Top 30 Worst Main Characters on TV Shows

#30: Jessica Day

New Girl (2011-18)

Is it even surprising that the poster child of quirky heroines who are not like other girls is mildly infuriating? Jess from New Girl is an iconic TV character, no doubt, but that doesnt excuse her poor behavior and questionable decisions. At her worst, shes nosy, self-absorbed, insecure, immature, and inconsiderate. The word boundaries doesnt belong in her dictionary, and shes not even sorry about it. Were expected to let it pass as a hallmark of her adorkable personality. However, it affects her relationships, both romantic and otherwise. Sure, Jess was never meant to be perfect, but she couldve been a lot less annoying.

#29: Scrappy-Doo

The Scooby-Doo Franchise (1969-)

Scoob really didnt need a mini foil in the form of a cocky little nephew, but he got one anyway. Scrappy-Doo was introduced with hopes that hed boost the rapidly declining ratings of the franchise. He was created for no other grand reason than to shake things up. So, naturally, his personality wasnt as well-rounded as some of the other Scooby characters. He ended up being used as a plot device, getting the more important characters into trouble. Sure, his shenanigans created the perfect premise for some episodes, but the brunt of the audiences annoyance at the poor writing fell on Scrappy. We do feel bad for the guy, but as viewers, there were simply not many reasons to love him.

#28: Lori Grimes

The Walking Dead (2010-22)

Theres a difference between purposely flawed characters and ones with no direction. Lori Grimes falls in the latter category. Shes not presented as a character lacking common sense, yet somehow makes some of the strangest decisions on the show. Shes also quite hypocritical and manipulative, particularly with Rick and Shane. Shes way too quick to move on to Shane, thinking her husband, Rick, had passed away. Then, when Rick returns, she convinces him to get rid of her lover before proceeding to condemn him for it. She takes pride in being a mother, but would probably get Child Protective Services called on her for how careless she is with Carl. Lets not even get into that random car crash. The writers truly did her dirty.

#27: Kate Austen

Lost (2004-10)

You know a characters cooked when even the actress playing her is tired of her. Kate starts out as a character with immense scope for growth and development. However, as Lost progresses, she becomes more of an afterthought. The show built significant hype around her past, but hardly touched on how it cast a shadow over her present. She had little to no agency of her own but was needlessly reckless and couldnt stay true to her motivations. Most of her screen time was dedicated to the insufferable love triangle she developed with Jack and Sawyer, until she faded into the background. Actress Evangeline Lilly was so fed up with playing Kate that she once sent her script flying in disappointment. What a waste.

#26: Debbie Gallagher

Shameless (2011-21)

Theres no denying that this character had a hard life. Most of her problematic actions, such as her obsession with Matty, her behavior toward Seema, and how she manipulated Derek with her pregnancy, can be attributed to this. After all, she was young and didnt know better. However, as she grows into an adult, she lands herself in even hotter waters, taking others down with her. She chooses terrible partners, is morally corrupt, financially irresponsible, a neglectful mum to her daughter, Franny, and downright ignorant. However, what made her a true representation of the shows title was how indifferent she was to the harm she caused others. Debbies character is meant to be loathed, so the writers didnt even bother to redeem her.

#25: Arthur Read

Arthur (1996-2022)

This anthropomorphized aardvark was quite a problem child. Sure, his behaviors are supposed to help young viewers discern right from wrong, but he crosses way too many lines for comfort. He was a terrible older brother to D.W., resorting to violence against her, and was often seen taunting his friends. Hes too deceptive and prejudiced to be a role model, even though he does eventually learn his lessons. Obviously, these arent grave offenses for a pre-pubescent boy with poor judgment. However, fans cant help but roll their eyes at him because hes perched atop a moral high horse. Perhaps the famous clenched fist meme Arthur birthed best describes how we feel about him. Meta, right?

#24: Mike Ross

Suits (2011-19)

Disliking this character is a rite of passage. There comes a time in every Suits fans life when they realize that the genius fake lawyer they fell in love with was the embodiment of privilege. Dont get us wrong hes incredibly competent. However, his disregard for everyone he puts at risk in his fraudulent career, especially his clients, makes him impossible to root for. Not only does he wrongfully occupy a job that could have gone to a qualified individual, but hes also self-righteous about it. His photographic memory adds novelty to the show at first, but quickly becomes an overused shtick. Mikes relationship with Rachel isnt the healthiest either. Ultimately, his god complex, mixed with his victim mentality, makes him unbearable.

