The Shocking Truth Behind Breaking Bad's Most Despised Supporting Characters

Summary

Some of Breaking Bad's most despised characters exceeded the villainy of Walter White himself, their malicious actions surpassing his own wicked deeds.

Skyler White, although masterfully written and portrayed, garnered the title of most detested character amongst certain fans due to a complicated backlash and questionable choices.

Todd Alquist, with his abhorrent actions of imprisoning and torturing Jesse and callously murdering innocent people, stands out as a repugnant character. Despite Walter White's own reprehensible deeds throughout the series, it is the characters who are even worse in the eyes of fans that draw the most disdain. Breaking Bad, being hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, boasts an ensemble of characters that rival the greatest crime sagas in history. Many of these characters have attained iconic status, with fans embracing their complex storylines. However, there exists a group of characters within the show that elicit nothing but contempt from its devoted fanbase, creating a compelling collection of the most disliked Breaking Bad characters.

15 Declan

Audiences were not only shocked by Walter White's transformation in Breaking Bad, but also deeply intrigued by the despicable acts he committed. As a result, they found it impossible to truly despise him. However, there were other characters in the show whose villainous actions surpassed even Walter's, earning them the title of the most hated Breaking Bad characters. Additionally, some supporting characters were deemed uninteresting and detracted from the more captivating aspects of the series. Although not all of these characters deserved the extreme disdain they received, the strength of fans' opinions towards them cannot be disregarded.

Declan, an easily forgettable character, fails to gain much appreciation during his short time on the show. As a drug dealer seeking to establish his own operation after Gus Fring's demise, Declan sets up a meeting with Walt, Jesse, and Mike to negotiate the sale of their enterprise. Unfortunately for Declan, his excessive self-assurance portrays him as the dominant figure in town. However, the iconic scene where Walt diminishes Declan's ego and forces him to acknowledge him as Heisenberg remains etched in viewers' minds, exposing Declan as a weak player in the meth business who is swiftly eliminated.

14 Don Eladio

The villains in Breaking Bad excel at instilling fear and hatred in the audience, while still being strangely captivating. Both Gus and Hector serve as prime examples of wicked characters for whom the audience can't help but root for in their quests for revenge. Hector's retaliation against Gus proves satisfying, but Gus's retribution against Don Eladio is even more gratifying. Don Eladio portrays the perfect slimy villain, disguising his true nature behind a friendly smile and the facade of camaraderie. The fact that Eladio maintains this amiable persona before mercilessly executing Gus's partner Max in front of him amplifies the crowd-pleasing impact of his ultimate demise.

13 Walter White Jr.

Walt's home life, by design, was rather mundane, leaving fans unenthused about Walter Jr. for various reasons. Some found him irritating and whiny, possibly highlighting the struggle the writers faced in developing the show's lone teenage character. Others considered him too one-dimensional to captivate (as his primary motivation appeared to be eating breakfast), while a few believed that actor RJ Mitte lacked substantial material compared to the rest of the ensemble. In fact, he gradually faded into the background in later seasons, deprived of the satisfying resolution granted to other pivotal characters.

12 Skyler White

It's difficult to believe that a character as well-written and skillfully portrayed by Anna Gunn could be regarded as the most despised character in Breaking Bad by certain fans. The backlash against Skyler from Breaking Bad fans is complex and partly stems from a toxic sector of the fandom that supports Walt's acts of murder but condemns Skyler as a hypocrite for her involvement in money laundering.

Nevertheless, it should be acknowledged that there were some valid criticisms of the character, ranging from her less captivating storylines in the early seasons to her perplexing choices such as using Walt's drug money to resolve Ted Beneke's tax problems. While she undeniably contributed to the show's excellence, she simply didn't resonate with certain viewers.

11 Gretchen & Elliott Schwartz

Gretchen and Elliott generate significant animosity from the fan base due to their portrayal through Walt's perspective. Throughout the series, Walt openly displays disdain towards their achievements, past interactions, and seemingly self-centered demeanor. Given this limited understanding, it is easy for viewers to develop a dislike for both characters. Although they extend assistance to Walt upon learning about his health issues, as the audience delves deeper into the trio's history, it becomes apparent that their intention was mainly to alleviate their guilt for their past actions against Walt. When they publicly lie about Walt's involvement in their company, very few fans empathize with them when Walt threatens them in the finale.

10 Lydia Rodarte-Quayle

Despite being a latecomer to the series, Lydia made a significant impact on the show. She didn't make her first appearance until season 5, when she and Madrigal became Gustavo Fring's methylamine suppliers. After Gus' empire crumbled due to Walt's actions, Lydia joined forces with him. Lydia has garnered a two-fold dislike from viewers. On one hand, some despise her as a villain because she readily resorts to murder, much like the most ruthless gangsters portrayed in the show, without getting her own hands dirty. On the other hand, others criticize her because of her delayed entrance to the show and the pressure to fill the formidable shoes of the formidable Gus Fring, a feat she certainly did not accomplish.

