Now that The Umbrella Academy has been renewed for a fourth and final season by Netflix, the finish line for this story of the Hargreeves family is in sight. The continued success of the series is no surprise though, as the unique tale as well as the well-developed and complex characters are extremely compelling.
It's unusual for a TV series to be able to develop so many characters so richly in such a short amount of time, but the personalities of the Umbrella Academy and those who float in their orbit is quite solidly established, enough so that where each major player falls in the Myers-Briggs personality types is obvious.
Updated by Hilary Elizabeth on August 26th, 2022: Given the recent renewal and announced conclusion of The Umbrella Academy, as well as the recently released third season which introduced new significant characters and further explored the existing cast, this article has been amended to include the most important characters and reflect the ongoing developments of the series.
The Handler - ESTJ
The flamboyance of the Handler seems strangely out of place in the context of her brutal and terrifying job, but the fact that she wants to be so distinctive despite her position seems apropos for her ESTJ personality.
This MBTI type is a natural leader and inherently charming and charismatic, which perfectly suits the Handler. Although she clearly has an inner darkness that the average person could never match, her ability to manage any situation with style is very ESTJ.
Lila Pitts - ESTP
ESTPs are a bold and adventurous bunch, certainly more the type to do something rather than think about it.
Although Lila spent an unfortunate amount of time living under her adoptive mother's thumb, once she realized that she had been manipulated and exploited by the Handler, she was surprisingly adept and unafraid to strike out on her own. Once she decided to fly solo, she had no problem marching to the beat of her own drum, figuratively and literally.
Sir Reginald Hargreeves - ENTJ
Reginald is an intelligent, efficient, and dedicated individual that often appears cold and distant. While it’s not typically clear whether or not Sir Hargreeves actually loves his adopted children, there is definite care and affection hidden under all that “We must save the world, children” business.
That benevolence coupled with his sincere belief that he is capable of training a team who will prevent the apocalypse clearly denotes him as an ENTJ, commonly referred to as "the Commander." Not only can he see a bigger picture, but he's wants to draw that picture himself.
Sloane Hargreeves - ESFJ
Despite the fact that Sloane is consistently rejected by her prickly family, her openness, kindness, and devotion towards her loved ones has been completely unwavering.
It comes as no surprise that she and Luther share nearly identical MBTI types, and it's adorable to see these two unwilling loners finally find someone they love and can relate to, even if their pseudo-sibling relationship is a little odd. Sloane's general positivity is difficult to resist, as is the case with most ESFJs.
Viktor Hargreeves - INFP
The people-pleasing surface of an INFP can be incredibly deceptive, as these "Mediators" are so empathetic that they desperately need the people around them to get along.
However, beneath that veneer of quiet acquiescence, anyone who gets to know an INFP like Viktor will be astounded at the depth and creativity that exists within them. Ironically, despite Viktor's desire to bring everyone together, he almost always feels overlooked or misunderstood by those around them, another hallmark of this MBTI type.
Ben Hargreeves - INFJ
The original timeline Ben is introverted, sensitive, and has an unstoppably deep love for his family. Ironically, despite the fact that he could only communicate with Klaus, Ben really lived up to the INFJ title of "the Advocate," as his insights oftentimes brought the Hargreeves clan exactly what they needed at the moment.
On the flip side, the Sparrow Academy version of Ben is so outrageously unappealing that he may have inspired the Umbrella Academy to question why they even missed him in the first place. However, that harshness was likely a defense mechanism, as INFJs need to have an impact on the world around them, so Ben was undoubtedly frustrated at his lack of control.
Number Five - INTJ
From the second Number Five gets trapped in the future, he has one goal: get back to his family and save the world. With that goal in mind, he sets out on a journey that leads him to kill many people throughout space-time. None of this matters, however, it’s the mission that matters. And, it's this ability to see the bigger picture in a pragmatic sense that makes Five such a quintessential INTJ.
INTJ's are known as "the Architects" of the MBTI, and Five's fundamental ability to even comprehend the nature of time travel should explain why this personality type suits him so well.
Klaus Hargreeves - ENTP
Klaus is by far the most extroverted member of his family, and potentially the most powerful. While Allison has cultivated an outgoing personality into a career, Klaus has made all the world his stage.
Klaus can talk his way out of or into just about anything. Klaus is deceptively intelligent and thoughtful without ever letting his siblings into what’s really going on in his world. He puts up a front of casual carelessness, but as evidenced by his ability to connect with someone like the alternate-timeline Reginald, he's incredibly insightful and has a huge heart.
Allison Hargreeves - ESFP
Clearly, Allison Hargreeves couldn't be anything other than an ESFP, AKA "the Entertainer". It’s interesting that Allison, of all the children in the Umbrella Academy, was the one that decided to really continue her life in the public eye. Allison may have left the Hargreeves home, but she never left the spotlight like all of her siblings did.
Allison, much like her brother Klaus, is a free spirit. She needs to have the space to grow in any direction she pleases, which means she can have a hard time taking a backseat to the plans of others. That may have worked in the Umbrella Academy days, but by the time the series takes place, Allison is a much more independent and confident person.
Diego Hargreeves - ISTP
This sort of archetype is common within the ISTP personality type, as these are the kind of people that get stuff done. They don’t care about what everyone else may be thinking or feeling, they just care about finishing the job.
ISTP's are often called "the Virtuoso" of the MBTI, and Diego embodies that concept in an intense way. A natural loner, he has figured out how to be a hero in his own way rather than following the path that his father or society at large has laid out for him.
Luther Hargreeves - ISFJ
While some may call Luther a strict or ruthless leader, others might simply say that he is a young man who feels quite a lot, and does the best that he can under the circumstances. It’s not that Luther purposefully sets out to upset his siblings, he simply lacks the ability to communicate with them effectively, which is something that can lead to some deadly consequences.
However, Luther clearly feels a great deal of responsibility for his family and is always the first to put himself on the line for them, just like any ISFJ. His natural introversion can make him awkward and make it difficult for him to take charge, but he shows his devotion through his actions.