Ozark: 10 Best Characters, Ranked By Bravery

Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix series Ozark.

It would be impossible to survive the dangerous situations in Ozark without a bit of bravery. Some characters have proven over the course of the series that they’re more courageous than most, diving headfirst into terrifying circumstances and risking their lives for power, wealth, or even just another day of safety.

The most fearless characters on the series don’t back down and give up so easily, even if all odds seem to be against them. Characters like Wendy, Buddy, and Darlene have demonstrated how they’re capable of enduring nerve-wracking things without ever breaking a sweat. As fans wait to see how they’ll display their fearlessness in the upcoming fourth and final season, it’s a great time to recognize some of the bravest characters on the show.

10 Roy Petty

As an FBI agent, Roy knows that he’s untouchable. He gets away with breaking rules and manipulating people like Russ and Rachel to get closer to Marty and the cartel. None of these actions require a lot of bravery, though, as Roy knows he can always rely on his badge and his threats of jail to get people to obey.

Roy’s one weakness – his mother – is easily exploited. He doesn’t hesitate to drop everything he has worked for once she’s threatened and doesn’t find a way to fight back, unlike what other, more courageous characters may have done in if they were in his situation.

9 Ben Davis

Fans can’t be blamed for shedding a tear or two after Ben’s heartbreaking death. Although he is far from being innocent, it was almost too painful to watch him struggle after realizing how badly he had messed things up for Ruth and the Byrdes.

While some may consider Ben’s actions like following Ruth with Jonah and confronting Helen brave, they’re more reckless than fearless in hindsight. He acts without thinking and it often backfires on him in the worst ways, especially when those actions endanger Wendy’s standing with the cartel.

8 Charlotte Byrde

It’s hard to imagine what it must be like for Charlotte to have to leave her friends and her old life behind, only to figure out that her parents are criminals. She understandably has a hard time accepting her new situation and is scared of the uncertainty it brings.

Her bravery is best seen in the way she copes with her wild new reality, eventually even considering emancipation from her parents. She may not point guns like Jonah or mercilessly kill like Wendy, but she’s courageous in her own small ways, as she isn’t afraid to take control of her life and does what she thinks is best for her.

7 Jonah Byrde

Despite coming face to face with Ozark’s most powerful characters like Helen and Darlene, the youngest Byrde is rarely scared. He adapts to his new life of crime incredibly quickly and even learns to launder money on his own, an act that requires both intelligence and courage.

Fans may remember how Jonah almost shoots an intruder with his mom’s permission and he even confronts Helen at gunpoint about Ben’s death towards the end of season 3. That said, he is still a kid and he’s often just as scared as Charlotte when his parents’ lives are in danger.

6 Helen Pierce

Helen has been an intimidating character from the start and she has shown that the Byrdes should fear her. She’s not afraid to torture and kill for the cartel and is unflinching when it comes to making cruel decisions like getting rid of Sue.

She’s calculating and strategic, but not bold enough to be honest with her family about her line of work like the Byrdes are. She’s also possibly alarmed by how impressed Navarro is by the Byrdes’ accomplishments, so she makes the foolish and cowardly choice to frame them as rats with the FBI.

5 Marty Byrde

When Marty confronts Del in the first season of the show, fans get a good idea of just how courageous he can be. He goes on to prove that he can launder money and stare down baddies like Bobby in the Ozarks for the cartel.

There’s no denying that if Marty had a choice, though, he’d want out – he’s not interested in becoming the richest character in Ozark. He’s constantly terrified for the safety of his family, although he tries his best not to show it. He never lets fear overwhelm him, especially when he knows that a cool head and a bit of thinking can almost always help him gain the upper hand.

4 Ruth Langmore

Ruth’s fearlessness has led to some of her worst mistakes in Ozark, which includes throwing Cosgrove Jr. off of the casino. Her bravery has also come in handy, though, like when she kills Russ and Boyd before they could murder Marty and withstands Helen’s torture to prove her loyalty.

She acts tough because she is. Her ambitiousness goes hand in hand with her boldness, which has made it possible for her to achieve so much over the course of the series. She does have her moments of weakness that are mostly caused by her insecurities about what others think of her – these are few and far between, and her more courageous actions easily outweigh them.

3 Wendy Byrde

Although it took Wendy some time to find her footing in the Ozarks, she became an unstoppable force once she realized how powerful she could be. She manages to be brave enough to personally meet Navarro, which could be part of the reason the Byrdes are still alive.

Wendy’s most courageous action so far is how she chooses to sacrifice Ben to the cartel for the safety of her family, instead of trying to find a way to save him. She may be visibly shaken, emotional, and at times, vulnerable in front of Marty, but she never lets her fear get in the way of doing what has to be done.

2 Buddy Dieker

Most fans would agree that Buddy deserved more time on the show, as he’s a fan-favorite character who proves that you can be a badass at any age and despite a terminal illness. With less than a year left to live, Buddy has nothing to lose and it shows.

He bravely confronts his old pal and rival, Frank, to help Marty strike a deal with the KC mob. Fans also likely still remember how he defends Wendy and the kids by shooting Garcia. His most fearless action happens during his last hours alive when he burns down the Snells’ poppy fields. Given more time in the series, there’s no doubt that Buddy would further prove how fearless he is.

1 Darlene Snell

Each new episode featuring Darlene only underscores how ruthless, cunning, and bold she can be. From the moment she kills Bobby with an injection to the scene where she injures Cosgrove Jr. to retaliate for Ruth, her violent actions have only become more brazen with time.

She’s not afraid of the consequences she may face because she knows she’s untouchable. In fact, at times it feels as if she’s daring the Byrdes and the cartel to come after her. The fact that she’s able to murder the love of her life, Jacob, without even flinching, speaks volumes about how fearless she is.

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