Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix series Ozark.
Considering that the most consistent theme in Ozark is crime, it's fair to say that none of the characters and normal, everyday citizens who people should find likable. However, it is a popular trend in television nowadays to have anti-heroes and that is very much the case with this popular Netflix series.
However, if the criminal aspect is stripped away, a big aspect of the show is family, and that's something everyone can relate to. The series has some fantastic characters with great depth and unique personalities, all of which are totally different from the others, but which people within Ozark manage to be likable despite the violence and criminal activities depicted on the show?
Updated on April 27th, 2022, by Hannah Saab: With the second part of Ozark's fourth and final season just around the corner, fans are likely discussing theories, moments from the trailer, and, of course, what they hope will happen to their favorite characters. A lot has changed since the first season of the show. Some characters like Buddy and Ruth have become iconic in the fandom for all the right reasons. Others like Javi and Darlene have joined the ranks of the most hated Ozark characters–and for a good reason.
Javi Elizonndro
Navarro's nephew and successor, Javi is quickly becoming the most hated Ozark character in the fandom, in large part due to his reckless and selfish actions. The younger cartel leader is more impulsive than Navarro, which has put the Byrdes in some dangerous situations.
Aside from almost compromising the entire deal with the pharmaceutical company, Javi has threatened the Byrdes' lives more than once. Of course, viewers won't soon forget the terrifying scene where he shoots Darlene and Wyatt without hesitation, which negatively impacts the fan-favorite, Ruth.
Darlene Snell
Darlene Snell is someone that people don't want to mess with and the reason for that is that she is always willing to take matters into her own hands. Darlene is incredibly strong-willed and determined to get whatever she wants, and that is something that just has to be respected. She's both one of the best Ozark characters because of how well-written her story arc is, but also a disliked individual by fans thanks to her questionable actions.
Aside from killing her own husband in a dramatic fashion, Darlene has made life difficult for the Byrdes, Ruth, and even the cartel. Her most recent controversial relationship with Wyatt was likely the last straw for most audiences, who couldn't stand how she was manipulating the vulnerable character.
Roy Petty
In a series like this, the police and FBI are always going to come across as the enemy, and that is very much the case with Roy Petty. While he is only trying to do his job throughout Ozark, he is certainly one of the least liked members of the show. A lot of that doesn't have to do with his work though, but the way he conducts his business.
Roy doesn't play by the book and is willing to bend the rules and hurt whoever gets in his way to get what he wants, which adds to people's negative feelings about him. Looking back, though, his actions with Russ seem pretty tame compared to other villains in the series. Viewers likely thought they had seen the worst Ozark character when Agent Petty was introduced, but that's only because they hadn't met Darlene and Javi yet.
Wyatt Langmore
It's not Wyatt's fault that his life has just gotten progressively worse since the Byrdes came to town. Like Ruth, he has suffered from losses, most notably with his father. However, it's still frustrating to watch him throw away his relationship with Charlotte, as well as with Ruth, to embrace a twisted life with Darlene.
Viewers are likely divided, with some feeling bad for him, and others thinking he got himself into a risky situation. It's important to note that like Charlotte, he's still just a young man who was dealt a bad hand.
Omar Navarro
With his private jets, extravagant parties, and numerous guards, it's clear that Navarro is the richest villain in Ozark so far. With him in prison and Javi's fate uncertain, though, things are likely still going to change in the final part of the series.
While fans may have hated Navarro for being an antagonist who does horrific things like torture Marty, there's no denying that his interactions with the Byrdes have helped them negotiate a deal with the government. Plus, with Javi in the mix, Navarro begins to look like the more rational and less dangerous bad guy.
Helen Pierce
Similar to Roy, Helen Pierce is in a position where she is very much the enemy. Helen served as the bridge between the Byrde family and the cartel, and she's around to deliver the hammer blows that disrupt plans. While she's incredibly intelligent, Helen has no problem being as cruel as she wants.
While she does help the Byrde family at points, it is clear to see that Helen is always thinking about herself in the background. That said, fans likely became more sympathetic towards Helen after seeing how the cartel tortures and hurts her to make sure her family doesn't know about what she does. The way she tries to keep her daughter Erin safe and isolated from her crimes is impressive, but it's still not an excuse for all her threats and cutthroat actions on the show.
Wendy Byrde
Wendy Byrde is quite a complex character and is one that some audiences love, and others despise. She starts out instantly being unlikable due to the fact she has an affair, and her refusal to really help out the family at first is frustrating.
