Ranking All Main Characters From Boardwalk Empire

If there was one legitimate criticism to make with Boardwalk Empire - the show did struggle to find many compelling or diverse female characters to work with. As the put-upon wife of Jimmy Darmody, Angela's role as the bewildered housewife fit the story of the show well, albeit threw away a character with potential.

As Jimmy's bohemian, artistic wife, the series presented the character as someone audiences could relate to at times when crime was discussed so casually. In the company of characters like Gillian, it was Angela who questioned and opposed the obscure behaviours of her husband. Angela as a character could have had stories that went in further and more exciting directions, especially when the first season offered a plot narrative around female independence.

Angela was always a hairsbreadth away from being an interesting character - her bisexual infidelity, her pseudo-sibling relationship with Richard Harrow, or her rising rivalry with Gillian were all foundations for a decent story arc, but in the end only these devices only ever served the male characters around her.

In the end, Angela was "fridged" as her murder at the hands of Manny Horvitz was a tragedy barely taken in by the other characters. Even when Harrow blows Manny's head away, viewers are convinced it was to avenge Jimmy. But thankfully the show did have some courtesy and reveal Harrow was avenging Angela. There was some justice there at least.