TV Characters Who Had An AWFUL 2016

Taylor, American Crime

Was drugged, photographed and sexually assaulted by members of the high school basketball team. Couldn't convince school administrators that the rape occurred. Got beaten up by the athletes. Shot a student.

Matt, American Horror Story: Roanoke

Barely survived a three-day assault from an army of vengeful spirits, during which he had sex with an evil ghost witch. Afterwards, his wife cheated on him. Then he reunited with the ghost witch for round two, only to be bludgeoned to death by his wife.

Martha, The Americans

Learned her husband "Clark" killed her co-worker Gene. Got yanked out of her job as an FBI secretary and stuffed in a KGB safehouse. Then got put on a plane to Russia, with Clark telling her she'll never see him again. Doesn't even speak Russian.

Diggle, Arrow

Released his "resurrected" brother/ H.I.V.E. operative Andy from lair captivity, only to be betrayed — and in a manner that led to Laurel's death. Ultimately killed his brother in cold blood, then quit Team Arrow because of his self-hate. Landed in prison on bogus charges, was freed long enough to learn his son was a daughter pre-Flashpoint, and then got thrown behind bars again.

Elizabeth, The Blacklist

Had her wedding interrupted by one of Red's biggest enemies. Faked her own death just to escape Red and flee to Cuba. Taken hostage by Alexander Kirk. Separated from her newborn daughter. Betrayed by Tom. Still doesn't know who her real father is.

Agent Reade, Blindspot

Uncovered repressed memories about his football coach molesting him. Had a mental breakdown. May or may not have killed said coach. Almost watched Zapata, his closest friend at the FBI, die from a neurotoxin injection.

John, Bloodline

Spent 10 episodes clumsily attempting to cover up his murder of brother Danny, destroying his career and every familial relationship in the process. Ended the season a quasi-fugitive.

Alex, Casual

Discovered his ex-girlfriend was engaged to his new boss. Won back said ex, only to have her go into a tailspin and move in, unannounced. Was sued for negligence by his company. Euthanized his own father.

Matthew, Difficult People

Was temporarily demoted to deliveryman at the cafe, suffered a mental break that led him to run through Times Square naked, looked on in horror as his octogenarian husband died at their wedding and got slapped across the face by Gabourey Sidibe.

Rhonda, Empire

Found no supporters in her family when she correctly guessed it was Anika who pushed her down a flight of stairs and caused her miscarriage. Got hurled off a balcony to her death when she finally confronted Boo-Boo Kitty with her suspicions. Had her funeral take place off screen, her in-laws barely mention her passing and her husband Andre quickly rebound with R&B chanteuse Nessa (although her ghost got to participate in the new couple's desktop lovemaking).

Barry, The Flash

Girlfriend Patty bailed on him. Dad returned to Central City, only to be killed by Zoom. Went back in time to save Mom, only to have to "ask" for her to be killed again — yet still, lingering Flashpoint changes irked his affected friends. Learned that in a possible future, Savitar brutally slays Iris. Girlfriend got him a wallet for Christmas.

Tommen, Game of Thrones

Started out Season 6 as King of Westeros. Had to play nice with the High Sparrow to get his wife Margaery out of jail. Watched his mom Cersei blow Margaery to bits. Threw himself out a window.

Marnie, Girls

Cheated on her husband with her heroin-addicted ex, was robbed at gunpoint, got divorced, and whined about her miserable life to anyone that'd listen.

Alex, Grey's Anatomy


Was charged with felony assault. Got booted from the hospital to the clinic. Learned that if his case went to trial, Jo's abusive husband could find her. Decided to take the plea deal and go to prison.

Frank, How to Get Away With Murder

Forced to go on the run after shooting Wes' biological father. Attacked by one of Annalise's hitmen... who he then killed. Rejected by Bonnie after they slept together. Found out Laurel had started dating Wes. Tried to kill himself in front of Annalise, who encouraged him to pull the trigger.

Issa, Insecure


Feared a day-job disaster when she was caught on video rapping "Broken P—y." Lost her BFF (temporarily) after suggesting therapy might help Molly. Lost boyfriend Lawrence (maybe for good) after cheating with Daniel.

Mike, The Last Man on Earth

Emergency return to Earth left him stranded in the Pacific Ocean. Left for dead after befriending the mentally unstable Pat. Caught the virus almost immediately after reuniting with Phil. Returned to childhood home to die alone.

Belle, Once Upon a Time

Learned in one fell swoop that her unborn baby had been pre-sold to Hades and that her husband was once again The Dark One. Subjected self to a sleeping spell, only to wake up to learn that her future son would hate his father. After her pregnancy was accelerated by the Evil Queen, she handed newborn off to Blue Fairy for safekeeping — only to have wee Gideon babynapped by the Black Fairy. Oh, and now her grown son is in town to kill Emma!

Sophia, Orange Is the New Black

Unjustly kept in solitary confinement. Was no longer allowed to take her hormones. Released back into minimum security only after attempting suicide.

Claire, Outlander

Was poisoned by a vindictive French businessman. constantly fought with her husband. Lost her unborn child in a dangerous stillbirth that nearly killed her, as well.

Ethan, Penny Dreadful 


Suffered through a bloody reunion with his father. Turned (temporarily) to the dark side. Lost witchy lover Hecate. Learned he'd been turned into a werewolf by his Apache father. Had to kill true love Vanessa to save her from becoming the mother of evil.

Shaw, Person of Interest

Held captive by Samaritan, where she was subject to an emotionally abusive test — 6,742 times. Even when she escaped, suspected she was still in a "simulation," and almost killed herself. Lost her love, Root (to a sniper), as well as colleague John (who sacrificed himself to a missile).

Alison, Pretty Little Liars

Mourned the death of her sister. Married a lunatic who held her captive in a mental asylum. Watched her husband die, then discovered she's pregnant with his child.

Ichabod, Sleepy Hollow

Watched his partner die, twice. Was abducted by a secret organization.

Barb, Stranger Things


Had her words of wisdom totally ignored by supposed bestie Nancy. Got peer-pressured into disastrously trying to poke a hole in a can of beer. Was snatched by the monster and died in the Upside Down.

Matt, The Vampire Diaries

As if accidentally murdering his fiancée wasn't bad enough, Matt also had to say goodbye to his best friend, killed at the fangs of another former friend.

Selina, Veep

Was forced to endure a months-long election recount. Unexpectedly succeeded by the second-ever female POTUS. Left office with the legacy of only being more effective than James Buchanan, a president largely blamed for helping engineer the Civil War.


Glenn, The Walking Dead


Had his head bashed in by Negan. That's more than enough terrible for any one person in a single year, isn't it?


Jason, Wayward Pines

His poor leadership skills made Earth inhabitable for humans once more. Found out his wife was his biological mother, who eventually killed him when he attacked her in response to the incestual revelation.

Paul, You're the Worst

Got stabbed by his wife, Lindsay, who then kept him incapacitated for as long as possible. Was cuckolded by Lindsay, who made him watch while she slept with other men. Had no say in Lindsay's abortion. Started divorce proceedings.

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