However, then she turns into a true boss and not only does she get involved, but Wendy tries to take over. The constant powerplay against Marty is something a lot of people dislike about her though, yet when they're on the same page, they are almost unstoppable. The latest season shows even more of her negative traits, particularly in the way she's immaturely handling Jonah's rebellion after Ben's death. It's worth mentioning it's still shocking how she's using her own brother's death (that she ordered) as material for Public Relations stunts.
Jonah Byrde
There's not really much to dislike about Jonah Byrde as he is just a young boy trying to deal with the wild situation that his family has put him in unexpectedly. At first, Jonah doesn't get quite as much time to showcase his personality as he's quiet and reserved, but there's no doubt he is also extremely intelligent.
Now, though, fans know that Jonah is capable of incredible things, even if they aren't always legal. His story arc is slowly becoming more irritating than Charlotte's, as his anger is driving him to do reckless things like launder money for Ruth and Darlene. He's still just barely a teenager who's hurting, but some viewers can't be blamed for disliking him at this point.
Charlotte Byrde
Charlotte's story arc on Ozark is arguably the most confusing and frustrating one, as she has gone from hating her family to happily working for her mom without much of a logical transition. If fans can get over how bizarre her actions were in the first three seasons, her most recent decisions to get involved and help the family have been generally positive.
Charlotte quickly proves that she can be trusted with big tasks and she really makes an impact, proving herself to be just as fierce as her mother, making her quite an exciting character heading into the final few episodes of Ozark.
Marty Byrde
While he might be the one who gets his family into the mess that they are in, Marty is also the brains behind the operation trying to get them out of it. He's someone who is quick on his feet and is always able to come up with a plan to get the family out of a difficult situation.
Sure, he's not perfect and he does make a ton of big mistakes during the show, but deep down he's doing it for the right reasons. Marty doesn't want to be playing games with his wife and just wants life back to normal, and that is easy to respect. Plus, the fact he is so talented at money laundering also makes him likable, mainly because the show pushes the audience to appreciate that.
Rachel Garrison
Rachel Garrison is someone who just, unfortunately, gets dragged into the mess that is the Byrde family by complete accident. As the owner of the Blue Cat Lodge, Rachel is a respected member in the area and someone who just wants to work hard and get on with her business.
She tries to just live her life as normally as possible and that is why she's so likable. Of course, Marty ends up dragging her into his business, and that ultimately brings an end to her time on the show. Some fans likely miss her positive energy in the Blue Cat and even her initial chemistry with Marty. Some may not remember her at all, though, as her time on the series was relatively short.
Buddy Dieker
Buddy is the terminally ill man who owns the house that the Byrde family moves into, taking him on as a lodger in the process. He's someone who doesn't hold back his feelings and speaks the truth, which is quite a rare situation within this show.
Buddy's relationship with Jonah is a crucial part of the series, as the young boy learns a lot from him and is deeply affected by his passing. Buddy comes to the family's aid when needed and that is something that audiences respected, with his funny one-liners and his lack of fear when it comes to his illness being something that made him very likable.
Ben Davis
Ben's heartbreaking death in Ozark changed a lot of things for characters like Ruth, who decided to stop working for the Byrdes because of it, Jonah, who now hates his mom for it, and Wendy, who is still struggling to accept her part in his demise. The way his absence has affected the people around him speaks volumes about how important his character is.
The fun uncle stepped into the Byrdes' lives and developed a friendship with Jonah, who sorely needed it. His romance with Ruth was also entertaining to watch, as fans felt she deserved something good in her life. Viewers were mortified by the way Wendy talked to him about his future before he died, knowing she would give up his location just a few moments later. He was a decent person with good intentions, who made mistakes and irritated the wrong people, but more importantly, he was important to and loved by Ruth and Jonah.
Ruth Langmore
The reason that Ruth Langmore is the most likable character in the series is that she's one of the only ones who are genuine. Most of the characters in Ozark tend to be playing a game, lying, and hiding who they really are to try and suit other people.
That isn't the case with Ruth as what fans see is what they get, take it or leave it. Sure, she's not the smartest and there's a swear word in every sentence, but Ruth is hardworking and isn't afraid of anything. She always gets the job done, no questions asked and that is why she's so well-respected. On top of that, fans likely feel a lot of sympathy for the character, who has lost so many people over the course of the series.