The public can be very quick to judge TV charactersto the point that your first impression can often end up being completely wrong, with the perception that they were great all along. This can easily happen with characters who oppose the protagonist in some way, as viewers naturally root for the lead and see anyone blocking their goals as a threat. However, as the characters' motivations become clearer, everyone soon realizes that they have judged them harshly and unfairly.
Many of TV's best characters started out unpopular, but managed to redeem themselves over the course of the series. In some cases, annoying TV characters have managed to become fan favorites as viewers get to know and understand their backstories, motivations, and likeable traits. The long-form nature of television has allowed for more nuanced representations of complex characters whose sympathetic nature and positive traits only reveal themselves over several episodes or even seasons.
10
Cordelia Chase
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
Cordelia Chase was featured in Buffy the Vampire Slayer as one of the most popular students at Sunnydale High, although she initially seemed like a typical mean girl who harmed Buffy and saw her as a threat. While Cordelia slowly insinuated herself into the Scooby Gang and became a close friend of the group and eventual love interest for Xander, it took some time for her positive attributes to really shine. However, it eventually became clear that Cordelia was an assertive and courageous woman, and the audience realized that she was great all along.
Cordelia's role in the Buffyverse extended to the spin-off series Angel, where she joined the vampire with a soul detective agency, fought supernatural forces, and helped save the damned. Cordelia's character arc grew as her more negative characteristics were gradually replaced with a kinder, more selfless personality. Although Cordelia was initially conceived as a foil to Buffy's heroism, she became a three-dimensional and redemptive character along the way.
9
Janice Soprano
The Sopranos (1999 – 2007)
The sister of mob boss Tony Soprano was the perfect example of a character who was initially incredibly unpopular, but who viewers later grew to appreciate. Although Janice seemed like a selfish and vain character who infiltrated Tony's life after returning from his bohemian existence in Seattle, she soon established herself as one of the essential characters of The Sopranos. Janice is a link to Tony's childhood, and since viewers have already been exposed to the influence of her overbearing mother, it makes sense that she wouldn't be without character flaws.
However, Aida Turturro gave an incredible performance as Janice in The Sopranosand throughout the show, his eccentricities, outbursts, and confrontations with Tony made for compelling viewing. Janice added a dark sense of humor The Sopranosand while she might not be the first person viewers wanted to hang out with in real life, she was endlessly entertaining. As a character who amplified The Sopranos'Themes of family dysfunction and generational trauma, in retrospect it's clear that Janice was a great character all along.
8
Steve Harrington
Stranger Things (2016 – Present)
Steve Harrington's redemption in Stranger Things It was truly a marvel to watch as he went from a typical 1980s teen movie bully to one of the series' most beloved characters. Steve was introduced as an obnoxious jock, but there was something inherently engaging about Joe Keery's performance that saw his character transform into a much braver and warmer person. While Steve's role as Nancy Wheeler's stingy boyfriend was short-lived, it was watching how he looked after the well-being of the rest of the young cast in later seasons that made him so popular.
A redemption arc like Steve's is a great way to highlight the positive attributes of a misunderstood character and can help audiences see things in him that they didn't notice upon first viewing. Seeing how Steve became much more friendly with Jonathan and almost like a father figure to Dustin in the later seasons of Stranger Things was one of the most wholesome and fun aspects of the entire show.
7
Ketchum Gray
Pokémon (1997 – present)
It's easy to see why viewers might not have connected with Ash Ketchum at the beginning of Pokémon, as Pikachu himself took a while to warm up to his lifelong companion. Ash was introduced as a 10-year-old boy who loves Pokémon, but despite his fascination with these pocket-sized creatures, he couldn't even wake up in time to catch his first Pokémon from Professor Oak. With a chaotic, ill-prepared quality, it's easy to see why viewers were frustrated with Ash in the early episodes of Pokemon.
However, Ash never lost sight of his quest to become a Pokémon Masterand his uncontrollable commitment and determination eventually turned him into a noble hero. Ash's story was about coming of age, and he always used his abilities to help those he met in need along the way. Watching Ash form intense friendships with Brock, Misty, and everyone else he met along the way showed his positive, caring attributes in a way that made viewers realize he was great all along.
6
Janice Hosenstein
Friends (1994 – 2004)
Although the expression of Janice Hosenstein's catchphrase “OH! MY! GOD!” is enough to send shivers down any sitcom viewer's spine, one has to admit that she was one of the most memorable supporting characters in Friends. As Chandler Bing's irritating and overbearing longtime girlfriend, Janice was a recurring face throughout the film. Friends. While Janice's personality was too hard to bearand while she may have been unpopular at first, it was always exciting when she reappeared in Chandler's life.