#23: Jughead Jones

Riverdale (2017-23)

When this one says hes a weirdo, believe him. Actor Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead in Riverdale, admitted to taking the role because he thought the character was utterly pretentious, which, in turn, made him relatable. From an actors perspective, that must have been an interesting challenge to take on. However, for audiences, we couldnt help but cringe at his wannabe tendencies. He tried so hard to look like a deep thinker that he often missed what was right in front of him. His intellect hardly improved his relationships, and he lacked empathy. We all know someone like this in our lives, and we probably dont like them either.

#22: Lucas Scott

One Tree Hill (2003-12)

We realize were in feather-ruffling territory here, but it needs to be said! Basketball wasnt the only thing Lucas Scott was good at playing in One Tree Hill. He made his two love interests, Peyton and Brooke, run through hoops for his love, ruining their friendship. He let popularity get to his head and immediately developed a superiority complex while selling himself as the nice guy. He was way too controlling over Haley, leaves his fiancée, Lindsey, for Peyton, and is overall a self-serving serial cheater who isnt nearly as smart as he thinks he is. No wonder he thought hiding his heart condition would be a good idea, without ever considering the feelings of those he was hurting in the process.

#21: Joe Goldberg

You (2018-25)

Some of the best TV characters are anti-heroes, like Walter White from Breaking Bad or Dexter from the eponymous show. Joe Goldberg doesnt belong in that league. Arguably one of the most toxic men on TV, he manages to have fans wrapped around his finger, despite being a raging red flag. You can blame the actor, Penn Badgley, and his charisma for that. However, once the delulu wears off, Joe doesnt have enough redeeming qualities to offset his murderous streak. His crimes may be justified by his own twisted logic, but are senseless to the audience. After a certain point, you end up watching the show out of spite, just to see Joe suffer the consequences of his actions. Thankfully, the finale delivers on that.

#20: Alison DiLaurentis

Pretty Little Liars (2010-17)

There are plenty of flawed characters on this show, yet Ali stands out among the rest. The premise is initially centered around her disappearance and alleged death, and during her absence, flashbacks show her manipulative and cruel nature. She was a full-blown jerk in high school. Just look at how badly she treated everyone, from foes Jenna and Mona to supposed besties Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Spencer. When she eventually reappears, we hope shell want a real fresh start, but a lot of the same patterns remain. She often acts high and mighty, and selfless isnt necessarily a word wed use to describe her. Granted, she grows to some extent, but wed also say Emily in particular deserved better than the romantic relationship they had.

#19: Bela Malhotra

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021-25)

Bela starts off as a naive, ambitious girl whos learning and growing through her mistakes. But, in season two, her character development takes a turn as her behavior goes from loveably unsophisticated to frustratingly self-destructive and selfish. Throughout the episodes, she joins other women in starting their own comedy publication that she eventually gets booted from because shes not a team player. She also notably cheats on her boyfriend Eric. Her actions and antics are maddening to watch. Indeed, she proves shes learned nothing from her time at the toxic Catullan magazine and navigating her relationships the prior season. We arent sure whats next for her, but we hope its better than this.

#18: Ally McBeal

Ally McBeal (1997-2002)

This shows titular character just so happens to be its most annoying. As a lawyer in Boston in the mid-90s and early 2000s, Ally has the opportunity to show what it means to be a career woman at the turn of the century. Instead of doing so in a meaningful manner, she comes off as whiny and needy a lot of the time. Though its possible they were trying to make her relatable, her less-than-rational decisions in life and love make it hard to take her side. Plus, presumably for the sake of humor, she gives off an unprofessional vibe and appears unsteady, which is not a good look, especially in retrospect.

#17: Tori Vega

VICTORiOUS (2010-13)

When youre surrounded by such an awesome cast, sometimes your flaws stand out a bit more. Tori might be the main character in VICTORiOUS, but shes far from the most talented, and even farther from the most likable. One of the first things she does is kiss Beck right in front of his girlfriend, Jade. True, Jade is billed as a mean girl, but this revenge plot takes things a bit too far. But more than that, if were talking talent, the characters surrounding Tori outshine her. Shes definitely a good singer, but when youre standing next to the likes of Ariana Grande, its a bit hard to compete.

#16: Zoey Brooks

Zoey 101 (2005-08)

Even though her name is in the title of the show, wed say she shouldnt necessarily have been the star. Most of Zoeys friends are far more interesting, have more depth, and roll their eyes about a thousand times less often than her. While Zoey starts out as a sweet kid finding her way in her new school, she becomes increasingly bratty and annoyingly good at practically everything. Everyone seems to be obsessed with her despite her pretty standard personality, and she kind of seems emotionless throughout big moments. Zoey 101s initial run ended up only lasting four seasons, but thats probably for the best.

