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TV show characters have an uncanny ability to evoke intense emotions from us through their actions. Whether it’s utter disgust at a character’s two-timing betrayal or euphoric joy at a protagonist’s redemption, our feelings often go far beyond the screen. Some characters, though, seem designed to make our blood boil. Here's a roundup of characters who stirred the pot and made us yell, “You’ve GOT to be kidding me” — week after week.
Scroll to see the most hated TV characters of all time, according to fans.
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1. Joffrey Baratheon – Game of Thrones
Joffrey wasn’t just hated—he was despised. Sadistic, cowardly, and power-hungry, he tortured for sport and ruled through fear. The cruelty he inflicted on characters like Sansa Stark and countless others was hard to stomach. Rarely has a villain felt so satisfying to see fall.
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2. Livia Soprano – The Sopranos
Tony Soprano’s mother was manipulative, bitter, and emotionally withholding—traits that arguably helped shape Tony into the complex antihero he became. Livia constantly played the victim while pulling strings behind the scenes to destroy her own son’s sense of peace. Cold and calculating, she embodied toxic maternal energy.
Netflix
3. Piper Chapman – Orange is the New Black
Piper started off as the “relatable white woman in prison,” but quickly revealed herself to be manipulative, entitled, and self-centered. While other characters showed immense growth and depth, Piper remained stagnant, whining, scheming, and inserting herself into every conflict, even when it had nothing to do with her.
AMC
4. Skyler White – Breaking Bad
While some critiques of Skyler are steeped in misogyny, it's also fair to say that her character was written to be deeply polarizing. Skyler's coldness, manipulation, and morally gray choices—often matching Walt’s—made her a character many loved to hate, even if she was often right.
NBC
5. Ross Geller – Friends
Ross Geller has long held the title of the most disliked Friends character—and for good reason. Whether he was cheating on girlfriends, obsessively jealous, or yelling “we were on a break!” for the 300th time, Ross’s emotionally immature and selfish behavior made him exhausting to root for. His insecurity often overshadowed any charm he once had.
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6. Logan Roy – Succession
The Roy family patriarch was a kingmaker who thrived on cruelty, control, and pitting his children against one another. Logan’s infamous phrase, “You are not serious people,” sums up his contempt for everyone around him. He wielded power like a sword, leaving scars that ran deep, even after his death.
The CW
7. Jenny Humphrey – Gossip Girl
Jenny started as the sweet, aspiring fashion designer, but quickly devolved into a power-hungry, backstabbing social climber. Whether it was sabotaging Serena or sleeping with Chuck Bass out of spite, Jenny constantly made decisions that made audiences roll their eyes. Her descent into chaos was…a lot.
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8. Mr. Big – Sex and the City
No surprises here. Mr. Big is the archetype of a wealthy, emotionally unavailable man who thinks an expensive meal or a flight to Paris cancels out years of avoidance, manipulation, and gaslighting. His on-again-off-again treatment of Carrie dragged on for years–while she waited outside his door, he was off chasing the next shiny thing. Big sought comfort in Carrie’s endless forgiveness, and she gave it to him, again and again. Exhausting.
Freeform/Disney
9. Ezra Fitz – Pretty Little Liars
At first glance, Ezra seemed like a dreamy English teacher. But let’s not forget: he knowingly dated a teenage student, stalked her and her friends for book research, and constantly manipulated situations to preserve his image. Creepy is an understatement.
AMC
10. Andrea – The Walking Dead
Andrea constantly made the wrong choice at the worst possible time. Her misplaced trust (such as siding with the Governor) and inability to read the room led to avoidable deaths and constant chaos. Fans were relieved when her storyline came to a dramatic close.
Fox
11. Rachel Berry – Glee
Rachel Berry is the textbook definition of a try-hard perfectionist—starving for fame and constantly seeking the spotlight. She went so far as to send herself to a crack house to gain “life experience” before an NYADA audition. While Rachel had several moments of redemption (particularly in her friendships), her relentless self-obsession and diva antics made her insufferable for most of the show’s run.
Warner Bros. Entertainment
12. Scrappy-Doo – Scooby-Doo Franchise
A rare cartoon entry that sparked genuine rage in fans. Scrappy-Doo was meant to revitalize the Scooby-Doo franchise, but his cocky attitude, constant yapping, and complete disregard for team dynamics made him almost universally hated. He hijacked scenes, created unnecessary drama, and eventually got written out for a reason.
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