The Office is known for the show's many memorable characters in its ensemble cast, from the lovable Pam Halpert to the eccentric Creed Bratton. However, as many hardcore fans of the show will , not all characters started off as loved as they are now.
This could be for any number of reasons - whether it be unpleasant personality traits or relationships they don't like. Some characters, like Charles Miner, were only brought in for a short run. Others, like Erin, were part of the permanent cast. No matter the reason, fans can be fickle about characters on a beloved show, and will be vocal about their preferences.
Charles Miner
Charles Miner, played by Idris Elba, was the main villain of season 5. In his short time on the show he acted as a foil to Michael Scott as a much stricter manager. He was hated for being the total opposite of Michael as well as being a bully toward Jim.
However, after rewatching the show, fans have had a change of heart about him. While he did play a strong minor antagonist for a brief while, they did like the fact that he actually wanted the branch to do well and refused to give into Michael's shenanigans. His presence also brought created some hilarious new rivalries, including Kelly and Angela, and Michael and Dwight.
Nellie
Nellie, played by Catherine Tate (Donna Noble in Doctor Who), was initially disliked for stealing Andy's job while also trying to get Dwight sacked for her idea. It seemed like she was only interested in looking out for herself and didn't care about who got hurt in the process.
However, Nellie slowly started to become more sympathetic and likable over time, particularly since she became a strong system for Pam and showing herself to be one of the calmer voices of reason by season 9. She was also one of the few who wasn't afraid to stand up to Dwight, which often lead to some hilarious scenes and dynamics between the two. If the show had gone on longer, it would have been interesting to see if she could have gotten as involved in the prank wars.
Erin
Initially, Erin, played by Ellie Kemper (also from The Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt), annoyed fans with her overly innocent and saccharine personality. They deemed her as very unrealistic.
However, she was also another character that quickly grew on fans once the writers began to develop her arc in more depth. While Erin had been involved in several memorable romances, the relationships that impacted the viewers most was the one she shared with Michael and Kelly, which provided an array of sentimental and hilarious moments. The storyline that involved the search for her parents also involved several sweet scenes that ultimately paid off in the finale, where they reunited at a . She may have faced the most heartbreak through the show, so fans were happy when she got the ending she deserved.
Gabe
Gabe (Zach Woods) was disliked for being full of himself and arrogant. Viewers also found him creepy and off-putting for his strange interests and how he became a man-child after Erin broke up with him.
However, on rewatch, fans found that they liked him a lot better as audiences felt more endeared by his awkwardness and vulnerability. He often tried his best to make sure that the workers were all heard and not ignored by the company, and he offered a sympathetic shoulder to those who needed it.
Meredith
When it comes to Meredith, there were mixed feelings towards her initially. While many of the characters are very unrealistic and dramatic, there were a few who were a bit uncomfortable with how Meredith behaved around the office and the other workers.
However, since the show has ended, fans have come to realize that Meredith was possibly one of the most underrated characters on the show due to the fact that she was far more kind and not judgmental. She was also very ive of her friends and offered a helping hand if she thought they were in trouble (such as when Pam was struggling with Jim in Philadelphia and when Erin needed a ride home from work). She was certainly a person who would someone in the darkest of times.
Kelly
Although she is now considered to be one of the best characters, it took fans a while to warm up to Kelly (Mindy Kaling) due to the fact that her mean-spirited attitude and immature behavior often caused chaos among the office workers. She would often spout lies to get what she wanted and would even sabotage her other colleagues to get revenge. It also seemed like she didn't care for anything other than herself.
However, the fans opinions soon changed when th writers devoted more time in exploring her friendships with Pam and Erin. Although she wasn't always the greatest friend, she was always there to pick both women up when they were going through a hard time and refused to let anything affect their confidence. She also provided much comic relief with her sarcastic and witty lines, which meshed in well with the calmer of the office, who didn't know how to handle her energetic behavior. The Office would have certainly been boring with presence.
Angela
Angela (Angela Kinsey) was viewed by fans as a hateful hypocritical person who was very judgmental to others' actions. She was also very cold and distant, which certainly made her stand out among the other office workers.
However, after witnessing her and Dwight's iconic love story and seeing her many heartbreaks, fans couldn't help but view her in another light. Not only did these storylines allow viewers provide insight into Angela's mind and see her vulnerabilities, but it also made her a lot sympathetic and relatable. While fans certainly don't agree with everything she did or the opinions she spouted, they have come to understand her more as time goes on.
Andy
Andy (Ed Helms) was often disliked by fans by for being an immature selfish man-child. He also was desperate for attention and very manipulative.
Fans' impression of Andy started to change as his characterization went away from his more negative persona and more toward a lovable eccentric. Fans also loved his romance with the equally eccentric Erin due to the fact that they had similar personalities and interests. While it was a shame that he did regress quite a bit in season 9 and that his relationship didn't work out the way he wanted, fans were pleased that he did manage to get his dream job at Cornell. Given his love for the university, it did seem like a fitting tribute.
Michael
Michael (Steve Carrel) was disliked by fans for having the most cringe comedy moments and often was very attention-seeking.
However, as time went on, fans later appreciated Michael's gradual character development. Not only did they see first-hand experience as to why Dunder Mifflin viewed him as one of their greatest assets, but it was a pleasure to watch him try his best to be a greater boss and friend for his co-workers. He still had his flaws and did make mistakes, but fans always appreciated that he did his best to try and do the right thing afterward.
Dwight
When fans first met Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), he was certainly a character that fans found hard to engage with. He was ruthless, scheming, and extremely insensitive. He also seemed desperate to manipulate his way to the top, doing his best to sabotage his colleagues so that he could get the top managerial position.
However, after many, many rewatches, he has become a firm favorite for many. Not only is this because fans were charmed by his character growth, watching him become a good friend to Pam and Jim, but they also come to appreciate his ion for the job. It always amazes fans how creative they got with Dwight's background and the commitment Wilson put in the role.