Audiences can be very quick to judgeTV characters, to the point that their first impression can often turn out to be entirely wrong, with the realization that they were great all along. This can easily happen to characters who oppose the protagonist in some way, as viewers naturally root for the lead and see anyone who is blocking their goals as a threat. However, as the characters' motivations become clearer, everyone soon comes to the realization that they harshly and unfairly judged them.
Many of thebest TV charactersever started off unpopular yet managed toredeem themselves throughout the series. In some cases,annoying TV charactersmanaged to become fan favorites as viewers got to know and understand their backstories, motivations, and likable characteristics. The long-form nature of television has allowed for more nuanced portrayals ofcomplex characters whose likable nature and positive traits only reveal themselves over the course of several episodes or even seasons.
10Cordelia Chase
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 - 2003)
Cordelia Chase was introduced inBuffy the Vampire Slayeras one of Sunnydale High’s most popular students, although she initially came across as a typical mean girl who undermined Buffy and saw her as a threat. WhileCordelia slowly ingratiated herself into the Scooby Gangand became a close friend to the group and eventual love interest for Xander, it took some time for her positive attributes to truly shine through. However, it eventually became clear that Cordelia was an assertive and brave woman, and audiences realized she was great all along.
Cordelia’s role in the Buffyverse extended into the spin-off seriesAngel,where she joined the vampire with a soul’s detective agency, fought supernatural forces, and helped save the damned. Cordelia’s character arc was one of growth as her more negative characteristics were gradually replaced with a kinder, more selfless personality. While Cordelia was initially envisioned as a foil to Buffy’s heroism, she grew into a three-dimensional and redeeming character along the way.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Cast
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
9Janice 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 viewers later began to appreciate. While Janice appeared like a self-serving and vain character who infiltrated Tony’s life after returning from her bohemian existence in Seattle, she soon established herself as one of the essential characters inThe Sopranos. Janice is a link to Tony’s childhood, and as viewers have already been exposed to the influence of their overbearing mother, it makes sense that she would not be without character flaws.
However, Aida Turturro gave an amazing performance as Janice inThe Sopranos, and throughout the show, her eccentricities, outbursts, and clashes with Tony made for compelling viewing.Janice added a dark sense of humor toThe Sopranos, and although she may not be the first person viewers want to hang out with in real life, she was endlessly entertaining. As a character who amplifiedThe Sopranos' themes of family dysfunction and generational trauma, in retrospect, it’s clear Janice was a great character all along.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos follows New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano as he navigates the challenges of managing his family and criminal enterprise. He seeks guidance from psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi while dealing with complex dynamics involving his wife Carmela, cousin Christopher Moltisanti, and other Mafia associates. Released in 1999, this series delves into organized crime and personal struggles.
8Steve Harrington
Stranger Things (2016 - Present)
Theredemption of Steve Harrington inStranger Thingswas truly a wonder to behold as he grew from a typical 1980s teen movie bully into one of the show’s most beloved characters. Steve was introduced as an unlikable jock, yet there was something innately engaging about Joe Keery’s performance that his character shifted into a much more courageous and warm person. WhileSteve’s role as Nancy Wheeler’s mean-spirited boyfriendwas short-lived, it was watching how he looked out for the welfare of the rest of the young cast in later seasons that made him so popular.
A redemption arc such as Steve’s is a great way to highlight a misunderstood character’s positive attributes and can help audiences see things in them they did not notice upon first viewing. Seeing how Steve became much more friendly with Jonathan and almost like a father figure to Dustin in later seasons ofStranger Thingswas one of the most wholesome and enjoyable aspects of the entire show.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
7Ash Ketchum
Pokémon (1997 - Present)
It’s easy to see why viewers might not have connected with Ash Ketchum at the beginning of Pokémon, as it even took Pikachu himself a while to warm up to his lifelong companion. Ash was introduced as a Pokémon-loving 10-year-old kid, but despite his fascination with these pocket creatures, he couldn’t even wake up on time to get his very first Pokémon from Professor Oak. With a chaotic and ill-prepared quality, it’s easy to see why viewers were frustrated by Ash in the earliest episodes ofPokémon.
However,Ash never lost sight of his quest to become a Pokémon Master, and his unstoppable commitment and determination eventually transformed him into a noble hero. Ash’s story was a coming-of-age one, and he always used his skills to help those he met in need along the way. Watching as Ash formed intense friendships with Brock, Misty, and all the others he encountered along the way showcased his caring and positive attributes in a way that made viewers realize he was great all along.
Pokémon
Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
6Janice Hosenstein
Friends (1994 - 2004)
While the utterance of Janice Hosenstein’s catchphrase “OH! MY! GOD!” is enough to send shivers down the spine of any sitcom viewer, it has to be admitted that she was one of the most memorable supporting characters onFriends. As the annoying and overbearing long-time on-again-off-again girlfriend of Chandler Bing, Janice was a recurring face throughoutFriends. WhileJanice’s personality was a lot to take, and she may have been unpopular at first, it always felt exciting when she would reappear in Chandler’s life.