9 Jack Welker

The issues surrounding Jack closely mirror those of Lydia. However, Jack can be labeled as a more traditional adversary and possesses an increased number of malevolent traits. Being directly responsible for multiple murders, holding Jesse captive at his compound, and serving as the leader of a white supremacist gang are just a few examples. It is undeniable that he lacks redeeming characteristics, which poses a problem. Considering the intricate and rich nature of Breaking Bad's character development, Jack Welker appeared somewhat one-dimensional to certain fans, who did not find him appealing as the primary antagonist. Nevertheless, he fulfills his purpose as someone even more despicable than Walt, whom the audience yearns to witness being defeated in Walt's final triumphant act of retribution.

8 Kenny

Regarded as one of Jack Welker's most trusted associates, Kenny possesses all the unfavorable traits of his leader while exhibiting an even rougher demeanor. He demonstrates utter ruthlessness as a skilled murderer, actively engaging in the most heinous acts depicted in the series, such as subjecting Jesse to imprisonment and contributing to Hank's untimely demise. Kenny's indelible presence strongly resonated with fans, to the extent that he made an appearance in the subsequent film, El Camino, solidifying his sadistic nature akin to the most malicious members within his murderous cohort. Once again, the final season of Breaking Bad presented audiences with an effortlessly detestable antagonist in the form of this merciless neo-Nazi.

7 Ted Beneke

6 Leonel and Marco Salamanca a.k.a. The Cousins

: When Ted vanished from Breaking Bad during season 5, the majority breathed a sigh of relief, believing that his presence had been overwhelming over the course of two seasons. He was despised by fans for two primary reasons: his lack of intelligence and his subplot. Ted's refusal to pay the IRS irked many viewers, as it added contrived tension to the show. Unfortunately, his storyline was closely intertwined with Skyler, making it uninteresting for many. Although the IRS aspect of the plot was riveting (and led to the unforgettable conclusion in "Crawl Space"), the romantic uncertainty between Ted and Skyler felt overly conventional for such an exceptional series.

The Salamanca cousins were a formidable pair, dominating some of the series' most intense moments. However, many fans felt that their characters clashed with the show's nuanced and complex tone. Breaking Bad often delves into intricate storytelling, while the Cousins appear as if they are straight out of a clichéd action film. Their lack of personality and constant lurking and growling fail to provide the captivating entertainment expected from the show. Moreover, their one-dimensional and clichéd nature is contrary to the usual avoidance of such tropes in Breaking Bad.

5 Ken

Some of the most detested characters in Breaking Bad managed to infuriate fans with their brief appearances. Ken, also known as The Bluetooth Guy, stands out as one of the sleaziest individuals in Breaking Bad's fictional universe, which is quite a statement. He first appeared in the episode "Cancer Man" during the show's first season. Ken's despicable nature was so well-executed that he later made a comeback in Better Call Saul, effectively continuing his role as an absolute jerk. Despite not being a central character, he left a lasting impression with his remarkably unappealing persona.

4 Spooge

Similar to Ken, Spooge is an incredibly unlikeable individual that is meant to repulse the audience. He is a low-level criminal who uses a knife to rob the beloved Skinny P, prompting Jesse to locate Spooge, as instructed by Walt, in order to retrieve the stolen money and send a message. Spooge's repugnant appearance and behavior make the audience feel disgusted merely by observing him. In addition to endangering Jesse due to his own greed and misguided criminal activities, the abhorrent conditions in which he forces his young son to live justify the gruesome demise that Spooge ultimately faces.

3 Marie Schrader

2 Mr. & Mrs. Pinkman

Despite her underlying sweetness, Marie often exudes an overpowering presence that mirrors the negative traits of her sister, Skyler White. Her tendency to assert dominance in various situations creates difficulties for other characters, and her subplots pale in comparison to those of other main supporting characters in terms of development and enjoyment. The storyline involving Marie's theft in Breaking Bad is particularly perplexing, giving the impression that the show struggled to effectively utilize her character.

Jesse Pinkman's parents were the type of characters whose actions often earned them widespread disapproval, despite their motives being understandable. Prior to the events depicted in the show, it becomes evident that Jesse had betrayed his parents' trust by engaging in a drug-fueled lifestyle, leading them to question the veracity of any claims he made. However, when the audience witnesses Jesse's struggles and his desperate need for support, only to witness his parents' cold-hearted rejection, they are seen as callous and indifferent. While Jesse may have inflicted pain upon his parents in the past, he has gained the adoration of the audience, who refuse to tolerate mistreatment towards him.

1 Todd Alquist

Throughout its run, Breaking Bad featured numerous antagonists, yet none were as repulsive as Todd. Despite Jesse Plemons' brilliant portrayal, Todd's actions were utterly deplorable and unforgivable. He ruthlessly imprisoned and tortured Jesse, while also mercilessly murdering innocent individuals who had no involvement in the criminal underworld. Unlike the show's other immoral characters, Todd appeared to lack any moral compass, fearlessly crossing boundaries with no regard for consequences.