13 Most Despicable Scumbag Characters In TV History

2. Joffrey Baratheon - Game Of Thrones

Admittedly, Game Of Thrones has a considerable amount of scumbags - for every good hero there seem to be at least three or four more complex, far darker compatriots - but King Joffrey Baratheon trumps them all. He is abusive, a coward, a cry baby and a momma's boy - and he has people killed for the pure enjoyment of it, thanks to the sadism that governs his heart. Joffrey is designed to be provocative, and the performance and the way the character is cut works to that agenda perfectly: he is both unlikable and disarmingly charismatic, in the kind of way that only the most disgustingly despicable characters can be. Most awful of all his actions is probably how he continuously spited Sansa Stark: he beheaded her father in front of her, and forced her to look at her father's lopped off head, which he had put on a stake. After Robb, King of the North, started the war against Joffrey, he had the Kingsguard beat Sansa for every one of Robb's victories as a penalty, and forced her to undress in front of the entire court, though luckily Tyrion was there to stop him. Then, when Joffrey became bored with Sansa and Margaery Tyrell piqued his interest, he discarded Sansa without a second thought. He is an enduring part of the Game Of Thrones appeal, and though it is for the wrong reasons, his character is so successful that it's impossible not to be darkly drawn to him.