In the golden age of television, the traditional “hero” has been replaced by the “anti-hero“—and sometimes, just the flat-out villain. We often tune in every week to root for the protagonist, only to realize that if we met them in real life, we’d run the other way. Here are five series where the main character is undeniably the worst person in the show.
1. Breaking Bad (Walter White)
Walter White’s descent from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to the ruthless drug kingpin “Heisenberg” is a masterclass in moral decay. While the show introduces terrifying cartel leaders, it is Walt’s manipulation of his family, his gaslighting of Jesse Pinkman, and his pure ego that make him the true villain. By the end, even his “doing it for the family” excuse falls flat.
2. Succession (The Roy Siblings)
It is hard to pick just one, but the Roy family—Kendall, Shiv, and Roman—are a collective study in privilege and cruelty. While their father Logan is the source of their trauma, the siblings’ willingness to crush anyone, including each other, for a seat at the corporate table makes them incredibly unlikeable yet impossible to stop watching.
3. Veep (Selina Meyer)
Selina Meyer might be a comedic icon, but she is also a narcissistic, power-hungry politician who views people as mere stepping stones. Her utter contempt for her staff, her daughter, and the American public is played for laughs, but it paints a picture of a woman with zero moral compass.
4. You (Joe Goldberg)
Joe Goldberg presents himself as a romantic lead, but the audience knows the truth: he is a predatory serial killer. His internal monologue attempts to justify his stalking and violence as “love,” but his actions prove he is the most dangerous person in every room he enters.
5. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (The Gang)
Dennis, Dee, Mac, Charlie, and Frank are arguably the most depraved group in sitcom history. Dennis Reynolds, in particular, often displays sociopathic tendencies that make him stand out as the “worst” of a very bad bunch. They have no redeeming qualities, and that is exactly why we love to watch their inevitable failures.