Image via FX
11.
The characters in Atlanta are more complicated to rank than others. Outside of the main crew—Earn (Donald Glover), Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry), Van (Zazie Beetz), and Darius (LaKeith Stanfield)—one of the aspects that made the FX series so remarkable is the many personalities that have been introduced throughout the show’s four seasons. Some of the best people appeared once and were never heard from or talked about again. But that’s part of the show’s magic.
In its first three seasons, Atlanta tells a pretty straightforward story about Paper Boi’s rise in the music business and Earn’s experiences trying to prove himself to both his cousin Al and ex-girlfriend Vanessa. As the story progressed, viewers have gotten a more intimate perspective into the core four and what makes them the people they are today. Season 1 centered around Earn and his motivations as a man, Al has had a number of episodes in each season that dug deeper into his psyche, Van’s state of mind was a running thread in Season 3, and Darius is simply his worry-free self all throughout.
The main characters are incredibly complex in their own ways, and there is so much to unpack about each one of them, but the writers and creators have relied on the secondary characters to elevate their storytelling even further. And it has worked. The show’s supporting characters like Tracy and Clark County served their purpose as both necessary entertainment and symbolism. Others who were only featured in one episode in guest roles, like Black Justin Bieber and Uncle Willy, left a mark and became impactful moments in the series that are impossible to forget. The Glover-created series has provided a long list of standalone episodes throughout the first three seasons, like “Teddy Perkins,” that have featured some of the most compelling (Emmy-winning) characters we’ve seen on TV in recent years.
Now that the show has come to an end, we’ve seen the core four characters grow in their own, transformative ways. After four seasons of Atlanta, we have ranked the Top 10 most memorable and noteworthy characters on the show, arranged from worst to best. Take a look to see where your favorite has landed on our list.
10.Black Justin Bieber
Played by: Austin Crute
He knocked over lanyards, peed in a corner, gently gave a reporter a frontal mush, and yelled the n-word—with the HARD R—at somebody. Black Justin Bieber was the peril of mankind. “Nobody Beats the Biebs,” Atlanta’s fifth episode, satirized that period in time that found the real, white, Justin Bieber’s name constantly plastered all over tabloids thanks to one controversy after another. Suffice it to say, Black Justin Bieber was a real asshole. If this character wasn’t so hilarious, it’d be infuriating to watch how the world treats him, simply shrugging off his arrogance and obnoxiousness, almost to the point that they think it’s cute. Everyone but Paper Boi though, who scrapped with him during a charity basketball game. Black Justin Bieber was a real piece of work, but that’s what makes him so iconic. —H. Drew Blackburn
9.Clark County
Played by: RJ Walker
The people who you should watch out for the most are the ones who appear nice, positive, and affable but have a much darker side to them. The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde types. The wolves in sheep’s clothing types. The Clark County types.
When we’re first introduced to him, it’s easy to think he’s just a harmless rapper collecting checks partly due to his squeaky clean image and handsome looks. This is evidenced by the Yoo-hoo commercial he stars in, which it’s safe to assume played all the time in the Atlanta universe at the height of Clark County’s stardom. So much that it probably forced tons of Hulu subscribers to upgrade their memberships to the ad-free tier because no matter how catchy that little jingle is, it’s gotta get on your damn nerves at some point. Quickly though, we see a more duplicitous sinister side to him when he’s in the studio with Paper Boi and Darius. The nice guy isn’t so nice after all. It’s implied to us that Clark County told his muscle to beat the hell out of an engineer because of a software mishap that’s likely beyond his control. Cold-blooded. And we can’t forget when Earn put a gun in Clarke County’s bag at the airport, only for the gun to magically end up in his manager’s backpack. Again, cold-blooded.
Ever since Clark County appeared on our screens, there’s been speculation as to what rapper inspired his character. Chance the Rapper? Kyle? Donald Glover himself? One thing is for certain, Clark County wasn’t pulled out of thin air. That studio mishap? Well, that was based on a true story, which makes a ton of sense and lends to why the character feels so authentic. What makes Paper Boi’s character special is how Atlanta examines the real man Al’s inner demons and the loss of his mother. However, as far as satirization and explorations of the rap game, Clark County is a much more interesting window into the biz than the character we follow the majority of the time.
