Kudrow , Courtney Cox
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Rating
- TV-14
- Seasons
- 10 Seasons
- Production Company
- Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, Warner Bros. Television
9 Ted Mosby Is Controlling, Jealous, and a Bad Friend in How I Met Your Mother
- Even though Josh Radnor portrayed Ted Mosby, the character’s narrations were voiced by Bob Saget.
Ted Mosby is the protagonist and narrator of the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Set in a nebulous future, Ted recounts his life in his 20s, describing the events that would eventually lead to him meeting his wife and having kids. Ted makes himself out to be a nice, harmless guy, but in reality, he’s controlling, jealous, and a pretty lousy friend.
Whatever situation he’s in, Ted looks out for himself before anyone else. To make matters worse, he’s simply the least interesting character in his friend group and is usually outshined by the supporting characters. The most prominent example is Neil Patrick Harris’s Barney Stinson, but the fact that Marshall, Lily, and Robin are all more fun than Ted drags the show down.
How I Met Your Mother
- Release Date
- September 19, 2005
- Creator
- Carter Bays, Craig Thomas
- Cast
- Josh Radnor , Jason Segel , Neil Patrick Harris , Cobie Smulders , Alyson Hannigan
- Main Genre
- Sitcom
- Rating
- TV-14
- Seasons
- 9 Seasons
- Production Company
- 20th Century Fox Television, Bays Thomas Productions
- Number of Episodes
- 208 Episodes
8 Will Schuester Is a School Teacher With Little Experience and Dubious Ethics in Glee
- Entertainment Weekly named Will one of the “20 Most Annoying TV Characters Ever” in April 2012.
- Will Schuester went on to become the principal of McKinley High in Glee.
10 Shows To Watch if You Enjoy Musicals
Fans of musicals can enjoy the genre on the small screen. From Glee to High School Musical, TV isn’t short on series that embrace song and dance.
Will Schuester was a Spanish teacher and head of the Glee Club in the eponymous Fox teen drama. Although technically an educator, Will had very little teaching experience and was frequently out of his depth. In fact, he often behaved more irrationally and immaturely than some of his students, leading to some terrible episodes of Glee.
Running the Glee Club, Schuester refused to listen to his students, encouraged and participated in inappropriate behavior, and had a questionable relationship with the students on the team. Many of his relationships made audiences cringe, and the fact that he lasted all six seasons without any sort of administrative investigation was basically a miracle.
7 Aside From His Short-Lived Romance With Buffy, Riley Finn Added Nothing to Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- TV Guide named Buffy the Vampire Slayer as one of “The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” in 2002.
Riley Finn was a character in the fourth and fifth seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, arguably one of the greatest TV shows of its time. He was part of a government agency designed to track down and experiment on supernatural creatures in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. As a result of his job, Riley would inevitably cross paths with Buffy Summers.
The two initially hit it off and began dating, but Riley’s toxically masculine need to protect the superhuman Buffy and his unyielding stance on supernatural creatures annoyed both the audience and Buffy. Not many fans complained when Riley departed the show, as it allowed Spike to swoop in and take his place.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
- Release Date
- March 10, 1997
- Creator
- Joss Whedon
- Cast
- Sarah Michelle Gellar , Nicholas Brendon , Alyson Hannigan , Anthony Head , James Marsters , Michelle Trachtenberg , Charisma Carpenter , David Boreanaz
- Rating
- TV-14
- Seasons
- 7 Seasons
- Production Company
- Mutant Enemy, Kuzui Enterprises, Sandollar Television
6 Ramsay Bolton’s Gruesome Death Was Celebrated By Fans in Game of Thrones
- Iwan Rheon, who portrayed Ramsay, admitted that the uniquely disturbing role of Ramsay Bolton did wonders for his career, “but it brought a lot of barriers as well,” as he got typecast in the part.
In a television show full of vile people like Game of Thrones, Ramsay Bolton is quite possibly the worst of them all. It’s not too much of a stretch to describe him as irredeemable, displaying a level of malevolence that would make even Joffrey retch. Ramsay is power-hungry and bloodthirsty, treating opponents, allies, and family members with equal disdain.
Ramsay kidnaps and tortures Theon Greyjoy, violates Sansa Stark, and coldly murders his father, stepmother, and half-brother. Ramsay kills Rickon Stark before the Battle of the Bastards, a crime for which he pays the ultimate price. Game of Thrones fans rejoiced when Ramsay’s own hounds tore his face to pieces.
5 Skyler White Became One of the Most Hated TV Characters of the 2010s in Breaking Bad
- Skyler White was portrayed by Anna Gunn, and she received critical acclaim for her performance.
How Skyler White Became Unpopular in the Breaking Bad Fandom
For the majority of Breaking Bad’s run, Skyler White was the subject of immense vitriol — more than any other member of its morally gray cast.
Skyler White became one of the most hated TV characters of the 2010s, a phenomenon that was clearly rooted in fan misogyny. Several viewers despised her character for standing in Walter’s way despite Skyler’s desperate attempts to protect her husband. Skyler never once wavered from her true goal — the safety of her children — even when Walter tried to use them as bargaining chips.
That said, Skyler wasn’t without her faults. She didn’t need to tolerate her husband’s criminal activities when she could (and should) have instantly reported him to the DEA. Skyler’s decision was morally questionable, as it endangered both Flynn and Holly.
Breaking Bad
A chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family’s future.
