Game of Thrones: 25 Most Hated Characters of All Time, Ranked

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George R.R. Martin’s epic book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, became the hugely popular and often shocking TV show Game of Thrones. The series premiered in 2011, the same year Martin released the fifth book of a planned seven-book set, and quickly became a global phenomenon. From the start, viewers were captivated by the intense relationships – both loving and hostile – between the characters. Whether it was the cold reception the Stark family received from the ruthless Queen Cersei Lannister, or the abusive behavior of Viserys Targaryen towards his sister, strong feelings about the characters developed rapidly.

To make an audience really despise a character, certain elements need to be in place. How much we hate them depends on how smart and clever they are, who they hurt, how long the mistreatment lasts, how they’re cruel, and if they have any good qualities at all. Looking at the many characters in Game of Thrones, here’s a list of the 25 most hated characters ever.

Doreah

Played by Roxanne McKee


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Doreah began as a handmaiden to Daenerys, initially teaching her how to be intimate with her husband, Khal Drogo. She cared for Daenerys’s every need, and after the dragons were born, she remained close to them. While many were captivated by the dragons, Doreah’s devotion to Daenerys shifted when she discovered someone plotting to control the dragons’ power.

After her dragons were stolen in Qarth, Daenerys also discovered that Doreah had disappeared. Once Daenerys retrieved her dragons and killed one of the thieves, she found Doreah with the other thief. Daenerys, showing no pity, sealed them both inside a vault to die. Though it was difficult to dislike Doreah, her betrayal of Daenerys was unforgivable.

Styr

Played by Yuri Kolokolnikov


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As soon as I saw Styr, the leader of the Thenns, with his scarred face, I just knew he was a bad guy. He’s seriously creepy! I remember a scene where he tells Ygritte and Tormund that people from the South supposedly “taste better” – he figures it’s because they’re fatter from having more food. It’s a chilling detail that really shows how ruthless he is.

Styr led a violent raid on a village, killing everyone except a young boy. He coldly told the child to run and warn the Night’s Watch about the approaching threat, and then cruelly informed him that his parents would be eaten. When Styr himself is killed in battle, there’s no sense of loss or regret. While cannibalism can be a sensationalized topic in TV and film, the depiction in Game of Thrones is deeply disturbing and realistic.

Lysa Arryn


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From the moment you meet Lysa, it’s clear she’s odd and struggling with deep issues. She continues to nurse her older child, unfairly punishes Tyrion, and frequently yells in a harsh, piercing voice. While these behaviors aren’t enough to make you truly hate her, the audience discovers just how awful she is when she welcomes Petyr Baelish and her niece, Sansa, into her home. Lysa quickly becomes infatuated with Baelish, and Sansa secretly overhears a conversation revealing that Lysa actually poisoned her husband on Littlefinger’s orders.

Lysa and Petyr married quickly, but Lysa remained jealous of Petyr’s feelings for her sister and began to treat Sansa with suspicion. She interrogated Sansa about her interactions with Petyr and even threatened to kill her by throwing her from the tower. Ironically, Lysa would later meet her own end when she was thrown through the same tower door.

Pyatt Pree

Played by Ian Hanmore


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Daenerys feels uneasy around the strange warlock. He displays his magic, but she doesn’t trust him, and for good reason. Pyatt Pree was once part of a powerful group called the Thirteen, but he and another member, Xaro, murdered everyone else in it. He solidifies her distrust by revealing he’s taken her dragons to the dangerous House of the Undying.

When Daenerys attempts to reclaim her dragons, Pyat Pree imprisons her, hoping to keep both her and the dragons captive indefinitely. However, his greedy plan is quickly foiled when the young dragons breathe fire on him, ending his scheme abruptly.

Gregor Clegane

Played by Conan Stevens (Season 1), Ian Whyte (Season 2), and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Season 4–8)


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Known as “The Mountain,” this former knight is now a terrifying figure who commands respect through fear alone. Towering over most people, his actions while serving House Lannister are shockingly brutal. He’s infamous for acts like killing a horse in public and crushing men’s skulls with his bare hands, making him a fearsome opponent that no one wants to confront.

People dislike this character because he unquestioningly follows the cruel Lannister family. But understanding his capacity for ruthless violence – as seen in his treatment of his own brother – makes it hard to separate fear from hatred. Throughout the show, Gregor Clegane was portrayed by three different actors due to scheduling issues.

High Sparrow

Played by Jonathan Pryce


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Honestly, this religious leader is terrifying. He makes even the worst cults seem friendly! Once he gained power, he immediately started focusing on the perceived sins of the nobles. He brought back this incredibly harsh group called the Faith Militant, and they went around hunting people who supposedly needed to pay for what they’d done. It was awful – they arrested important figures like Ser Loras and Margaery Tyrell, and even Cersei and Lancel Lannister. They were all thrown into solitary confinement and subjected to different kinds of torture until they confessed to crimes, whether they’d committed them or not. It was a really dark time.

The High Sparrow quickly became disliked by viewers due to his self-righteous and judgmental behavior. He abused his authority to punish people he believed were harming the kingdom, and most fans felt no sympathy when he died.

Theon Greyjoy

Played by Alfie Allen


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Theon grew up at Winterfell as a hostage, but he was treated like one of the Stark children. After fighting alongside Robb, he returned to his father, hoping to prove himself. Unfortunately, he did this by betraying Robb and seizing control of Winterfell – the place where he’d been raised.

When Theon Greyjoy realized his loyalty to the Starks and his father’s expectations were clashing, he tried to emulate his father’s harshness by killing the man who had taught him to fight at Winterfell. After Bran and Rickon Stark escaped, Theon searched for them. Unable to find the Stark boys, he kidnapped two farm boys, killed them, and displayed their bodies as if they were Bran and Rickon.

Melisandre

Played by Carice van Houten


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Melisandre is the embodiment of unwavering faith. She became convinced that Stannis Baratheon was destined to be king and guided him based on her religious beliefs. While she may have had good intentions, many viewers dislike her willingness to use dark magic, commit violence, and openly disregard social norms.

A particularly shocking moment occurs when she burns Stannis’s innocent daughter, believing it will improve the army’s chances. However, the girl’s death ultimately has no positive effect on their efforts.

Stannis Baratheon

Played by Stephen Dillane


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Stannis is driven by a ruthless desire for power, causing him to abandon his principles and disregard the feelings of those close to him. He secretly allows Melisandre to perform a dark ritual that results in the death of his brother, Renly, who was also vying for the throne. While Stannis initially seems emotionless about this act, he shows a moment of vulnerability afterward.

As the war continues, Stannis suffers a series of defeats. Driven to desperation, he makes the heartbreaking decision to sacrifice his daughter, hoping to gain the favor of the Lord of Light and achieve victory. Ultimately, with his family gone and his ambition unfulfilled, Stannis perishes in his quest for the Iron Throne.

Mirri Maz Duur

Played by Birgitte Hjort Sørensen


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Mirri Maz, a witch from Game of Thrones, easily earns a spot on this list. While her actions against Daenerys might have been understandable given the harm Daenerys’s husband and his people inflicted upon her, her betrayal is why viewers weren’t upset when she disappeared.

Look, I get wanting revenge on the Khal for destroying her village, but killing Daenerys’s unborn baby? That was a step too far, and honestly, it made Mirri instantly one of the most hated characters for me. Daenerys, who had previously trusted and helped Mirri, couldn’t let that stand, and the punishment was brutal – she had the witch burned alive. It was a shocking moment, and it really solidified Mirri as a villain in my eyes.

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2026-02-28 21:36