There Goes My Antihero: How Wendy Byrde Broke Bad

Abstract

Despite the increase of male antiheroes in popular culture, the number of female antiheroes is sparse, particularly when female characters are romantically involved with male antiheroes. There are several reasons for this disparity, partially which can be explained by affective disposition theory. First, female characters are rarely given agency and adequate backstories. Second, in order for female characters to be antiheroes, they typically must challenge gender role stereotypes, especially as they pertain to motherhood. Finally, they are often treated poorly by other characters in the series. All of these reasons have a profound effect on how audiences perceive female characters and whether or not they will accept morally ambiguous behavior from them. In Netflix’s Ozark, however, Wendy Byrde is different. This paper explores Wendy’s partnership with her husband and how it is established early in the series, thus contributing to Wendy’s agency. Because of the agency she is afforded, Wendy successfully challenges gender role stereotypes and achieves antihero status.