15 Most Hated Characters In TV History, Ranked

15. Emily Waltham from ‘Friends’

Introduced as Ross Geller's British love interest, Emily Waltham was intensely disliked, not just the ‘Friends’ group, but also fans. Her controlling behavior after Ross accidentally said Rachel’s name at the altar ticked people off. Emily’s demands, such as asking Ross to stop seeing Rachel, came off as possessive. Fans who rooted for Ross and Rachel saw her as an obstacle and never truly warmed up to her.

14. Mr. Big from ‘Sex and the City’

Mr. Big, played by Chris Noth, was a romantic enigma. He was charming yet infuriating. Over six seasons and then the two movies, he repeatedly hurt Carrie Bradshaw, proving that he was manipulative and toxic. Mr. Big’s cold feet, inconsistent commitment, and apparent inability to communicate made him the poster child for emotionally unavailable men. His sudden death in the reboot series, ‘And Just Like That…’ was something of poetic justice for fans.

13. Jenny Humphrey from ‘Gossip Girl’

Jenny Humphrey might’ve started as a sweet, ambitious outsider in ‘Gossip Girl,’ but quickly transformed into one of the most disliked characters on the show. Her hunger for popularity and power corrupted her, and she often betrayed her near and dear ones. Jenny’s manipulative tactics, rivalry with Blair, and repeated bad choices alienated fans — especially after she caused major drama in Dan and Serena’s relationship. By the end, viewers were glad to see her go.

12. Ross Geller from ‘Friends’

Ross Geller might be one of the main six, but he’s also the most polarizing. From the infamous “we were on a break!” drama to his jealousy, arrogance, and hypocritical attitudes, Ross gradually wore down many ‘Friends’ fans' goodwill. His obsessive need to be right and his poor treatment of women (including his “lobster” Rachel) turned him into a delusional nice guy archetype many viewers couldn’t stand. In retrospect, Ross brought a surprising amount of cringe to his comedy.

11. Lori Grimes from ‘The Walking Dead’

There are many heinous characters in ‘The Walking Dead.’ But Lori Grimes, though not a villain, drew much criticism early on. She was often portrayed as indecisive and hypocritical, particularly in her relationships with Rick and Shane. Many fans blamed her for creating unnecessary tension, being an unreliable mother, and contributing to the collapse of group’s bond. Lori’s moral ambiguity and frequent missteps made her an obvious target of scorn.

10. Piper Chapman from ‘Orange Is the New Black’

At the beginning of the show, Piper Chapman served as the audience's way into the prison system. But her self-centered behavior, privilege, and cluelessness offset her spiral into the show’s least likable characters. Piper’s actions often put others in danger, and she rarely faced consequences the way her fellow inmates did. As the story progressed, even the writers seemed to pivot away from Piper, focusing on more compelling and sympathetic characters.

9. Rachel Berry from ‘Glee’

Rachel Berry’s ambition was admirable — but her relentless pursuit of stardom, paired with her narcissism and lack of empathy, quickly wore thin. While she had moments of vulnerability, her selfishness and tendency to sabotage friends and rivals alike made her a lightning rod for fan frustration. Even Rachel’s musical talent couldn't redeem her from the reputation of being a high school diva with little emotional growth on ‘Glee.’

8. Todd Alquist from ‘Breaking Bad’

Todd Alquist may have looked harmless, but he soon cemented his place as one of the most cold-blooded characters on ‘Breaking Bad.’ His polite demeanor masked his capacity for horrific violence, including the shocking murder of a child. Todd’s sadistic treatment of Jesse Pinkman sealed his fate as a loathsome TV villain. That chilling contrast between his bland persona and inhumane actions made him unforgettable. Yes, for all the wrong reasons.

7. Livia Soprano from ‘The Sopranos’

As Tony Soprano’s mother, Livia was a masterclass in emotional warfare. Cold, bitter, and pathologically passive-aggressive, she took pleasure in sowing misery. Livia’s toxic influence on her family, especially Tony, helped lay the psychological foundation for many of his issues. Fans loathed her not because she was a cartoon villain, but because her cruelty felt disturbingly real.

6. Shou Tucker from ‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’

Shou Tucker committed one of the most horrifying acts in anime history: fusing his own daughter Nina with their family dog in a gruesome alchemic experiment. His quest for scientific advancement (often at the cost of humanity) earned him instant and unanimous hatred from fans. In a show full of moral complexity, Tucker stands out as unambiguously monstrous. His betrayal left emotional scars on both the characters and the viewers.

5. Cersei Lannister from ‘Game of Thrones’

Cersei Lannister was cunning, ruthless, and proud. Well, Lannisters are known for being master manipulators, but Cersei didn’t just use her power to further her family's interests, but she eyed the Iron Throne for herself. And, the horrific cost for her ambitions was paid by her children. Cersei orchestrated murders, controlled her children, and enacted cruel revenge. Yet what made her especially reviled was her unwavering sense of entitlement and her smug defiance, even in the face of disaster.

4. The Governor from ‘The Walking Dead’

The Governor was The Walking Dead’s first truly chilling villain. Under the guise of a benevolent leader, he manipulated, murdered, and terrorized anyone who got in his way. From beheading prisoners to keeping walker heads in fish tanks, his sociopathic tendencies were hard to watch. Viewers despised him for his cruelty, especially after his brutal attack on Hershel and the prison.

3. Skyler White from ‘Breaking Bad’

Skyler White may be one of the most unfairly hated characters in the history of TV shows. As the wife of Walter White, her resistance to his drug empire made her a target for fans who were enchanted by the man. However, Skyler also made questionable choices, including laundering money and enabling Walt's double life. Her perceived hypocrisy and moral ambiguity made her divisive. It’s a sad reality though that much of the hatred stemmed from misogynistic backlash rather than Skyler’s actual actions.

2. Ramsay Bolton from ‘Game of Thrones’

‘Game of Thrones’ doled out psychopathic characters on a blood-soaked platter. Ramsay Bolton certainly was a sadist of the highest order. His was a character whose every appearance promised new depths of menace. From torturing Theon Greyjoy to abusing Sansa Stark and flaying enemies alive, Ramsay was the embodiment of pure evil. He was terrifying when alive, and his death was one of the most satisfying moments in the entire series. Fans hated him, and that was exactly the point.

1. Joffrey Baratheon from ‘Game of Thrones’

The worst of the worst is none other than Joffrey Baratheon. He was the smug, sadistic boy king who reigned with unchecked cruelty on ‘Game of Thrones.’ Joffrey relished in the suffering of others — executing Ned Stark, tormenting Sansa, and abusing his power at every turn. Fans couldn’t stand the character who was spoiled, power-drunk, and devoid of empathy. So, Joffrey’s death was widely celebrated, not just for the shock value, but for the relief of finally seeing TV’s most hated tyrant fall.