In The Dark: The Main Characters Ranked By Likability

In The Dark has developed compelling characters, many of whom manage to be quite likable despite their morally dubious actions.

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Filled with mystery, suspense, and off-beat humor, In The Dark is a perfect show to binge-watch on Netflix. It is an addicting series to get sucked into not just because of its tone and genre, but because of its memorable characters.

Over the course of its 3 seasons so far, In The Dark has developed compelling personalities, many of whom manage to be quite likable despite their morally dubious actions. The show’s biggest plot twists have also influenced the characters’ likability as the twists reveal game-changing information about the characters.

10 Dean Riley

For most of season 1, Dean seemed like a kind and compassionate man. When it became clear that the nice guy act was a facade, Dean was revealed to be the show’s most unlikable and despicable character.

He was a corrupt police officer working for Nia Bailey. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he killed the kindhearted teenager Tyson Parker. Dean panicked about Tyson revealing the secret of him being a dirty cop. Dean pretended to help Murphy uncover the truth about Tyson’s death and began a romantic relationship with her, all while lying to her and knowing that he killed her good friend.

9 Nia Bailey

Ordering the death of police officer Jules Becker showed how ruthless Nia Bailey could be. Jules had been Darnell’s girlfriend since high school and he loved her, but Nia still had her brother’s girlfriend murdered. Nia also forced Murphy and her friends to turn Guiding Hope–a school for training guide dogs–into a business to launder Nia’s money. Later on, Nina beat Murphy within an inch of her life and if not for Jess, Nia would’ve killed Murphy.

The only thing that prevents Nia from being In The Dark’s most unlikeable character is that she had nothing to do with Tyson’s death–that was all Dean–and her brutal actions didn’t feel quite as personal and traitorous against the series’ protagonist Murphy as Dean’s actions did.

8 Josh Wallace

Josh was likable in season 2 as a mild-mannered and charming individual who brought some much-needed stability into Murphy’s life. When he realized at the end of season 2 that Murphy manipulated him, his trust, and the fact that he was gradually going blind, he was understandably upset and betrayed.

However, this turn of events turned him into a rather unlikeable character in season 3, as he became obsessed with punishing Murphy by making sure she went to jail for the rest of her life. Everything that was likable about him in season 2 disappeared as he became little more than a man hellbent on getting revenge against his ex, and when he finally caught Murphy and put her away, he was left feeling disappointed and empty, just like the audience knew he would be all along.

7 Gene Clemens

The ambitious, idealistic, and quirky police officer Gene felt like a breath of fresh air in the show. In a police department overrun by corruption, Gene was one of the only cops who remained honorable. He rooted out the corruption–even at great risk to himself and his career–and insisted on finding the truth at all costs.

Gene could easily be the protagonist of his own show, but since he was one of the people trying to find and arrest this show’s protagonist Murphy and her friends, he loses some of his likability. It is no fault of his own; it’s just a matter of how the story is told.

6 Trey

Trey started out as a minor character in season 2 before becoming a prominent character in season 3. He put his neck on the line to vouch for Darnell, which immediately earned him some likability points. He and Murphy falling for each other was unexpected, but his calm and easygoing demeanor was exactly what Murphy needed.

While Trey was good for her in many ways, he also didn’t know how to say “no” to her and indulged some of her truly terrible ideas, like helping her take a cop hostage. He’s a likable guy who lost some points for enabling Murphy too much.

5 Max Parish

At first, Max seemed like he was going to be an arrogant character, but he quickly proved otherwise. Max turned out to be a charming and loyal individual. Even at risk to himself, he always helped Murphy, Jess, and Felix.

By season 3, though, Max’s character became a bit tiresome, as too much of his story revolved around trying too hard to prove to everyone that he was over Murphy while he clearly wasn’t over her. At least he finally got to a point where he acknowledged that he still cared about her but didn’t want to be romantically involved anymore.

4 Felix Bell

Practically everyone–even Felix’s own family–treated him like he was pathetic and worthless. He spent most of his life trying to prove to himself and to everyone else that he is worth something, even while facing new indignities. Through it all, he proved to be a good friend to Murphy and Jess.

One of the most important things about his relationship with Murphy is that he didn’t treat her differently because she was blind and he proved by the end of season 3 that while others will abandon her for good, he is the friend who will always come back and be there for her. Felix’s tendency to babble and go on bizarre tangents when he is nervous or uncomfortable also fits well with the show’s off-beat sense of humor, although the rants sometimes become a bit much.

3 Jess Damon

Jess provided positive LGBTQ representation and prior to the end of season 3, Jess was In The Dark’s most likable character. She was a compassionate, sweet, loyal, and patient friend and veterinarian. Jess treated both humans and animals with much-needed kindness and helped them as best she could. In particular, she went to extraordinary lengths to help Murphy and Felix.

Her decision to run away after the fire at the arcade in season 3 makes sense, but was still hurtful to her friends, especially to Murphy. It’s understandable that Jess would want a fresh start and to live life on her own terms given her dangerously co-dependent relationship with Murphy, her entire life being upended, and being forced to do things like murdering Nia in order to save Murphy. Nevertheless, letting Murphy and everyone else think she was dead or disappeared forever was a selfish decision. Jess let her friends–Murphy in particular–suffer and drive themselves crazy by trying to find her, all while Jess was happily building a new life.

2 Murphy Mason

Murphy is a complex protagonist who hasn’t always been likable. She has many self-destructive tendencies, has a habit of pushing away the people who love her the most, and uses emotional manipulation more than she should. Nevertheless, Murphy will go to the ends of the earth to help her friends and bring them the justice they deserve.

Her penchant for becoming fixated on things can irritate others, but it shows her dedication to solving a problem, learning the truth, and seeing a task through to its end. These efforts showed how Murphy is more perceptive and innovative than most people, which makes her admirable. Fans also can’t help but feel bad for her by the end of season 3 after losing so many friends, relationships, her freedom, and even her guide dog.

1 Darnell James

Darnell has arguably suffered and lost more than any other character in the show. The show began with his cousin Tyson being murdered. Jules–his girlfriend and the love of his life since high school–was also murdered. Both Tyson and Jules died at the hands of people working for Darnell’s sister Nia. Later on, Darnell had to grapple with Nia’s death. He thought he found love and a new relationship with Sarah, but Murphy and Trey destroyed that relationship for Darnell when they kidnapped Sarah in his apartment and took her hostage.

Despite all of this tragedy and hardship, Darnell has put his own life and reputation on the line numerous times to save or help Murphy and her friends. He recognizes that they are good people who have made costly mistakes and are in over their heads.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/netflix-in-the-dark-main-characters-ranked-by-likability/