Any passionate TV enthusiast knows the agony: you’re completely invested in a show—the writing is on point, the cast is in sync—and suddenly one character comes along and disrupts the entire equilibrium. Either from bad writing, miscasting, or plotlines that seem downright ill-fitting, these characters became notorious for ruining otherwise well-loved shows. Here’s a countdown of 10 TV stars who came perilously close to destroying the shows they belonged to.
10. Scrappy-Doo – Scooby-Doo
There are not many characters who are as universally reviled as Scrappy-Doo. Added in the late ’70s to revamp the franchise, Scrappy immediately changed the tone of Scooby-Doo, defocusing the original gang and annoying long-time fans. What was intended to increase popularity turned into a case study on how not to revive a classic. Years later, Scrappy is still a warning in cartoon character design.
9. Kim Bauer – 24
Jack Bauer had his hands full—nuclear blackmail, assassinations, betrayals—but the true bane of his existence could have been his daughter, Kim. Meant to add emotional resonance to the show, Kim’s frequent bad luck and far-fetched misadventures seemed to belong to a different series and too often detracted from the show’s urgency to engage in high-stakes action. Her plots became an inside joke, watering down the intensity 24 was famous for.
8. Lana Lang – Smallville
Early seasons of Smallville promised a romance between Clark Kent and Lana Lang. But what started as a wholesome teen romance grew monotonous and emotionally draining. The on-again, off-again relationship between Lana and Clark became tiresome, at the expense of better characters and storylines. Fans were more relieved than saddened when their relationship finally ended.
7. Will Schuester – Glee
Mr. Schuester was meant to be the essence of Glee—the well-intentioned teacher teaching his charges to be great. Instead, he was one of the show’s most panned characters. Whether it was his cringeworthy relationships, questionable student boundaries, or increasingly off-putting storylines, Will’s trajectory went from sincere to queasy. What was meant to be the show’s moral guide turned out to be a steady source of unease.
6. Ted Mosby – How I Met Your Mother
Ted Mosby was the narrator and emotional center of How I Met Your Mother, but as time went on, audiences tired of his narcissistic behavior and romantic failures. His idealism seemed too narcissistic to be truly noble, and the series finale only served to up the derision. By the final episode, most viewers were sorry the show hadn’t been narrated by someone else—anyone, for that matter.
5. Piper Chapman – Orange Is the New Black
In a series with so many layered, intricate characters, Piper Chapman sometimes seemed out of place. As the initial point of entry into Litchfield for the audience, Piper was rapidly diminished as the least compelling element of the show. Her blandness and narcissism were always at odds with the more vivid characters around her, and numerous fans wished she would just be a background figure.
4. Felicity Smoak – Arrow
Felicity began as a sweetheart tech whiz, charming audiences with her intelligence and wit. But when she was upgraded to the main lady and love interest to Oliver Queen, the game changed. Their will-they-won’t-they dance consumed the show, sometimes at the expense of better storytelling. Her character polarized, not just within Arrow, but in the entire Arrowverse.
3. Connor – Angel
When Connor was introduced by Angel, the series abruptly veered off course—and not in a good way. The brooding, punk-rock-hair-sporting son of Angel came with an attitude and a talent for hijacking storylines. His unjustified anger at his dad and an awkward and unconvincing romance storyline with Cordelia made Connor a nagging drain on the series’ otherwise strong momentum. Even efforts to reform him can’t make Connor one of the show’s most egregious missteps.
2. Vandal Savage – Legends of Tomorrow
Legends of Tomorrow rides its ensemble cast and genre-defying imagination. But Season 1 baddie Vandal Savage didn’t work despite Casper Crump’s solid performance. Terrible writing and confusing backstory made Savage come across as one-dimensional, and his introduction—along with Hawkman and Hawkgirl—was a burden rather than an asset. When they left, the show hit its stride and became one of the Arrowverse’s most fun shows to watch.
1. Ramsay Bolton – Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones did not lack villains, but Ramsay Bolton went too far. Unlike the well-developed villains like Tywin Lannister or even Cersei, Ramsay was cartoonishly cruel—a torture enthusiast sadist whose streak of wins felt like shock value more than substance. His appearance was a turning point in the show’s narrative, as the show began to depend more on spectacle and violence than on character development. For others, Ramsay represented the place where Game of Thrones lost its soul.
Now and then, a single ill-cast character can derail the rhythm of an otherwise fantastic show. Maybe it’s bad writing, or perhaps it’s misplaced emphasis, or maybe it’s a casting misfire, but these characters are a good reminder of just how finely balanced the storytelling can be when doing ensemble material. Good TV isn’t merely about great leads—it’s about recognizing when a supporting character is dragging the entire story down with them.