TV’s most disliked characters are either ruthless, expected to infuriate fans, or simply defined by endlessly bad decisions. There’s nothing TV viewers enjoy more than a good dark horse story. Characters like Arya Stark on Game of Thrones and Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad are interesting because they’re well-crafted underdogs. Viewers are likely to empathize with people they care about.
But balanced narratives often include more than one moral dimension; A good TV show requires characters that are both relatable and hateable. However, not every hero is likable and not every enemy deserves to be punished. In fact, some of the most despicable characters in TV history were heroes or anti-heroes. A select few of these characters have earned near-universal condemnation from audiences.
Updated on November 20, 2022 by Ajay Aravind: Some of the best television characters aren’t lovable, you just love to hate them. These characters cause a certain reaction from fans that makes them absolutely unlikeable. Ironically, some of the most morally evil characters in TV history have received universal support from their respective fandoms, like Breaking Bad’s Walter White.
15. Joffrey Baratheon Was the Worst King Imaginable
Joffrey Baratheon was disliked by Game of Thrones fans long before he was crowned King of Westeros. He is a vain, rude, cruel and pathetic Prince who continues to act like a spoiled brat throughout his thankfully short-lived reign.
One of the worst moments that truly defined Joffrey came in the first season, when Ser Ilyn Payne beheaded Ned Stark in front of his daughter Sansa. Joffrey tortured and abused countless women, fled the Battle of the Blackwater, and shamelessly claimed more prestige than he deserved. His death at the Purple Wedding was widely celebrated by the Game of Thrones fandom.
14. Piper Chapman Was the Weak Link in a Great Community
Although Piper Chapman’s story brings many brilliantly written characters into viewers’ lives, she is not one of them. Compared to her hilarious Orange Is the New Black ensemble, Piper seems a bit bland.
Many critics and fans went so far as to call Piper extremely annoying and claimed that much of her screen time could have been better spent with more likable characters. However, Piper’s romantic relationship with Alex Vause is loved by many fans. But even then, Alex gained a much larger fan base than Piper ever had.
13. Rachel Berry Was a Self-centered Bad Girl
Rachel Berry’s musical talent, stage presence and dramatic flair are truly remarkable. Being an extraordinary vocalist and dazzling with her performances, she impresses the audience. However, sometimes Rachel ignores those outside of her abilities, leading to some controversy among fans. Rather than highlighting her own talents, understanding that others may have valuable talents might make her more appreciated by some fans. However, fans’ resentment towards Rachel revolves around her refusal to recognize someone else’s talent.
Rachel manages to be the center of attention no matter the situation. She continues to attract attention even when musical roles are not chosen or deserved opportunities do not come. However, she sometimes has a hard time understanding that other people deserve their own importance.
12. Jenny Humphrey Was A Nightmare To Be Around
Jenny Humphrey entered Gossip Girl as an innocent and then stepped into the complex dynamics of the upper-class world. In this rapidly changing environment, some admired her queen bee attitude while others criticized her ambition. The character of Jenny evolved throughout the series and became a complex and controversial persona.
While trying to raise her social status, Jenny had difficult times in her relationships with her family and friends. She resorted to some illegal means and lost her balance in pursuit of popularity. When he bid farewell to the series, there were mixed emotions among fans, some welcomed this departure, while others saw it with sadness as it ended a different journey.
11. Nate Jacobs Is an Uncompromising Poster Boy for Toxic Masculinity
Nate Jacobs showed his true colors early in Euphoria. He had some challenging moments in his relationships; His relationship with Maddy became complicated, and some of his actions hurt the people around him. He continued to experience challenging moments in his relationships throughout the second season, especially his relationship with Cassie became emotionally complicated. This led to different reactions among viewers.
10. Ross Geller’s Mood Swings Made His Series Difficult to Watch
“Friends” has long been beloved as a nostalgic series and is the perfect entry point to ’90s sitcoms for new viewers. Although Ross, as well as characters such as Rachel, Chandler, Phoebe, Monica and Joey, are loved by the audience of the series, they can sometimes receive a different reaction.
While Ross’s character is relatable to the series about his experiences and past by some viewers, some may find some of his characteristics arrogant or whiny. In addition, some of his decisions in the series, such as his emotional approach to Rachel, his relationship with his students, and his interest in his best friend’s mother, are among the controversial issues.
9- Ted Mosby is a Controlling, Jealous, and Bad Friend
Ted Mosby is the central character and narrator of How I Met Your Mother. While he presents himself as a well-intentioned and romantic person, there were times when he could be controlling or jealous. Some may have different opinions about some of Ted’s difficulties and mistakes in his friendships.
Ted is a character who always focuses on dealing with his own problems, but this can sometimes cause him to fail to attract the attention of his other friends. The presence of characters with distinct personalities, such as Barney Stinson, can sometimes cause Ted to be overshadowed. However, the more pronounced fun aspects of characters such as Marshall, Lily and Robin enrich the dynamics of the series.
