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14 TV Characters Who Instantly Won Our Hearts and 13 Who Nearly Ruined Their Shows

Occasionally, TV show writers create a character so intricate and well-developed that they feel incredibly real to the audience. These remarkable characters can elevate an entire show, making it worth every minute of screen time.

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But, as we all know, there’s the flip side — characters so poorly written or insufferable that they almost ruin the show they’re in. Whether they’re irredeemably villainous, utterly annoying, or simply unbelievable, these characters can leave a bad taste in viewers’ mouths.

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Let’s take a closer look at some of the best-loved TV characters and those that fans couldn’t stand. This list is packed with fan favorites and the ones we all love to hate. Ready to dive in?

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Characters Everyone Loves:

1. Omar Little (“The Wire”)

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Played by: Michael K. Williams
Omar Little is easily one of the most beloved characters in TV history. Why? He’s a perfect example of complexity done right. Omar may be involved in questionable activities, but his moral code and genuine humanity shine through. Fans can’t help but root for him, making him one of the most compelling characters ever written.

2. Dr. Cox (“Scrubs”)

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Played by: John C. McGinley
Dr. Perry Cox is the epitome of a multi-faceted character. He’s sharp, witty, and absolutely hilarious, yet his abrasiveness hides a huge heart. Episodes like “My Screw Up” highlight the depth of his character, cementing his place as one of the best in TV history.

3. Michael Scott (“The Office”)

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Played by: Steve Carell
Michael Scott may start as an awkward and cringe-inducing boss, but as his layers unravel, viewers discover a character with a big heart and hilarious one-liners. His departure marked a significant turning point in the series, proving just how pivotal he was to the show’s success.

4. Kim Wexler (“Better Call Saul”)

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Played by: Rhea Seehorn
Kim Wexler’s intelligence, morality, and independence make her a standout character. Fans particularly appreciate her balance of professional drive and personal integrity, often comparing her favorably to Skyler White from “Breaking Bad.”

5. Captain Kirk (“Star Trek”)

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Played by: William Shatner
Captain Kirk’s leadership qualities have been admired for decades. He’s confident, calm under pressure, and incredibly intuitive, making him a timeless example of a great leader.

6. Walter White (“Breaking Bad”)

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Played by: Bryan Cranston
Walter White’s transformation from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug lord is one of the greatest character arcs in television history. His journey is as captivating as it is chilling, solidifying his place as one of the best-crafted characters of all time.

7. Leslie Knope (“Parks and Recreation”)

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Played by: Amy Poehler
Leslie Knope is a beacon of positivity and ambition. Her unmatched dedication to her work and her friends, combined with her infectious optimism, makes her one of the most beloved characters in modern TV.

8. Dana Scully (“The X-Files”

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Played by: Gillian Anderson
Dana Scully’s intelligence, independence, and strength have inspired generations of viewers. Her character broke stereotypes, showing that women in TV could be complex, mature, and driven without relying on romance-driven storylines.

9. Ted Lasso (“Ted Lasso”)

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Played by: Jason Sudeikis
Ted Lasso’s unshakable optimism and kind-heartedness make him an incredibly endearing character. He’s a refreshing departure from the usual cynical protagonists and inspires viewers to approach life with a positive outlook.

10. Santana Lopez (“Glee”)

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Played by: Naya Rivera
Santana’s humor, confidence, and emotional depth made her a standout character on “Glee.” Her coming-out journey resonated with fans and provided representation for LGBTQ+ viewers, solidifying her place as an icon.

11. George Costanza (“Seinfeld”)

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Played by: Jason Alexander
George Costanza is one of the most relatable sitcom characters ever. His neurotic tendencies and hilarious misadventures have made him a fan favorite, even decades after “Seinfeld” ended.

12. Homer Simpson (“The Simpsons”)

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Voiced by: Dan Castellaneta
Homer Simpson’s lovable nature and comedic brilliance have made him an enduring TV icon. Few characters can carry a show for over 30 seasons, but Homer does it effortlessly.

