Game of Thrones: 30 Most Hated Characters, Ranked

In the series, there are numerous likable, admirable, and compassionate characters who stand out. Despite Westeros being a harsh and unforgiving land, certain individuals capture our hearts with their sincerity and generosity. Yet, not every character instantly gains widespread favor among viewers.

To put it in my own words as a cinema enthusiast, I must confess that many characters across these two shows leave me feeling less than enchanted. Some of these characters, like Ramsay Bolton and Joffrey Baratheon, are so detestable they make one cringe. Yet, it’s possible the writers have deliberately crafted their unlikability as part of their character development.

On the other hand, there are some characters that just don’t seem to resonate with viewers. Whether it’s due to questionable traits, reprehensible actions, or weak storylines, certain characters leave fans feeling cold.

Played by Ed Sheeran

The TV series Game of Thrones frequently features guest characters and surprise appearances. From well-known actors like Ian McShane to professional baseball pitcher Noah Syndergaard, there are numerous delightful Easter egg casting choices for attentive viewers. Notably, singer Ed Sheeran made an appearance as Eddie, a Lannister soldier.

The fans didn’t dislike Eddie primarily due to his actions in the series, but rather because his appearance was overly prominent and felt like an unnecessary stunt. During the Season 7 premiere, Eddie is seen singing near a campfire with other soldiers while Arya Stark approaches. This cameo of Sheeran, which some viewers found irritating, may have been an attempt to surprise Maisie Williams, who plays Arya and is a big fan of Sheeran’s music, rather than a deliberate move by the show to lose its direction.

Played by Tobias Menzies

Edmure Tully isn’t excessively foolish as portrayed in “Game of Thrones.” On the contrary, in the books, he exhibits significant leadership qualities despite his arrogance. As a nobleman, he deeply cares for his people and learns from his mistakes to stand firm against enemy forces at Riverrun. However, in the series, Edmure is unnecessarily depicted as a jesting figure – an unpleasant portrayal, predominantly.

In a different phrasing, it can be said that the series Game of Thrones emphasizes Edmure’s arrogance and foolishness, overshadowing his admirable traits significantly. Fans are forced to observe him repeatedly falter, maintaining an arrogant demeanor even in defeat. His audacity to propose himself for the position of the next ruler of the Seven Kingdoms in the final Season 8 is telling. Edmure essentially becomes a running joke, and his scenes are often hard to endure. Despite being disliked, he isn’t necessarily a wicked character, instead occupying the lower ranks on the popularity scale.

Played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jamie Lannister is anything but holy. Right from the beginning of the series, he shoves Bran Stark out a window after discovering Jamie in an intimate moment with his sister, Cersei. Jamie was known for his self-assured and haughty demeanor. With his Prince Charming-like appearance from the Shrek universe, viewers quickly placed him at the top of their list of individuals they eagerly anticipated receiving their comeuppance.

In an unexpected turn of events, the character Jamie embarked on a path towards redemption, significantly influenced by the charming Brienne of Tarth. The audience found themselves eagerly awaiting not just their romantic connection but also for Jamie to be the one to kill Cersei in a symbolic conclusion. As the eighth season unfolded, it seemed this plot would materialize. However, before the Battle against the White Walkers, Jamie and Brienne shared their long-awaited night together. Unfortunately, Jamie’s story took a tragic turn when he abandoned Brienne and the others preparing for battle to rejoin Cersei. In the end, they spent their last moments in each other’s arms.

Played by Anton Lesser

Given Cersei Lannister’s high-ranking position as one of the most despised characters on “Game of Thrones,” it makes sense that her closest associates are met with disdain too. One of her most dedicated allies is Qyburn, who has gained a reputation for his questionable and peculiar medical practices. Essentially, in the realm of Westeros, he functions as a mad scientist.

Through this unique set of abilities, he climbed the ladder of power, starting from a near-death prisoner, then becoming a maester, the Master of Whisperers, and ultimately serving as Cersei’s Hand of the Queen. One particularly gruesome act by Qyburn was the resurrection, or perhaps even the creation of a zombie, of Gregor Clegane following his poisoning during combat with Oberyn Martell. In one of the most gratifying scenes from the series’ final episodes, Qyburn met his demise at the beginning of the much-awaited “Clegane Bowl”.

Played by Alfie Allen

As a seasoned movie critic, I’d rephrase that passage like this: In the gripping world of Game of Thrones, Theon Greyjoy stands out as a character whose misfortunes are largely self-inflicted due to his youthful ambition and disrespect in earlier episodes. Born the youngest son of Balon Greyjoy on the Iron Islands, he was initially held captive at Winterfell but was later accepted as a noble ward, thanks to the Starks’ generous nature. Raised under the tutelage of Ned Stark like a blood relative, Theon unfortunately chose to turn against his ‘brothers’, usurping Winterfell and brutally slaying two innocent children, who were mistakenly believed to be Bran and Rickon Stark.

