8 Actors Who Played Villains Too Well That They Were Hated IRL

What could possibly go wrong if you played a hideous, evil, treacherous character known to mankind? Well, as long as the haters don’t know your real home address or can’t send you direct messages, you should be fine. However, be assured that you will receive hundreds of online comments and posts wishing for you and your character to burn in hell. It’s just stupid people doing their stupid thing, don’t worry about it.

Still, it’s fascinating to talk about actors who became victims of their own talent. They were simply doing their job, playing their part, and in return, received so much public hatred that even Voldemort himself couldn’t handle it.

1. Lena Headey as Cersei in Game of Thrones 

Cersei Lannister was hated loudly and aggressively both on the Internet and out there in the real world. At first, the actress Lena Headey was cool with all the negativity, but soon, she realized things were getting too hot for her. She received like a kajillion hate comments and even threats in the mail! What’s up with that? Are people so clueless that they can’t separate the fictional character from the real person? At events, people shouted at Lena and occasionally booed her from the stage. This was all in exchange for a masterful depiction of one of the most vile characters in literature. The irony is that in real life, she is quiet, shy, and does not like photos. But her cold and heartless appearance as Cersei became a symbol of absolute evil.

2. Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

Imelda Staunton delivered such a stunningly believable performance as Dolores Umbridge that the viewers thought Umbridge was Imelda. Her portrayal was so deeply rooted in the essence of bureaucratic malevolence that it left a lasting impact on even the youngest of viewers. People started to steer clear of her in the real world. Some fans even sent her letters filled with hatred and unspeakable wishes, often referencing her character’s infamous fondness for cats.

3. Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones 

The actor who played the deranged freak Ramsay Bolton once confessed that, following certain episodes, people would approach him and question his mental stability. It’s a miracle that the actor hasn’t snapped at anyone for saying those things. Although in life he’s a talented musician and very polite, on-screen, he became the personification of torture, sadism, and absolute moral bottom. His performance was so powerful that Game of Thrones fans sometimes skipped the scenes featuring Ramsey. That is indeed a great achievement!

4. John Kramer as Jigsaw in the Saw

Tobin Bell played the iconic psycho killer John Kramer, or Jigsaw. His portrayal of the sick and twisted man with too much time on his hands was marked by a calm demeanor that was the direct opposite of the horrific traps he created to test his victims’ will to survive. Both Bell’s justification for Jigsaw’s brutal actions and the hellishly creative death traps made him an unforgettable villain. However, as it often happens, too much of a good thing (or bad, in this case) doesn’t always end well. Eventually, the fans started to confuse Bell with his character, so he had to clarify that he did not endorse Jigsaw’s behavior. Can you imagine the amount of hate this man was receiving on a daily basis for him to come out and say that?

5. David Tennant as Kilgrave in Jessica Jones

In one of the best Netflix/Marvel TV shows, Jessica Jones, David Tennant portrayed Kilgrave, a manipulative psychopath with the superpower to control others using a sort of virus that he can produce. Tennant’s portrayal was so emotional, raw, and intense that it led many viewers to experience genuine discomfort while watching. Even though David was a beloved actor who previously portrayed the iconic Tenth Doctor in Dr. Who, some clueless fans decided to send him hate comments, while others said it was challenging to watch him in other roles without hearing him yell “JESSICA!” in their heads.

6. Jared Leto as The Joker in Suicide Squad

Jared Leto aimed to bring a fresh new take on the classic character with his Joker role in Suicide Squad; however, audiences largely responded negatively. Let’s be clear: his portrayal of the Joker elicited intense hatred from the public. His depiction, which featured a gangster aesthetic, resulted in moments that some viewers found too cringey to even care about. On the other hand, the Joker “purists” took it one step further and heckled the actor online, which only made others like it more. It’s a really weird world we’re living in, that’s for sure.

7. Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones

He dealt with constant hate from the public, facing everything from insults and being spat on to people wishing him a slow and painful death. Fans blamed him for how Sansa was treated, which only made the situation worse. Even though Jack was actually a kind and thoughtful person with a deep philosophical side, he found it really hard to separate himself from the character he played. His portrayal of Joffrey Baratheon was so convincing that audiences couldn’t help but confuse him with the monster on screen. Because of this, he made the tough choice to step away from acting, deciding to live a low-key life instead of dealing with all that negativity.

8. Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne in Gone Girl

When Rosamund Pike stepped into the chilling, calculating shoes of Amy Dunne in Gone Girl, she didn’t just play a character—she became a psychological hurricane. Audiences weren’t just impressed—they were disturbed. Pike delivered such a masterclass in manipulation, cold-blooded calculation, and icy charm that people genuinely hated her… or rather, couldn’t separate her from Amy. And honestly, can you blame them?

Amy was the kind of villain who didn’t need weapons or explosions—just a sharp mind, a terrifying calm, and an eerie ability to twist every situation to her favor. She faked her own murder, framed her husband, and even used pregnancy as a final, brutal form of control. Pike’s performance was so convincing that some viewers walked away terrified of the idea of ever being in a relationship again. Social media lit up with comments like, “I can never look at her the same,” or “Amy Dunne is my nightmare in human form.”

What’s wild is how Pike, who had mostly played elegant, understated roles before this, vanished completely into the role. She didn’t just act—she embodied the villainy. It’s the kind of performance that makes people forget it’s fiction.