Although Chandler seemed to have a hard time accepting how much Janice meant to him, she was the most meaningful relationship he ever had before finally getting with Monica. Maggie Wheeler gave a great performance as Janice and helped ensure that she didn't feel like a one-note character and gave her a level of depth that made her much more than simply a boring girlfriend. As one of the few characters outside of the main cast to appear in every season of Friendsaudiences have grown to love Janice over the years.
5
Peter Campbell
Mad Men (2007 – 2015)
Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency account executive Pete Campbell was downright unpleasant in the early seasons of Mad Men. However, there was also something extremely endearing and real about him, which made the audience gradually get used to this character and eventually start rooting for him. Although the first episodes of Mad Men really put Pete in an antagonistic role, he was one of the few characters who exhibited signs of genuine growth and a desire to overcome his glaring character flaws.
Pete's tendency to imitate those around him to find success and appreciation was an innately human quality, and although he had some ruthless characteristics, his arc was still incredibly compelling. Mad Men highlighted the social and political problems of the 1960sand although Pete benefited from the preferential treatment his privileged background afforded him, viewers still saw many difficult moments that made the audience sympathize with him. Although his story was never clear and it was difficult to classify him as good or bad, there was no denying that Pete was a consistently excellent character.
4
michael scott
The Office (2005 – 2013)
The American version of The office was perhaps the greatest example of a British sitcom being successfully adapted for US audiences. As a favorite of countless viewers who continually watch The office Like his comfort show, it's also clear that there have been some growing pains when it comes to the character of Dunder Mifflin boss Michael Scott. While Steve Carell was a great choice for a sitcom leadMichael's initial characterization was as a highly unlikeable and, at times, malicious character.
Michael's initial portrayal in the first season of The office was trying to replicate the insecure appeal of Ricky Gervais as David Brent in the British version of The office. However, this didn't play into Carell's likable charisma, and it was only when they revamped his character as a much more wholesome and kind-hearted boss that the true power of his performance shined through. Michael worked much better as a bumbling but well-intentioned manager, and the character only came into his own when the writers stopped trying to make him look like David Brent.
3
Howard Hamlin
Better Call Saul (2015 – 2022)
When watching the Breaking Bad spin-off series Better call SaulIt's natural to root for Saul Goodman and Kim Wexler and dislike those who make their lives difficult. This was certainly the case with Howard Hamlin, managing partner of Hamlin Hamlin & McGill, who Jimmy despises. Howard was portrayed as arrogant, arrogant and self-centered in Better call Saulbut when the show ended, the audience began to realize that he was initially misunderstood and was actually a much better person than he was given credit for.
Howard appears to be an unquestioning lackey of Jimmy's cruel brother Chuck, but it later becomes clear that he often defends Jimmy and tries to offer guidance to Kim. Those who watched Better call Saul will know that Howard's story ended in tragedy and that his legacy was dragged through the mud as an extreme consequence of his mostly benign behavior. Attending Better call Saul for once, it's okay to focus on how Jimmy became Saul, but upon rewatching the series, it's clear that Howard was a very misunderstood character and that he was great throughout.
2
Larry David
Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999 – 2024)
If spectators are only exposed to a few minutes of Control your enthusiasmit would be natural to see Larry David as an unpleasant, irrational, and flawed character. Like a protagonist always arguing with everyone he met, this fictionalized version of a real man was clearly the dinner guest from Hell who didn't have the decency to follow social etiquette. However, those who remained Control your enthusiasm and really getting to know Larry will recognize that he has always been a great character and that what seemed like flaws at first glance were actually his greatest assets.
Larry's willingness to stand up for his beliefs and call out ridiculous social behavior wherever he has seen it done Control your enthusiasm essential insight in deconstructing and criticizing the conventions of modern life. From the frustrating nature of watching someone blatantly jump the line with a “talk and cut”to the strange obligation of a“stop and talk”, Larry doesn't let the unspoken social rules of polite society ruin his day. Larry was the man everyone wished they had the courage to be and, therefore, he was always a great character.
1
Skyler White
Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013)
It's hard to think of a TV character who has been more unfairly criticized by viewers than Skyler White from Breaking Bad. As the long-suffering wife of a selfish, meth-making sociopath, the public's sympathy for Walter was so great that they didn't realize that all of the problems and doubts Skyler had with her husband were perfectly reasonable. Like a mother pregnant with a disabled child, all Skyler asked of Walt was that he tell the truthbut he continually gaslighted her and put his family's lives in extreme danger to continue leading his life of crime.
Skyler actress Anna Gunn even wrote an article on The New York Times about the difficult experience of dealing with toxic fans of the series who actively hated her character. While Breaking Bad did a great job of setting up Walt as a sympathetic character, it's clear that Skyler didn't deserve any of this hate, and it was great throughout. It's a testament to Gunn's acting talent that she got such a scathing response from viewers, and she deserves an apology from those who hurt her at the time.
Source: The New York Times