- Release Date
- January 20, 2008
- Creator
- Vince Gilligan
- Rating
- TV-MA
- Seasons
- 5
- Franchise
- Breaking Bad
- Cinematographer
- Michael Slovis, Reynaldo Villalobos, Arthur Albert, John Toll, Nelson Cragg, Marshall Adams
- Distributor
- Sony Pictures Television
- Filming Locations
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Main Characters
- Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, Skyler White, Walter White Jr., Hank Schrader, Marie Schrader, Saul Goodman, Gus Fring, Mike Ehrmantraut
- Prequel
- Better Call Saul
- Producer
- Stewart A. Lyons, Sam Catlin, John Shiban, Peter Gould, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Melissa Bernstein, Diane Mercer, Bryan Cranston, Moira Walley-Beckett, Karen Moore, Patty Lin
- Production Company
- High Bridge Entertainment, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television
- Sequel
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
- Number of Episodes
- 62
4 Homelander Is a Cruel Man-Child With an Ego the Size of Vought Tower in The Boys
- The Seven loosely resembles DC’s Justice League, where Homelander has powers and appearances similar to Superman.
Homelander believes himself to be the ideal expression of humanity, explaining why he cannot tolerate anyone else stealing his thunder. He thrives under the spotlight and wilts whenever he loses his fandom’s support.
It’s unfortunate that a character as unstable as Homelander is also the most powerful man alive. Homelander can easily force his will on the world, but he’s also smart enough to play the long game. Fans simply can’t stand Homelander’s egregious behavior, especially after The Boys‘ Season 3 finale.
The Boys
A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.
- Release Date
- July 26, 2019
- Creator
- Eric Kripke
- Cast
- Karl Urban , Karen Fukuhara , Jack Quaid , Erin Moriarty
- Main Genre
- Action
- Genres
- Action , Crime , Drama , Superhero
- Rating
- TV-MA
- Seasons
- 4
- Franchise
- The Boys
- Main Characters
- Homelander, Butchie
- Production Company
- Amazon
3 Martin Brenner Is Barely a Human Being, Let Alone a Revolutionary Scientist in Stranger Things
- Dr. Martin Brenner, portrayed by Matthew Modine, began his arc as an antagonist but settled into a more ambiguous role.
- He appeared in Seasons 1 and 4 of Stranger Things.
Those who don’t know what happens in Stranger Things‘ Hawkins Lab consider Martin Brenner a model scientist. Brenner is certainly intelligent, given the way he manages a vast network of researchers and supernatural projects. On the other hand, he incarcerates children in a basement, subjecting them to years of physical, emotional, and mental torment.
In Stranger Things, Brenner throws Eleven into a windowless room to “teach her a lesson” and makes Two wear an electric shock collar as punishment for his mistakes. Fans can barely call Brenner a human being, let alone praise his supposedly revolutionary achievements and offer him a chance for redemption in Stranger Things.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a popular science fiction horror series on Netflix that takes place in the 1980s in the town of Hawkins, Indiana. The show follows a group of kids who encounter supernatural forces, government conspiracies, and alternate dimensions, all while trying to find their missing friend.
- Release Date
- July 15, 2016
- Creator
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
- Cast
- Winona Ryder , David Harbour , Cara Buono , FInn Wolfhard , Millie Bobby Brown
- Rating
- TV-14
- Seasons
- 5 Seasons
- Production Company
- 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix
2 Kimmy Gibbler Absorbs Fan Hatred Like a Sponge in Full House
- Kimmy Gibbler was portrayed by Andrea Barber in Full House.
Full House: Every Main Character’s Catch Phrase
With Bob Saget’s recent passing, it’s time to look back on the cast of Full House’s memorable catchphrases.
Kimmy Gibbler plays a seminal role in Full House. She absorbs audience hatred like a sponge, thereby allowing viewers to appreciate the Tanner household and all its idiosyncrasies. Kimmy is unquestionably hilarious, but her raucous laugh and goofy grin don’t make her any more likable.
Practically everyone on Full House insults Kimmy on a regular basis, including her so-called friends. Kimmy doesn’t mind the mockery, though. She enjoys basking in the limelight, even if she loses the entire family’s favor. Kimmy returns in Fuller House, where she moves into the Tanner residence with her daughter, Ramona, basically filling the same slot in the family dynamic as before.
Full House
A widowed sportscaster raises his three daughters with assistance from his rock and roll brother-in-law and madcap best friend.
- Created by
- Jeff Franklin
- First TV Show
- full house
- Latest TV Show
- Fuller House
- Cast
- John Stamos , Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen , Bob Saget , Dave Coulier , Candace Cameron Bure , Jodie Sweetin , Lori Loughlin
1 Fans Don’t Really Enjoy Cyrus’s Visits to the Trailer Park in Trailer Park Boys
- Bernard Robichaud, who plays Cyrus, is considered one of the nicest actors on the show, according to a Reddit AMA done by the cast.
Trailer Park Boys is one of the most well-crafted mockumentaries ever made. The series contains a range of fascinating character arcs, many of which are so exaggerated that they barely seem plausible to ordinary viewers. While fans universally love Bubbles, Ricky, and Julian, they’re far less enthused when someone like Cyrus waltzes into view.
Unlike the adorable protagonists, Cyrus is an unbearable man who constantly bothers the inhabitants of Sunnyvale Trailer Park. Everything about Cyrus screams pretentious hack, particularly his Fonzie-esque outfit and attitude and his 1979 cherry-red Corvette.
Trailer Park Boys
Three petty felons have a documentary made about their life in a trailer park.
- Release Date
- April 20, 2004
- Cast
- John Paul Tremblay , Robb Wells , mike smith , John Dunsworth
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Genres
- Comedy
- Rating
- TV-MA
- Seasons
- 12
