22 Actresses Who Were Critical Of The Characters They Portrayed
Television and film roles can be career-defining, but performers do not always agree with the choices a character makes or the way a story frames them.
Over the years, several actresses have spoken candidly about roles that felt limiting, uncomfortable, or simply frustrating to play.
Some critiques focused on writing decisions. Others centered on tone, portrayal, or how audiences interpreted the character.
Here are 22 actresses who publicly shared reservations about characters they portrayed.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for entertainment and pop-culture commentary.
Descriptions of each actress’s perspective are based on publicly reported interviews and coverage, summarized in original wording for clarity.
1. Blake Lively – Serena Van Der Woodsen (Gossip Girl)
Blake Lively didn’t hold back when discussing her time as Serena on Gossip Girl.
She admitted that playing the character sometimes felt personally compromising, especially when Serena made questionable decisions.
Lively openly called out some of the character’s worst choices, showing she wasn’t afraid to distance herself from the role that made her famous.
Honestly, it takes courage to critique a character that launched your career.
2. Allison Williams – Marnie Michaels (Girls)
Marnie Michaels wasn’t exactly the kind of friend anyone would want in real life.
Allison Williams confessed that her character would drive her absolutely crazy if they ever met outside the show.
Despite her personal feelings, Williams still had to commit fully to Marnie’s frustrating decisions onscreen.
Perhaps that’s the mark of a true professional – playing someone you’d avoid at parties.
3. Katherine Heigl – Alison Scott (Knocked Up)
Backlash followed Katherine Heigl’s post-release criticism of Knocked Up.
Public remarks raised concerns about how women were portrayed and how the character was written.
Criticism focused on what was described as a sexist slant that clashed with personal values.
Debate flared, yet the moment helped push conversations about representation in comedy into the spotlight.
4. Shailene Woodley – Amy Juergens (The Secret Life Of The American Teenager)
Shailene Woodley wasn’t shy about her feelings toward The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
She revealed that she had moral objections to the messaging tied to the show and her character as the series progressed.
Woodley felt uncomfortable with some of the storylines and how they handled sensitive teen issues.
Thankfully, she moved on to roles that better aligned with her personal values.
5. Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana (Hannah Montana)
A heavy price came with growing up as Hannah Montana for Miley Cyrus.
Candid interviews have highlighted the personal toll of maintaining a squeaky-clean image for so long.
Brand expectations shaped audience perceptions in ways she couldn’t control.
Breaking away became necessary to move past the character and figure out who she really was.
6. Evangeline Lilly – Kate Austen (Lost)
Evangeline Lilly’s experience playing Kate on Lost wasn’t always smooth sailing.
She described being unhappy with aspects of Kate’s writing and characterization throughout the series.
Lilly felt that some of the creative choices didn’t serve the character well or allow for meaningful growth.
However, she remained professional and delivered a memorable performance despite her reservations about the role.
7. Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan (Twilight)
Sugarcoating has never been part of Kristen Stewart’s approach to Twilight.
Criticism targeted Bella as a character concept, framed as more of a vessel than a fully distinct person.
Depth and agency felt limited compared to what the role could have offered on screen.
Honesty about that experience has, over time, only seemed to deepen many fans’ respect.
8. Imelda Staunton – Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix)
Dolores Umbridge might be one of the most hated characters in the Harry Potter universe.
Imelda Staunton has described the character in strongly negative terms, emphasizing that she did not feel a need to soften Umbridge’s cruelty.
Staunton embraced the villainy without trying to make Umbridge likable or relatable in any way.
Maybe that’s why her performance was so chillingly effective and memorable.
9. Kate Winslet – Rose DeWitt Bukater (Titanic)
Kate Winslet has revisited Titanic with a critical eye over the years.
She’s been openly critical of her own performance choices as Rose when looking back at the film.
Winslet has mentioned things she would do differently now, showing remarkable self-awareness and growth as an actress.
Naturally, fans still adore her portrayal, even if she wishes she’d done things another way.
10. Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw (Sex And The City 2)
Even with Carrie Bradshaw so closely tied to Sarah Jessica Parker, doubts surfaced about the sequel.
Publicly, reasons were acknowledged for why some viewers felt Sex and the City 2 fell short of expectations.
Understanding of the criticism around tone and storyline showed empathy for disappointed fans.
Choosing honesty over defending every choice only strengthened the bond with audiences.
