In the landscape of television, a villain or a polarizing character can be as compelling as a hero. Charisma can stand beside malevolence, and a figure like Negan from The Walking Dead embodies this pull. Yet some characters spark strong aversion from audiences, even when they aren’t the outright villains of the story, provoking antipathy and hostility in viewers.
Here is a list of ten characters from 21st-century TV who are among the most despised. Is yours on this list? Which would you add?
Joffrey Baratheon
Joffrey Baratheon, the young king of Westeros portrayed by Jack Gleeson, inspires intense dislike. His cruelty, sadism, and arrogance make him a character easy to hate. He stands as a quintessential example of the villain audiences love to loathe. [HBO]
Joffrey’s unchecked brutality and pompous demeanor drive the narrative tension, and his actions become a litmus test for how viewers react to tyrannical power on screen.
Skyler White
Skyler White from Breaking Bad, brought to life by Anna Gunn, is not a villain in the conventional sense, yet she sparked a serious wave of disapproval from many fans. Her choices to secure her family’s future collide with Walter White’s criminal world, creating friction and debate about loyalty, morality, and risk.
Skyler’s portrayal challenges viewers to see through the eyes of a partner entangled in danger, leading to lasting discourse about motivation and judgment in high-stakes situations. [AMC]
Piper Chapman
In Orange Is the New Black, Piper Chapman, played by Taylor Schilling, is often seen as self-centered and manipulative. Some viewers feel the arc focuses too much on her personal concerns at the expense of other characters, and this perception colors how the show’s dynamics are enjoyed. Her evolution can feel underappreciated by audiences who expect different sacrifices or choices from a central figure.
Hannah Horvath
Hannah Horvath, the protagonist of Girls portrayed by Lena Dunham, is a young writer navigating life and career. Despite being central to the series, some viewers view her narcissism and egocentrism as obstacles to audience sympathy, which colors their connection to the show.
Her struggle to find a place in the world becomes a point of contention for fans who crave broader empathy or different decisions from the main character. [HBO]
Ted Mosby
Ted Mosby, the lead in How I Met Your Mother, is a narrator and planner who guides a group through dating adventures. Viewers often describe his attitude as assertive and self-centered, which makes him a less universally beloved figure than his friends. The humor and heart of the series sometimes clash with his self-assured approach to love and life.
Ross Geller
Ross Geller from Friends remains a frequent target of critique even as the show continues to find new audiences online. His obsessive and jealous behavior in relationships, along with his occasional resistance to change, fuels ongoing debates about character growth and adaptation across eras and platforms. [Friends]
Carl Grimes
Carl Grimes, a central figure in The Walking Dead, is portrayed as a child growing up in a brutal world. Audiences have debated his reckless and sometimes disobedient actions under life‑or‑death pressure, plus a long-running conversation about the character’s development through the seasons. His distinctive hat often polarizes viewers as well.
Betty Draper
Betty Draper from Mad Men, portrayed by January Jones, is depicted as cold and distant within the family drama. Her superficial and materialistic attitudes, combined with a distant stance toward her children, contribute to a lasting negative impression among viewers who expect warmer or more complex personal growth.
Bryce Walker
Bryce Walker, from 13 Reasons Why, is portrayed by Justin Prentice as a wealthy young man whose cruel actions and abuses power over others. The character’s wild and cruel nature makes him deeply obnoxious to many viewers and a frequent subject of intense discussion about accountability and consent on screen.
Dana Brody
Dana Brody, from Homeland, is introduced as the daughter of the central figure. Over the course of the series, her unruly, insecure, and troubled behavior leads audiences to question her relevance to the plot, generating a sense of unease and discontent among fans. [Homeland]
Everyone has opinions about these characters. In many cases, the disapproval is a deliberate design choice to generate strong reactions and keep viewers engaged. Sometimes it reflects personal experiences and biases, sometimes it tests a show’s ability to portray moral ambiguity. Still, these controversial figures add fuel to the ongoing debate about what makes a character memorable or maddening in a long-running series.
Ultimately, the appeal of such characters lies in their power to provoke discussion. They remind audiences that the best television often hinges on figures who spark genuine emotion, whether that emotion is admiration or disdain. In the end, the most hated characters are also among the most talked about, keeping shows lively episode after episode.