Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on ABC in 2005 and is one of the longest-running series, with new episodes being produced. The series revolves around the lives of residents, interns, and their patients at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
The series has developed a loyal following over the years. When a show has been on the air for such a long time, it is not uncommon for cast members to come and go. Similarly, Grey's Anatomy often introduces complex characters to the show, making them vulnerable to situations that regular people like you and me can relate to. That being said, the show includes both beloved characters and some that annoy viewers to the core. In this article, we will look at some of the most hated characters in the show.
Listing 10 most hated characters from the best to the worst in Grey's Anatomy
1. Paul Stadler in Grey's Anatomy
![Matthew Morrison as Paul Stadler (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/154cc-17235637307961.jpg 1920w)
Paul Stadler, played by Matthew Morrison, is Jo Wilson's husband. He is a renowned surgeon and has saved countless lives on Grey's Anatomy. But as pure as he may seem on the outside, he is an abusive husband, physically abusing Jo during their marriage to the point where she broke her ribs and ruptured her kidney.
He may appear charming on the outside, but inside, he is emotionally manipulative. On several occasions, he gaslights his ex-wife Jo and his new fiancé.
2. Owen Hunt
![Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/07d61-17235638028828.jpg 1920w)
Actor Kevin McKidd plays Dr. Owen Hunt, a surgeon with a military background, who was introduced in Grey's Anatomy season 5. One of the main reasons fans dislike the doctor is his strained relationship with Cristina Yang. Owen successfully manipulates her into having children, even though she has clearly stated that she is not ready.
Another event that caused an uproar among the show's fans to have the character out of the show and demand that the character be killed off was during season 19 when he lost his medical license after he was found to have illegally supplied drugs for physician-assisted death.
3. Meredith Grey
![Meredith Grey in Grey's Anatomy (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/63bc6-17235639185589.jpg 1920w)
The main reason fans dislike Meredith is that she does what she wants and never suffers any repercussions. She only thinks about the present and doesn't consider how things might turn out in the long run.
By Season 8 of the show, Meredith had been implicated in numerous scams, and her image of the perfect doctor had been tarnished. But what keeps viewers guessing is how she still manages to keep her medical license.
4. Ava/ Rebecca
![Ava, who later reveals to be Rebecca (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a64bd-17235640814279.jpg 1920w)
Ava/Rebecca is first introduced on Grey's Anatomy as a patient suffering from amnesia after a ferry boat accident. As the show progresses, she reveals herself to Rebecca Pope and reveals her manipulative nature; this side of her is especially seen during her relationship with Alex Karev. She also fakes her pregnancy to keep Alex around, which viewers feel is unhealthy for Alex.
Ava is eventually admitted to the psychiatric ward, but fans still dislike her, mainly because of her negative influence on Alex.
5. Shane Ross
![Shane Ross, the resident doctor (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3ac62-17235641623009.jpg 1920w)
Shane Ross was introduced to Grey's Anatomy in Season 9. Although he is a hardworking resident, his competitive nature often makes him perceived as an aggressive doctor, which overshadows his compassionate nature.
He is often seen as disrespectful of personal boundaries. Throughout the series, the resident has made many fatal mistakes but has suffered no consequences. He is often caught breaking the rules, resulting in the death of Alex Karev's father, but is still allowed to return to the hospital. This gives his character a negative reputation.
6. Leah Murphy
![Leah Murphy (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b6641-17235642406324.jpg 1920w)
Leah Murphy is often disliked for her overly competitive nature, but she never proved to be a competent doctor. On the show, it was revealed that she used her connections to get into the surgical program. A patient almost lost his life because of her mistake.
Leah is often portrayed as an insecure person who quickly becomes infatuated with the other person who shows interest in her. One of the main reasons fans dislike her on the show is that she causes the downfall of Callie and Arizona's relationship by sleeping with Arizona.
7. Robert Stark
![Robert Stark from Grey's Anatomy (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/d2382-17235643653298.jpg 1920w)
Stark appeared on Grey's Anatomy when all the other doctors and interns in the hospital were on good terms with each other. Stark brings out the worst in people because he is in a superior position and doesn't do his job well. Instead of accepting his mistakes, he sets up the interns.
Most viewers like Stark until he shows his creepy side to April.
8. Izzie Stevens
![Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/3c251-17235644650785.jpg 1920w)
Izzie Stevens is played by actress Katherine Heigl on Grey's Anatomy. Fans dislike her because of her self-serving, condescending, and generally toxic behavior pattern and her disregard for doctor-patient etiquette.
Stevens often gets emotionally involved with the patients who arrive at the hospital and takes extreme measures to save their lives. For example, when she cut the LVAD wire to save Denny Duquette's life, but in doing so, she also endangered him by circumventing the basic premise of the doctor, not harming the patient.
9. Dr Penny Blake
![Dr. Penny Blake (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/195ac-17235645561915.jpg 1920w)
One reason fans of Grey's Anatomy hate Dr. Penny Blake is that she was the intern/resident on duty when Derek, one of the show's favorite characters, had his accident. Fans believe that if the doctor had pushed harder for the CT scans, she might have been able to save his life.
Medical mistakes are not uncommon in the world of medicine. But when she starts dating Derek's girlfriend, Callie, it's not an exciting scene for the fans to watch and digest. Meredith also believes that she is the reason for her husband's death and associates herself with it.
10. Miranda Bailey
![Miranda Bailey (Image via ABC)](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/2594b-17235646164493.jpg 1920w)
Miranda Bailey has to be the least hated character on Grey's Anatomy because of her reputation as the toughest surgical resident. But regardless of being a competitive mentor, she has some flaws that sometimes make her character the complete opposite. Bailey is often seen as disrespectful to Richard Webber, one of her biggest supporters when she removes him from the residency program and appoints Eliza Minnick.
Miranda is loved and strong, but she has her share of insecurities and is often too quick to judge others. In Grey's Anatomy, Richard, Alex, and Bailey are quick to judge her.
All the episodes of Grey's Anatomy are available to watch online on the show's official website, ABC.com. Fans can also access the show on other online streaming networks, such as Netflix.