In the world of “Game of Thrones,” this act of treachery by Theon ranks among the most devastating, carrying heavy repercussions that he ultimately pays dearly for. Following the seizure of Winterfell by House Bolton, Theon endures excruciating torture and public humiliation, leaving him emotionally shattered. His guilt becomes unmanageable, eliciting sympathy even though his past actions were despicable. Eventually, Theon makes amends through a valiant act of self-sacrifice, but his heroic demise fails to expunge the memory of his heinous betrayals.

Played by Sibel Kekilli

As I first encountered Tyrion Lannister, he seemed to be relishing the comforts of Winterfell. It didn’t take long into the tale before Tyrion found what he believed to be a genuine affection for the courtesan, Shae. Throughout the subsequent seasons, it seemed that their feelings for each other were reciprocal and they seemed destined to unite in matrimony, despite Tyrion being a prominent member of one of Westeros’ most influential Houses.

Unfortunately, the rest of his family disapproved of the plan and instead married him to Sansa Stark, a lady whom his former servant, Shae, attended. Following King Joffrey’s death in Season 4, Tyrion was accused and eventually framed by his sister for the murder. During the trial, Shae testified against Tyrion, claiming he had kidnapped her and forced her into prostitution after learning about the plan to kill Joffrey. In the finale of Season 4, while trying to escape prison, Tyrion found his father in bed with Shae, further betraying him. Heartbroken, he fled to Essos.

Played by Brenock O’Connor

Among the most detestable characters from “Game of Thrones” is Olly, who endures immense suffering at the hands of the Free Folk. In Season 3, these wildlings raid his village, brutally murdering his parents in front of him and subjecting Olly to physical torment by threatening to eat his deceased parents. Overwhelmed with a desire for vengeance, he finds refuge at Castle Black and joins the Night’s Watch. This thirst for revenge transforms Olly into a bitter and remorseless child. Following the devastation of his village, Olly starts to view the world as divided between good and evil, seeing the conflict between the Night’s Watch and the Free Folk as his personal vendetta.

Olly’s actions cause him to turn against Jon Snow, who had taken the boy under his wing and made him his steward – despite the fact that the boy was responsible for killing Jon’s lover, Ygritte. Jon saw potential in Olly and offered guidance, but the boy chose petty revenge instead. In Season 5, Olly participates in the mutiny against Jon and deals the final mortal blow to him, earning the scorn of every “Game of Thrones” fan.

Played by James Faulkner

Randyll Tarly, who is Samwell Tarly’s father, has a stark contrast in their personalities. While Randyll is a cunning, selfish lord who typically avoids the politics of the Seven Kingdoms unless it significantly benefits him, Samwell is quite the opposite, being endearing rather than ruthless. As for Randyll, he excels as a military commander and general due to his brutal tactics and sinister demeanor on the battlefield.

Randyll Tarly isn’t prominent until Season 6, but it’s understood that he sent his eldest son Sam to the Night’s Watch due to Sam’s passion for books and science, which Randyll sees as “weak” pursuits. Despite his disdain for vulnerability, Randyll relies too heavily on his skewed perspective, overlooking Sam’s bravery despite knowing about it. To make matters worse, Randyll aligns with the Lannisters in Season 7 and assaults Highgarden, betraying the Tyrell family. In the end, Randyll is killed by Daenerys and her dragon Drogon, still professing values like integrity and honor, although his actions reveal otherwise.

Played by Julian Glover

In the world of “Game of Thrones,” it’s plausible that Maester Pycelle, appearing as a simple and mild old man, could be subtly manipulative – perhaps even the series’ most cunning hidden villain. His longevity, surviving six different kings, suggests his actions might not always align with the greater good of Westeros. He maintains an image of peacefulness while orchestrating nefarious plots from behind the scenes.

Grand Maester Pycelle skillfully deceived many court members with his weak exterior disguise. However, he struggles to conceal his immoral tendencies, particularly when topics regarding women arise. In the books, there’s a suggestion that Pycelle inappropriately touched Sansa Stark soon after Ned’s execution, revealing his true character. Despite being a hypocrite, much of his questionable behavior isn’t depicted on-screen in “Game of Thrones,” landing him at number 20 on the list.

Played by Isaac Hempstead Wright

Bran Stark plays a significant role in “Game of Thrones” from the very first episode, and at first, he’s just as charming as his siblings. However, his character experiences drastic transformations past the Wall, which some viewers find less appealing starting from the later seasons, especially the last two.

Following his transformation into the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran seems to have developed a monotonous and emotionally detached demeanor, losing much of the allure he was known for earlier. This change, along with minimal engagement in the storyline, has left some viewers feeling frustrated. His leadership qualities, as portrayed, appear insufficient for a powerful ruler.

2025-05-01 05:55