TV shows have given us some of the most unforgettable characters, but not always for the right reasons. While heroes shine, some characters become universally disliked for being annoying, manipulative, or downright evil.
Whether it’s their bad attitude, poor decisions, or the way they ruined your favorite show, these TV characters have earned a permanent spot on viewers’ hate lists.
Note: This list is based on a mix of personal opinion, online fan rankings, and character analysis from sources like Fiction Horizon and Ranker.
Top 10 Most Hated TV Characters Ever
Get ready for some serious TV villainy. Here’s a breakdown of the top ten most hated characters, ranked by fans and critics, to see who made the infamous list:
| Rank | Character | Show | Why They’re Hated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joffrey Baratheon | Game of Thrones | Petulant tyrant – sadistic and ego‑driven |
| 2 | Ramsay Bolton | Game of Thrones | Sadistic torturer, ultra‑cruel |
| 3 | Cersei Lannister | Game of Thrones | Ruthless queen, cold and power‑hungry |
| 4 | The Governor | The Walking Dead | Charismatic dictatorship, brutal and sadistic |
| 5 | Livia Soprano | The Sopranos | Scheming, manipulative, undermined everyone around her |
| 6 | Todd Alquist | Breaking Bad | Psychopath, killed a kid and took his pet spider |
| 7 | Caillou | Caillou | Whiny, spoiled preschooler annoying parents everywhere |
| 8 | Shō Tucker | Fullmetal Alchemist | Fused his daughter with a dog – monstrously horrific |
| 9 | Rachel Berry | Glee | Narcissistic, single-minded ambition |
| 10 | Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish | Game of Thrones | Master manipulator, betrayer of trust |
Now, let’s look at these characters in more detail.
1. Joffrey Baratheon – Game of Thrones
Joffrey Baratheon, the sadistic boy-king of Game of Thrones, is widely reviled for his cruelty, arrogance, and unchecked power. As the illegitimate son of Cersei Lannister and her brother, Jaime, Joffrey ascends the Iron Throne after Robert Baratheon’s death.
Fans loathed him for ordering Ned Stark’s execution, tormenting Sansa Stark, and abusing his authority with childish malice. His smug demeanor and lack of empathy made his death at the Purple Wedding one of the most satisfying moments in TV history.
2. Ramsay Bolton – Game of Thrones
Ramsay Bolton, originally introduced as Ramsay Snow, quickly became one of Game of Thrones’ most despised villains. Known for his psychopathic tendencies, he delighted in psychological and physical torture – most infamously flaying people alive and breaking Theon Greyjoy into the submissive “Reek.”
His brutal abuse of Sansa Stark and his cold-blooded murder of his father, stepmother, and newborn brother solidified his status as a monster. Fans eagerly awaited his downfall, making his death by his own starving hounds especially satisfying.
3. Cersei Lannister – Game of Thrones
Cersei Lannister, the cunning and ruthless matriarch of House Lannister in Game of Thrones, drew both admiration and intense hatred from fans. As queen, she manipulated her way through the political chaos of Westeros, using her children, family name, and wildfire to maintain control.
Her role in the destruction of the Great Sept – killing hundreds, including Margaery Tyrell – marked a chilling turning point. While undeniably clever, her selfishness, cruelty, and thirst for power made her one of the show’s most hated characters.
4. The Governor – The Walking Dead
The Governor, real name Philip Blake, was one of The Walking Dead’s earliest and most chilling antagonists. As the leader of Woodbury, he appeared charming and composed but was secretly a manipulative tyrant obsessed with control.
Fans despised him for brutal acts like keeping walker heads in tanks, killing his own people, and murdering Hershel Greene in cold blood. His twisted psychology and escalating violence made him a memorable, yet widely hated, villain in the series.
5. Livia Soprano – The Sopranos
Livia Soprano, the cold and manipulative mother of Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, was a masterclass in emotional sabotage. Fans grew to loathe her for her constant guilt-tripping, emotional blackmail, and toxic behavior toward her own family.
Despite Tony’s efforts to care for her, she plotted against him, going so far as to discuss having him killed. Her bitterness, lack of maternal warmth, and psychological manipulation made her one of the most hated characters in TV drama history.
6. Todd Alquist – Breaking Bad
Todd Alquist, introduced in Breaking Bad’s final season, is one of the show’s most quietly terrifying villains. Polite and soft-spoken, he hides a sociopathic streak beneath his calm demeanor.
Fans were horrified when he casually murdered a child during a train heist and later killed Jesse’s girlfriend’s son. His loyalty to the neo-Nazi gang and creepy obsession with Lydia only deepened the disgust. Todd’s lack of empathy and chilling calmness made him incredibly hard to watch – and impossible to forgive.
7. Caillou – Caillou
Caillou, the whiny four-year-old star of the children’s show Caillou, has become an unlikely symbol of TV irritation. While the show aimed to depict relatable childhood experiences, fans – especially parents – found Caillou’s constant tantrums, whining, and lack of consequences deeply frustrating.
