Ozark: Ranking Every Main Character Worst To Best
3. Marty Byrde
If you needed convincing of Jason Bateman's insane versatility then look no further than his work on Ozark. Marty Byrde is the star of the show and was laundering money for the Navarro drug cartel for a long time before he had to move to the Ozarks to pay off the debt he owed them thanks to his partner's betrayal.
Marty is a man in constant stress, one thing goes right but then two things go wrong. He is always embroiled in some sort of conflict whether it be with the cartel, the Snells, the Langmores or the FBI. He has to balance all of this while also attempting to be at least a semi-present husband and father.
Bateman has fantastic chemistry with Laura Linney and Julia Garner and his character is the connecting thread to every storyline on the show. The tension of the show often surrounds choices Marty has to make which makes him a compelling protagonist.
The only reason he isn't higher up is Marty often keeps others at arms length and will attempt to subdue his emotions whenever possible. Regardless, it is some of Bateman's best work he's ever done.