8. Will Schuester is a School Teacher with Little Experience and Questionable Ethics
Will Schuester was the Spanish teacher and leader of the Glee Club on Fox’s teen drama Glee. Although he was an educator, his teaching experience was limited and he could sometimes struggle with competence in the challenges he encountered. In some cases, he might have been more emotional and inexperienced with his students, but he tried to guide them with his efforts and passion.
Schuester, who ran the Glee Club, 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 embarrassed viewers, and it’s actually a miracle that he lasted six seasons without any administrative investigation.
7- Riley Finn Added Nothing to the Show Other Than His Brief Romance with Buffy
Riley Finn was a major character in the fourth and fifth seasons of the popular TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He was working for a government agency that dealt with supernatural creatures, and therefore it was inevitable that he would encounter Buffy Summers. Trained to deal with the supernatural world, Riley entered Buffy’s life and played a key role in her adventures.
Riley and Buffy, who initially had a harmonious relationship, realized over time that they had different priorities. Riley’s attitude towards the supernatural world and her instinct to protect caused some difficulties in their relationship. These differences affected the harmony in the relationship of the two. Riley’s departure from the series allowed viewers to introduce a different character to the story, and this change added a new dynamism to the series.
6- Ramsay Bolton’s Horrible Death Was Celebrated by Fans
The character of Ramsay Bolton on Game of Thrones was one of the most complex and dark characters on the series. His quest for power and his inner turmoil made him a difficult character. His ruthless attitude towards his opponents and those around him stemmed from his complex psychology. Ramsay’s presence in the series offered viewers new perspectives in terms of character depth and complexity of the series.
He kidnaps and tortures Theon Greyjoy, rapes Sansa Stark, and murders his father, stepmother, and half-brother in cold blood. Ramsay kills Rickon Stark before the Battle of the Bastards and pays the ultimate penalty for this crime. Game of Thrones fans rejoiced when Ramsay ripped off the hounds’ face.
5- Skyler White Became One of the Most Hated TV Characters of the 2010s
Skyler White became one of the most hated TV characters of the 2010s, and this phenomenon was clearly rooted in fan misogyny. Many viewers disparaged Skyler’s character for standing in Walter’s way, despite her desperate attempts to protect her husband. Skyler never gave up on her true goal – the safety of her children – even when Walter tried to use them as bargaining chips.
However, it wasn’t Skyler’s fault either. While she could (and should) have immediately reported him to the DEA, there was no need for her to tolerate his husband’s criminal activities. Skyler’s decision was morally questionable as it endangered both Flynn and Holly.
4-Homelander Is A Sadistic Boy With An Ego The Size Of Vought Tower
Homelander believes himself to be the ideal expression of humanity, explaining why he can’t stand others stealing his thunder. He thrives under the spotlight and fades away when he loses the support of his fandom.
It’s unfortunate that a character as unstable as Homelander is also the strongest man alive. Homelander can easily impose his will on the world, but he’s also smart enough to play the long-term game. Fans can’t stand Homelander’s terrible behavior, especially after the Season 3 finale of The Boys.
3- Martin Brenner is Almost Not Human, Let alone a Revolutionary Scientist
Those who do not know what is happening in the Hawkins Laboratory of Stranger Things see Martin Brenner as an exemplary scientist. Considering the way he manages a large network of investigators and paranormal projects, Brenner is certainly smart. On the other hand, he locks the children in the basement and inflicts physical, emotional and mental torture on them for years.
In Stranger Things, Brenner throws Eleven into a windowless room to “teach him a lesson” and has Two wear an electric shock collar as punishment for his mistakes. Fans would barely call Brenner a human being, let alone praise his supposedly revolutionary achievements.
2- Kimmy Gibbler Absorbs Fans’ Hate Like A Sponge
Kimmy Gibbler plays a seminal role on Full House. She absorbs the audience’s hatred like a sponge, allowing viewers to appreciate the Tanner family and all their quirks. Kimmy is undoubtedly hilarious, but her raucous laugh and goofy grin don’t make her any cuter.
Everyone on Full House insults Kimmy on a regular basis, including her so-called friends. But Kimmy doesn’t pay attention to this teasing. Even though She loses the support of the whole family, she enjoys being the center of attention. Kimmy returns to Fuller House, where she moves into the Tanner household with her daughter Ramona, essentially filling the same void in the family dynamic as before.
1. Fans Don’t Like Cyrus’ Trailer Park Visits
Trailer Park Boys is one of the best-produced mockumentaries ever made. The series features a number of fascinating character arcs, many of which are so over-the-top that they’re hardly believable to casual viewers. While fans universally love Bubbles, Ricky, and Julian, they’re much less excited when someone like Cyrus waltzes onto the stage.
Unlike the lovable heroes, Cyrus is an irresistible man who constantly disturbs the residents of Sunnyvale Trailer Park. Everything about Cyrus, especially his Fonzie-like outfit and demeanor and his 1979 cherry red Corvette, evokes artsy hacking.