He rarely learns from his mistakes and often behaves selfishly, setting a poor example for young viewers. His grating voice and entitled attitude turned what was meant to be an educational show into a parental nightmare.
8. Shō Tucker – Fullmetal Alchemist
Shō Tucker from Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most universally despised characters in anime history. A seemingly kind alchemist and father, he horrified fans when he sacrificed his daughter Nina and her dog Alexander by fusing them into a talking chimera – all to maintain his research credentials.
His cold rationalization of this monstrous act revealed a disturbing lack of morality. Tucker’s betrayal of his daughter’s innocence left a lasting emotional scar on viewers and defined him as utterly irredeemable.
9. Rachel Berry – Glee
Rachel Berry from Glee is a talented yet polarizing character who quickly drew the ire of many fans. As the ambitious star of New Directions, she constantly craved the spotlight and often disregarded her teammates’ feelings to get her way.
Her arrogance, self-centeredness, and relentless need for validation made her hard to root for, even when she faced setbacks. While she grew over time, Rachel’s diva behavior and lack of humility kept her firmly in the “love to hate” category.
10. Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish – Game of Thrones
Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish from Game of Thrones was the master manipulator whose schemes sparked much of the show’s chaos. From betraying Ned Stark to orchestrating the War of the Five Kings, his cunning actions led to countless deaths and instability across Westeros.
Fans hated him for his creepy obsession with Sansa Stark and his constant backstabbing. Though intelligent and strategic, his smug demeanor and selfish ambition made his downfall a deeply satisfying moment for viewers.
Controversial Picks: Loved by Some, Hated by Others
Not every hated character is universally despised – some split fanbases right down the middle. Whether it’s misunderstood intentions, complex arcs, or just being too real, these characters are both loved and loathed depending on who you ask:
- Ross Geller (Friends) – Some saw him as sweet and awkward, others found him whiny, controlling, and insufferable (yes, we were on a break… but still).
- Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones) – A fan-favorite turned controversial in the final season after a sudden descent into tyranny.
- Skyler White (Breaking Bad) – Critics praised her realism, but many fans unfairly labeled her the villain of Walter’s story.
- Piper Chapman (Orange Is the New Black) – Started as the lead, but quickly became the least interesting – and often most annoying – part of the show.
- Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother) – Romantic idealist or self-absorbed narcissist? Fans still debate whether Ted was endearing or just exhausting.
What Makes a TV Character So Unlikable?
So, what exactly turns a character from watchable to please-let-them-leave-the-show? It’s usually not just one thing – it’s a mix of traits that viewers can’t ignore:
- Lack of accountability – Characters who constantly mess up but never face consequences (looking at you, Ross Geller) tend to wear out their welcome fast.
- Annoying personality quirks – A little weirdness is charming – until it’s not. When quirks turn into full-blown irritants, audiences start rooting against the character.
- Bad writing or character arcs – Nothing turns fans faster than inconsistent behavior or sudden, unexplained changes in a character’s personality (yes, Daenerys – we’re still confused).
- Moral grey areas or betrayal – Characters who constantly backstab, lie, or shift loyalties (Littlefinger, anyone?) earn hate even if they’re technically smart or strategic.
Basically, if a character makes the audience feel consistently frustrated, disappointed, or exhausted, it’s game over for likability.
Why Do Some TV Characters Get So Much Hate?
Some TV characters push all the wrong buttons – on purpose or not. Betrayals, selfish choices, annoying quirks, or even just existing as the antagonist can fire up fans. Sometimes, it’s not the character but how they’re written that stirs backlash.
Other times, it’s brilliant acting that makes a villain too believable. Love or loathe them, these characters leave a strong impression – and that’s exactly why we can’t stop talking about them.
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Conclusion: Joffrey Baratheon is the most disliked TV character
TV history is packed with unforgettable characters, but some are unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Whether it’s manipulation, cruelty, or just plain annoyance, these characters left fans fuming.
At the top of the hate list, we’ve got Joffrey Baratheon, the ultimate TV tyrant, followed closely by Ramsay Bolton’s sadism and Cersei Lannister’s cold ambition. From morally grey anti-heroes to badly written sidekicks, there’s no shortage of personalities that made us yell at our screens.
Love them or hate them – these characters got people talking, and that’s what good TV does.
FAQs
Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones is widely considered the most hated due to his cruelty, arrogance, and sheer unpredictability.
Some actors face backlash simply because they played hated characters too well, blurring the line between fiction and real life.
Often, yes! When fans feel strong emotions, it usually means the actor delivered a convincing, powerful performance – even if it was infuriating.
Skyler White from Breaking Bad is often seen as misunderstood – many disliked her, but she acted out of survival and morality.
Poor writing or inconsistent arcs can quickly turn a fan-favorite into a frustrating mess, no matter how good the actor is.