11. Jennifer Garner – Elektra Natchios (Elektra)
Jennifer Garner’s superhero movie Elektra didn’t exactly become a fan favorite.
She’s been associated with blunt criticism of how the movie turned out, acknowledging its shortcomings.
Garner has expressed that the film didn’t live up to what it could have been with better execution.
Fortunately, her career bounced back strong, proving one misstep doesn’t define an actress.
12. Charlize Theron – Ashley Mercer (Reindeer Games)
Blunt honesty came through when Charlize Theron discussed Reindeer Games.
A flat dismissal labeled the movie a bad one, delivered without hesitation.
A reputation for chasing quality projects makes the early misstep feel like a lesson learned.
Even Oscar winners have films they’d rather forget, and being upfront about that can feel refreshingly real.
13. Sally Field – May Parker (The Amazing Spider-Man)
Sally Field brought gravitas to Aunt May, but she wasn’t satisfied with the role.
She criticized the difficulty of finding a truly three-dimensional character in The Amazing Spider-Man.
Field felt the script didn’t give her enough depth to work with, leaving the character somewhat flat.
Really, when an actress of her caliber speaks up, it highlights how important good writing is.
14. Mariah Carey – “Herself” (Glitter)
Mariah Carey’s foray into acting with Glitter didn’t go as planned.
She cited the project as a major regret, acknowledging it was a low point in her career.
Carey has been candid about the film’s failure and how it affected her personally and professionally.
Though the movie flopped, she bounced back with her music and reclaimed her throne.
15. Cara Delevingne – Margo Roth Spiegelman (Paper Towns)
Honesty came through when Cara Delevingne talked about playing Margo in Paper Towns.
A joking interview remark said hatred, aimed at the mysterious character she portrayed.
Frustration surfaced around motivations and personality that never fully clicked.
Portraying someone personally disliked can turn the job into an acting challenge that still has to read as convincing.
16. Kelly Clarkson – “Kelly” (From Justin To Kelly)
First on-screen lessons arrived in the form of a movie Kelly Clarkson would rather erase completely.
Public mockery of From Justin to Kelly has made her dislike unmistakable.
Self-deprecating jokes about the film’s quality show how easily she can laugh at an early-career stumble.
Relatability rises when honesty stays playful, and fans seem to love her for it.
17. Gwyneth Paltrow – Rosemary Shanahan (Shallow Hal)
Strong feelings surface when Gwyneth Paltrow looks back on Shallow Hal.
Harsh words labeled the project a disaster, paired with memories of how uncomfortable the experience felt.
Concerns centered on how the movie handled its subject matter and how poorly it has aged over time.
Good intentions were acknowledged, yet hindsight made clear that the execution missed its target.
18. Megan Fox – Mikaela Banes (Transformers)
Megan Fox became a household name through Transformers, but at a cost.
She criticized the acting expectations and the overall emphasis of the film on appearance over substance.
Fox felt the character of Mikaela was framed in ways that made her miserable during production.
Ultimately, her honesty led to a public fallout with the franchise and director Michael Bay.
19. Emilia Clarke – Sarah Connor (Terminator Genisys)
Stepping into the iconic role of Sarah Connor turned out to be an unhappy experience.
Negative descriptions followed Terminator Genisys, along with relief that weak performance shut the door on sequels.
Gratitude surfaced around not having to return to a role that offered little creative fulfillment.
Dodging further installments likely cleared space for stronger opportunities later on.
20. Cher – Tess Scali (Burlesque)
Cher doesn’t shy away from speaking her mind, even about her own films.
She said Burlesque could have been much better and criticized the directing approach used.
Cher felt the movie had potential but didn’t reach the heights it should have achieved.
If a legend like Cher says a film fell short, you know she’s holding it to high standards.
21. Jennie Garth – Kelly Taylor (Beverly Hills, 90210)
Years of portraying Kelly Taylor came with lingering reservations about the character.
Criticism focused on a constant need for male approval and an underlying sense of insecurity.
Greater independence and stronger self-confidence felt missing from the way Kelly was written across the series.
Connection still formed with viewers who recognized pieces of their own struggles reflected on screen.
22. Britt Robertson – Sophia Marlowe (Girlboss)
Britt Robertson had mixed feelings about playing Sophia in Netflix’s Girlboss.
She said Sophia could be unpleasant and that she didn’t relate to the character’s selfishness.
Robertson struggled to connect with someone whose behavior often rubbed people the wrong way.
Maybe that disconnect showed through, as the series was canceled after just one season.