#15: Ross Geller

Friends (1994-2004)

As much as this legendary character is beloved, he is also deeply flawed, which is where most of the comedy comes from. For someone whose core personality trait is his smarts, he certainly lacks emotional intelligence. Hes constantly patronizing others, refuses to take accountability for his objectionable choices, has a brittle ego, and treats women poorly. From breaking up with Bonnie because of her hairor the lack thereofto hitting on his cousin and cheating on Rachel, Ross is a hot mess. His insecurity about Rachel translates into extreme possessiveness, and he constantly undermines and interferes in her career. We could go on, but you get the point. A character like Ross wouldnt earn too many laughs from a modern audience.

#14: Elena Gilbert

The Vampire Diaries (2009-17)

Elena has some moments of heroic selflessness, but theyre few and far between. After she becomes a vampire at the end of season three, she grows increasingly self-centered. We know she goes through a lot, but she often ends up coping in the worst possible ways, and it gets frustrating. Whats more, everyone elses actions seem to magically be justified no matter how horrible they are, as long as they result in saving Elenas life. Her turbulent love triangle with the Salvatore brothers isnt the most likable thing in the world, either. To be fair, theyre to blame for that too. Still, Elena exiting after season six and only briefly returning gave everyone a much-needed break.

#13: Otis Milburn

Sex Education (2019-)

It seems to be a common theme that a lot of the worst main characters start off on the right foot, but go downhill as the series goes on. Otis Milburn is no exception. Hes insensitive towards other people's feelings and his treatment of Ola and Maeve leaves a bad taste in our mouths as well, especially when he lashes out at both of them while intoxicated. One of the worst examples of his disregard for other people is when he abandons Eric, whos meant to be his best friend, on his birthday, leaving him to get hurt. We can only hope that his redemption arc is around the corner.

#12: Jenna Hamilton

Awkward (2011-16)

While other characters on this series tend to grow and improve as time goes on, Jenna becomes more and more unlikable. She lacks emotion, is narcissistic, and behaves in a selfish manner while playing with the emotions of boys who are into her and creating her own cacophony of problems. She cheats on Matty and repeatedly hurts him and Jake. To make matters worse, the third season sees her falling in with the wrong crowd and becoming insufferable. So its hard to believe or root for her when her friends welcome her back with open arms and she and Matty wind up together.

#11: Serena van der Woodsen

Gossip Girl (2007-12)

While Gossip Girl is the true villain of the show, Serena van der Woodsen is arguably an anti-hero. Her entitled behavior lingers over all of her questionable actions. Who could forget her sleeping with Nate while he was with her best friend Blair? Or in the end, when she wants everyone to forgive Dan for being Gossip Girl, and marries him despite everything hes done? Blair often feels like Serena steals attention everywhere she goes, despite not deserving it and we get it! As a main character, shes often messy and hard to watch, as she constantly paves the way for her own downfall and rarely thinks about anyone but herself.

#10: Sabrina Spellman

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-20)

Sabrina Spellman is a part-witch with a lot of potential to grow as a character, but she falls flat in the end, as her development winds up taking a step back. Shes flawed and makes mistakes, and thats fine. But she rarely grows by facing the consequences of her actions, like when she resurrects Tommy. The plan is ultimately a failure, because she thinks the rules dont apply to her. Shes also naive, which causes her to do things impulsively when she should be slowing down and looking at the big picture. Unfortunately, the show ends without us ever seeing her get a meaningful redemption arc.

#9: Emily Cooper

Emily in Paris (2020-)

Emily embodies every stereotype associated with Americans in Europe, living in France and initially making little effort to embrace the language or culture. Sure, that stuff gets better as the series progresses, but its still cringey. Shes also irritatingly successful in marketing where she lands big clients and is given lots of obligations, but is also somehow able to jaunt around Paris as much as she wants. While she couldve been portrayed as naive and bright-eyed while navigating a new country, everything works out just a little too easily for her, and it can be super annoying to watch. Also, she did sleep with her friends ex sorry Em, we dont forget.