13. Eleanor Shellstrop (“The Good Place”)

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Played by: Kristen Bell
Eleanor’s journey from a selfish individual to a selfless leader is both heartwarming and inspiring. Her witty humor and relatability make her one of the most enjoyable characters to watch.

14. Zuko (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”)

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Voiced by: Dante Basco
Zuko’s redemption arc is one of the most memorable in TV history. His growth from a conflicted antagonist to a beloved hero showcases masterful storytelling and character development.


Characters People Love to Hate:

15. Carrie Bradshaw (“Sex and the City”)

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Played by: Sarah Jessica Parker
Carrie’s questionable decisions and self-centered behavior often left viewers frustrated. While the show is iconic, Carrie’s actions frequently overshadowed her supposed charm.

16. Joffrey Baratheon (“Game of Thrones”)

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Played by: Jack Gleeson
Joffrey is the quintessential villain fans love to hate. His cowardly and cruel nature makes him one of the most despised characters in TV history.

17. Ted Mosby (“How I Met Your Mother”)

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Played by: Josh Radnor
Ted Mosby’s self-proclaimed “nice guy” persona didn’t sit well with many viewers. His treatment of women and incessant whining made him a polarizing character.

18. Owen Hunt (“Grey’s Anatomy”)

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Played by: Kevin McKidd
Owen’s toxic relationships and lack of redeeming qualities turned fans against him. His treatment of Cristina Yang, in particular, left a lasting negative impression.

19. Zach Morris (“Saved by the Bell”)

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Played by: Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Zach’s manipulative and selfish behavior earned him a spot on the “most hated” list. Despite being the show’s protagonist, his actions often made him hard to root for.

20. Dawson Leery (“Dawson’s Creek”)

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Played by: James Van Der Beek
Dawson’s self-righteousness and constant melodrama made him one of the least-liked main characters in teen drama history.

21. Andy Bernard (“The Office”)

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Played by: Ed Helms
Andy’s inconsistent character development and erratic behavior frustrated many fans. His decisions often felt out of place, making him one of the least popular characters on “The Office.”

22. Caillou (“Caillou”)

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Voiced by: Jaclyn Linetsky
Caillou’s whiny and bratty demeanor made him unbearable for many viewers. He’s often cited as one of the most annoying TV characters of all time.

23. Ziggy Sobotka (“The Wire”)

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Played by: James Ransone
Ziggy’s reckless and childish behavior made him a frustrating addition to an otherwise stellar cast. His lack of consideration for others only added to his unlikability.

24. Nate Shelley (“Ted Lasso”)

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Played by: Nick Mohammed
Nate’s betrayal of Ted Lasso turned fans against him. His actions felt like a slap in the face to one of TV’s most beloved characters.

25. Mike Ross from Suits

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Played by: Patrick J. Adams

Why all the hate? Sorry to my fellow Canadian (yes, Patrick is Canadian), but it’s hard to justify Mike as a protagonist. Not only are his actions increasingly immoral as the series goes on, but he also has QUITE the superiority complex, which never fails to irk me. Also, can I just say it? He’s just not a nice person. Sorry to all the Mike stans out there, but he’s a bit too unlikable for my taste. (Side note: I just know that if he were a woman, way more people would agree.)

26. Tori Vega from Victorious

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Played by: Victoria Justice

Why all the hate? No shade to Victoria Justice, who I absolutely LOVE, but Tori was definitely more irritating than she needed to be. Virtually every single problem on Victorious could be traced back to her — and more than that, she was just annoying for many fans to watch. I know it’s a bit controversial, but I’m on Team Jade for this one.

27. Will Schuester from Glee

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Played by: Matthew Morrison

Why all the hate? I bet you expected me to put Rachel Berry on this list, didn’t you? Well joke’s on you, because I actually adore the complexity behind Rachel Berry’s character. Instead, let’s talk about the seriously problematic “Teacher of the Year,” Will Schuester, the creepy man who gets way too close to his students and has no life. I personally don’t despise Will as much as the internet does, but with time and distance, I totally understand the “Will is weird” angle.

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