Although Chandler seemed to have difficulty accepting how much Janice meant to him, she was the most significant relationship he ever had before finally getting together with Monica. Maggie Wheeler gave a great performance as Janice and helped ensure that she did not feel like a one-note character and gave her a level of depth that made her far more than simply an annoying girlfriend. As one of the few characters outside of the main cast to appear in every season ofFriends, audiences grew to love Janice over the years.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
5Pete Campbell
The entitled account executive at Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency, Pete Campbell, was totally unlikable in the earliest seasons ofMad Men. Yet, there was also something remarkably endearing and real about him that meant audiences gradually warmed up to this character and eventually actually started rooting for him. While the earliest episodes ofMad Mentruly cast 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 emulate the people around him to find success and appreciation was an innately human quality, and even though he had some ruthless characteristics, his arc was still incredibly compelling.Mad Menhighlighted the social and political problems of the 1960s, and although Pete benefited from the preferential treatment his privileged background granted him, viewers still saw plenty of difficult moments that made audiences sympathize with him. Although his story was never clear-cut, and it was hard to pigeonhole him as either good or bad, there was no denying that Pete was a consistently great character.
Mad Men
Mad Men is a drama series set in 1960s New York, focusing on the lives of competitive men and women working in Madison Avenue’s advertising industry. The show explores the social mores and cultural dynamics of the era while delving into the personal and professional challenges faced by its characters.
4Michael Scott
The Office (2005 - 2013)
The American version ofThe Officewas perhaps the greatest example of a British sitcom being successfully adapted for a U.S. audience. As a firm favorite of countless viewers who continually rewatchThe Officeas their comfort show, it’s also clear that there were some growing pains when it came to the character of the Dunder Mifflin boss, Michael Scott. WhileSteve Carell was a great choice for a sitcom lead, the early characterization of Michael was as a highly unlikable and, at times, malicious character.
Michael’s early depiction in the first season ofThe Officewas attempting to replicate the insecure appeal of Ricky Gervais as David Brent in the UK version ofThe Office. However, this did not lean into the likable charisma of Carell, and it was only when they revamped his character as a much more wholesome and kindhearted boss that the true power of his performance shone through. Michael worked much better as a bumbling but well-meaning manager, and the character only truly came into his own when the writers stopped trying to make him like David Brent.
The Office
This mockumentary comedy series observes the mundane and humorous daily lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It offers insights into office dynamics, personalities, and the eccentric behavior of both management and staff, depicting an ordinary workplace with extraordinary characters.
3Howard Hamlin
Better Call Saul (2015 - 2022)
When watching theBreaking Badspin-off seriesBetter Call Saul, it’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, a managing partner of Hamlin Hamlin & McGill, whom Jimmy despises. Howard was depicted as cocky, arrogant, and self-centered inBetter Call Saul, but by the time the show came to an end, audiences had started to realize that he was misunderstood initially and was actually a much better person than they had given him credit for.
Howard appears to be an unquestioning lackey for Jimmy’s cruel brother Chuck, but later, it becomes clear that he often stands up for Jimmy and tries to offer Kim mentorship. Those who have watchedBetter Call Saulwill know thatHoward’s story ended in tragedyand that his legacy was dragged through the mud as an extreme consequence of his mostly benign behavior. WatchingBetter Call Saulfor the first time, it’s normal to focus on how Jimmy became Saul, but rewatching the series, it’s clear that Howard was a majorly misunderstood character who was great all along.
Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul follows small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the legal world to make ends meet. The series, set six years before his encounter with Walter White, chronicles Jimmy’s evolution into Saul Goodman, with notable interactions alongside fixer Mike Ehrmantraut.
2Larry David
Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999 - 2024)
If viewers are only exposed to a few minutes ofCurb Your Enthusiasm, it would be natural to view Larry David as an unlikable, unreasonable, and flawed character. As a protagonist forever arguing with everyone he encountered, 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 stuck withCurb Your Enthusiasmand truly got to know Larry will recognize that he’s 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 behaviorwherever he saw it madeCurb Your Enthusiasmessential viewing as it deconstructed and criticized the conventions of modern living. From the frustrating nature of watching someone shamelessly skip the queue with a “chat and cut” to the awkward obligation of a “stop and chat,” Larry doesn’t allow unspoken social rules of polite society to ruin his day. Larry was the man that everyone wished they were brave enough to be, and for this reason, he was always a great character.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is a Comedy television show created by Larry David, the same creative mind behind the wildly popular sitcom, Seinfeld. Starring Larry David himself, along with Cheryl Hines, and Jeff Garlin, the show acts as a semi-fictionalized look at Larry’s every day life and the people he would come in contact with.
1Skyler White
It’s hard to think of a TV character who was more unfairly criticized by viewers than Skyler White fromBreaking Bad. As the long-suffering wife of an egotistical, meth-producing sociopath, the audience’s sympathy for Walter was so great that they failed to notice that every issue and qualm Skyler had with her husband was perfectly reasonable. As a pregnant mother to a disabled son,all Skyler ever asked of Walt was for him to tell her the truth, yet he continually gaslit her and put their family’s lives in extreme danger in order to continue carrying out his life of crime.
Skyler’s actress Anna Gunn even wrote an op-ed inThe New York Timesabout the tough experience of dealing with toxic fans of the show who actively hated her character. WhileBreaking Baddid a great job of setting Walt up as a sympathetic character, it’s clear that Skyler did not deserve any of this hate and was great all along. It’s a testament to Gunn’s acting talent that she was able to get such a vitriolic response from viewers, and she deserves an apology from those who gave her grief at the time.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