#8: Zack Morris

Saved by the Bell (1989-93)

Dont be fooled by that cute smile and those charming fourth wall breaks. As far as were concerned, Zack Morris is a little bit of a narcissist, and a whole lot of a creep. Throughout the series, his favorite pastimes include being gross to women and being a pretty bad friend. In order to feed Lisas shopping obsession, for instance, he starts charging people a dollar to kiss her. And once, in college, he impersonates a professor in order to get a date. But some of Zacks worst offenses come with how he repeatedly mistreats Slater, notably perpetuating the idea that hes violent. If were being honest, were team Slater.

#7: Rory Gilmore

Gilmore Girls (2000-07)

Watching a beloved character become a terrible one is never easy, but in Rory Gilmores case? It was almost unbearable. Rory starts out as your typical precocious teenager. Shes charming, smart, funny, and everything else you want out of a main character. But once she gets to Yale, things take a terrible turn. She starts making one mistake after another. She sleeps with Dean even though hes married, drops out of school, and lets her relationship with her mother Lorelai deteriorate. But the worst part of it all is that for the longest time, Rory doesnt seem to think theres anything wrong with this behavior. She winds up seeming like a far cry from the girl we once knew.

#6: Piper Chapman

Orange Is the New Black (2013-19)

Unlike Rory, this character was annoying from the jump. Piper Chapmans whiny nature worked for Orange Is the New Black at first. Shes an upper class white woman headed for prison, so shes bound to be a bit snobby. But as the show goes on, we learn so much about the other women and their stories, and Piper only becomes more insufferable. Next to all the other inmates at Litchfield Penitentiary, shes so clearly the worst its hard to understand why she was picked as the main character in the first place. We would all definitely rather spend more time with the characters surrounding her than hearing about her panty-selling venture.

#5: Carrie Bradshaw

Sex and the City (1998-2004)

For someone with a column about sex and relationships, Carrie Bradshaw sure seems to be bad at them. But her romantic entanglements were far from her worst transgressions on Sex and the City. For one, shes a pretty deplorable friend. In one episode, Miranda asks Carrie to come help her after she hurts her neck. She delegates the task to Aidan instead of going over herself, and he finds Miranda in a pretty humiliating situation in the bathroom. And speaking of Aidan, wed be remiss not to mention how terribly she treated him too. Leave it to Carrie to drive away the only good guy she ever had!

#4: Ted Mosby

How I Met Your Mother (2005-14)

Theres nothing worse than the TV nice guy whos actually the opposite of nice. Well get to a worse offender later, but for now, give it up for Ted Mosby. The show frames his over-the-top and obsessive nature as romantic, but in hindsight, its kind of just plain toxic. For example, Robin and Ted might be one of the main couples on the show. Yet he always tries to move way too fast and aggressively, getting swept up in his fantasy of them being meant to be. So he often neglects to consider her needs and wants. Yet this type of problematic behavior continues even when he says she wants to be friends, and long after they break up. We truly are appalled.

#3: Hannah Horvath

Girls (2012-17)

When someone like Marnie is a character on your show, its hard to imagine that things could get much more annoying. Enter Hannah Horvath, proving that you should never speak too soon. The main character on Girls is one of the more selfish ones on this list, putting her own, not-so-awful problems above everything else. Her behavior impacts her friendships, her romantic relationships, and even her worklife. On the occasions where Shoshanna called Hannah on her self-obsession, it felt like she was speaking for the entire audience. Her words are harsh, but oh so true and necessary!

#2: Dawson Leery

Dawsons Creek (1998-2003)

Ah, heres the nice guy to end all nice guys. Dawson Leery was sold to us as a boy-next-door type, and billed as the love interest to Joey Potter. But from the moment Dawsons Creek began, every single word that came out of the title characters mouth made him less and less likable. For one thing, hes a bad friend and boyfriend to Joey. Beyond that, hes downright terrible to Pacey, often using their so-called friendship so he can feel better about himself. Its no wonder the writers eventually ended up having Pacey and Joey be the main couple. And its really no wonder the only remnants left of Dawson on the internet are crying memes.

#1: Rachel Berry

Glee (2009-15)

If characters got gold stars for being the absolute worst, Rachel Berry would have a binder full of them. The Glee club is known for being made up of misfits. But we think the reasons Rachel has trouble fitting in have more to do with her mean girl streak than anything else. Shes convinced that shes destined for stardom, and thinks that gives her the right to belittle others. Shes not afraid to sabotage anybody who seems like a threat to her, either. We all remember what she does to Sunshine in season two! And thats saying nothing of her cringeworthy behavior inappropriate crush on Mr. Schuester, anyone?! Rachel spent the majority of her run on Glee being awful, and we couldnt miss her less.

Do you sympathize with any of these characters? Tell us in the comments down below!