27 TV And Movie Characters Who Were Sold To Us As "Unsexy", But No One Is Buying It For A Second

"My suspension of disbelief can only go so far."

Recently, we asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which TV and movie characters they found super attractive, even though they were sold to us as "unsexy". Here are some of the best responses:

1. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds

CBS

"He was originally portrayed (in my opinion) as a weak, non-masculine, walking brain, but he can DEFINITELY get it, make no mistake."

— colleenh49665d105

"They call him 'pretty boy' sometimes, and the running joke seems to be that he's some lame nerd who could never get a date despite the fact that he looks LIKE THAT. He's gorgeous, adorable, and he dresses well, yet we're supposed to think he's not desirable?! My suspension of disbelief can only go so far."

— jadda42

"My panties fall off to the mere sight of his name!"

— gvlden

2. Chidi Anagonye from The Good Place

NBC

"Never would have thought he was THAT ripped under that sweater vest! Plus, that character is the best depiction of anxiety I’ve ever seen on screen, so he’ll always be extra endearing to me for that."

— hquinn31

"Chidi was just straight up sexy, no doubt about it!"

— elliel44400adf5

3. Stiles Stilinski from Teen Wolf

MTV

"I know he was meant to be goofy and awkward, but he was so cute, smart, and funny – how can that not be sexy!"

— buzzgirl95

"He was supposed to be unpopular and nerdy, but Dylan O'Brien was too handsome for anyone to believe that."

— rachell11

"100% everyone I know thinks he's the sexiest person on the show."

—vmellybellyjelly123

4. Abed Nadir from Community

NBC

"When he channeled Han Solo or Don Draper specifically."

— bc13

"Gotta say, that kiss with Annie when he was in Han mode looked like it was VERY nice."

— samantham49

5. Henry Grubstick from Ugly Betty

ABC

"When he takes his shirt off it does something to me."

— hevf

6. Willow Rosenberg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The WB/UPN

"She's so adorable, I don't know how people can't see that!"

— kermitzefrog

"How could anyone say Willow isn't a total fox?"

— alexlouise13

7. Howard Moon from The Mighty Boosh

BBC Three

"He was always built up to be the weird, awkward, and unattractive one to Vince’s charismatic ladies man vibe. But I’m a Howard girl all the way! When he wore those tweed speedos, I loved it!"

— yeahsurejan

8. Walter Skinner from The X-Files

Fox

"So during lockdown, I’ve been watching The X-Files from the beginning and my god, Assistant Director Walter Skinner is fiiiiiine. He's the stern, firm, but fair boss man at the beginning, and then towards the end he gives off really protective, Dad-like vibes. There was an episode where he was running around in his underpants for some reason, and every time I put the show on I’m secretly hoping he’ll be doing it again."

— alih26

9. Rajesh Koothrappali from The Big Bang Theory

CBS

"He’s awkward, but so so hot 😜."

— mumingo

"His absolute smoothness with the role-play line – 'so you say you can’t pay your rent' 😳🤯."

— hellocomputer1701

10. Mouth McFadden from One Tree Hill

The WB/The CW

"Currently re-watching and he is much better than some of the other characters who are meant to be 'the hot ones'."

— louisep24

11. Bernard Black from Black Books

Channel 4

"He’s a filthy drunk but very hot!"

— huffpuff

12. Rupert Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The WB/UPN

"I'm not sure if he fits into this category but Giles was very sexy in my opinion 😘."

— tiia84

"Sooo hot, especially now that I’m older than he was on the show. Hot damn. And then when he turns into Ripper. Ruff."

— marjan602

13. Maurice Moss from The IT Crowd

Channel 4

"I am 100% attracted to Moss! He's a straight nerd, but he owns it, which makes him even more attractive."

— egc26

14. Lilith Sternin from Cheers

CBS / Via Getty Images

"They put a lot of effort into making her look less attractive, and made so many jokes about how pale she was but I thought she was really hot."

— reallydone

15. Richie Tozier from It: Chapter Two

Warner Bros. Pictures

"I feel like we were supposed to swoon over Ben after he grew up, or even Mike, the literal Old Spice Guy. But no, I'm swooning over Richie – all 6'2" of him, from his receding hairline to his dorky glasses. Being a big Bill Hader fan definitely helps too!"

— allopoppet94

16. Lance Sweets from Bones

Fox

"He fits this perfectly, even though Bones is definitely a more serious show."

— smungahh

17. Aram Mojtabai from The Blacklist

NBC

"Along with being super cute, he was an absolute sweetheart. He must be protected at all costs."

— gargkriti23

18. Dwight Schrute from The Office

NBC

"I’m sorry to say this but Dwight! The way he cares for Angela and how passionate he is about her – it’s hot! Sue me."

— protoaster42

19. Principal Ralph Durbin from A.P. Bio

NBC/Peacock

"I got to meet him a few years ago and the man has serious charisma. He was absolutely charming. My crush started immediately."

— mollymcduck

20. Jean-Ralphio Saperstein from Parks and Recreation

NBC

"Yes he is meant to be a bit sleazy, but he's adorable in a sexy kind of way."

— beckyh4a6e6b265

"Jean-Ralphio may be the WOOORST, but Ben Schwartz is tall, dark, and handsome! Yum."

— shauna_malwae-tweep

21. Winston Bishop from New Girl

Fox

"Aside from being incredibly attractive, the man is an absolute DELIGHT."

— thetimble

"What’s not to like 😉."

— Mynameischristina

22. Lane Pryce from Mad Men

AMC

"He's not hot per se, but he's just so charismatic. That actor completely steals whatever scene he is in!"

— alexlouise13

23. Velma Dinkley from the Scooby-Doo movies

Warner Bros. Pictures

"A bad wig and glasses doesn’t take away from the fact that she is beautiful."

— hairbymorgen

"Velma opened my lesbian eyes for woman like that. Only got better with the live action movies too!"

— irisajune606

24. Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

NBCU Photo Bank / Via Getty Images

"He was written as this conservative, uptight mama's-boy, but I've always fancied him. Especially when he spontaneously became a stripper that one time... Ugh!"

– sam_cleal

25. Seth Cohen from The O.C.

Fox

"From the first episode, I was in love with him. I never understood why he was made out to be this dork that no one wanted to date when he was my dream guy! I always thought he was so much hotter than Ryan. Luckily, he became the real heartthrob of the show."

— gallegod

26. Chandler Bing from Friends

NBC

"Have you people even seen season one and season two Chandler? He was so charming. His good looks are under-appreciated."

— s4bb472acb

"I watched the entire show solely for Chandler. I remember thinking he was super cute, and his character was way funnier, smarter, and hotter than all of his other cast mates."

— nadakhaledhassan

"Chandler Bing could GET it!"

— elliel44400adf5

27. (Not technically a character but) John Oliver from Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Eric Liebowitz / HBO

"Does John Oliver count? He always portrays himself as nerdy and unattractive, but his personality, intelligence, humor, and accent make him super attractive in my books! I love that dry, sarcastic, self-deprecating British sense of humor!"

— egc26

Note: Some entries were edited for length and/or clarity.

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