Some eagle-eyed fans caught a worn tribute sticker dedicated to Clark County in a shot from Season 3. So I wouldn’t expect to see him again, but hopefully, we’ll get an explanation for his passing, even though I wouldn’t be surprised if it was due to an act of revenge. —H. Drew Blackburn
8.Tracy
Played by: Khris Davis
Tracy, played by Khris Davis, was introduced during the premiere episode for Season 2 and stayed throughout the season. Tracy is Alfred’s friend who is crashing on his couch after recently getting out of jail—leaving Earn with no place to go. He seemingly pops out of nowhere at the end of “Alligator Man,” and quickly joins Al and Darius in clowning Earn. Tracy didn’t disturb the synergy that had blossomed between the initial trio in Season 1, but as the season progressed he was a constant reminder to Earn that maybe there wasn’t enough room for him in his cousin’s life and in his career as Paper Boi.
Earn took that out on Tracy, and the pair clashed so much that it ended in them coming to blows in “North of the Border,” which left both Earn’s face and ego sorely bruised. Tracy proved to be a hilarious addition to the show—the No Chase Policy scene in Episode 2 was one of the most comedic moments in all of Season 2—but in the end, Earn earned his spot, and when the group headed to Europe ahead of Season 3, Tracy was left behind. — Karla Rodriguez
7.Vanessa "Van" Keefer
Played by: Zazie Beetz
Van is Earn’s on-again-off-again girlfriend and the mother of their daughter Lottie. She starts off as being the one parent that seemingly has her life together, with a career and her own place who is also mostly responsible for the child’s care. At the end of Season 3, we see that the pressures of being a young mom, losing her job, and dating have completely broken her down. Van lost her job as a teacher for refusing to take a drug test after she smoked weed, and the guilt from that, as well as feeling like she is ill-equipped to be Lottie’s mother caused her to have a bit of a mental breakdown when she met up with Earn and the guys in Europe.
Her relationship with Earn is also unsteady and often disappointing, which makes her question herself, while also mourning the life that she could have been living (like her friends Candice and Jayde) had she not had a child. Van is complicated as a character, but you can’t help but feel empathy for her and the decisions she makes. — Karla Rodriguez
6.Bibby
Played by: Robert Powell III
All Paper Boi wanted was a simple haircut for a photo shoot, but Bibby decided to lead him on a wild adventure instead. With his hair partially buzzed, at that. It’s hard to point to a character in Atlanta that’s as funny as Bibby. Veteran stand-up comedian Robert S. Powell is largely to credit for that. The way that he plays this narcissistic man-child with 5,000 side hustles is pitch-perfect, especially considering he didn’t know he was the star of the episode and thought he was just an extra until the morning he arrived on set.
Each lie he tells is more confounding than the next. What makes it all the more frustrating is that under all that stupidity, he’s at least somewhat friendly. Sure, he commits a hit and run, steals lumber from some woman, lifts money out of his girlfriend’s purse, is a janky promoter, can’t seem to stay off his little Bluetooth earpiece, and quite obviously has a penchant for ducking his responsibilities. However, he did offer Al some old, unrefrigerated, half-eaten Zaxby’s as an olive branch. That’s gotta count for something, right? Yeah, you’re right. It doesn’t. Totally don’t blame Paper Boi for finding a new barber, at the same shop. The astonishment and twinge of pain on Bibby’s face when he sees Al hop in the chair across from him is well-earned. He deserves that for being a dutiful agent of chaos. —H. Drew Blackburn
5.Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles
Played by: Brian Tyree Henry
There’s a lot resting on Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles’ shoulders, and it’s evident, even when he tries his best to hide it. Throughout the series, Paper Boi carries the cross of being the one that everyone is relying on to succeed. Atlanta has documented the rapper’s come-up in the music game and as the seasons moved forward, so did his career. Al seems to be tormented by his rising fame, and although he has people around him who have his back, it feels like he’s lost internally and doesn’t really know who to trust. He is the one who is afflicted by the realities of the music industry the most, and through his character, the show explores a lot of the turmoil that happens behind the scenes in that world.
Aside from his rising fame, Al also deals with the loss of his mother that took place before the show began, and it’s a theme that the character seems to harp on a return to at different points throughout the series (like in “New Jazz,” where a special cookie sends him on an adventure in Amsterdam where he is forced to face his fears and insecurities alongside a woman named Lorraine, who shares his mother’s name.) Earn, Darius, and Tracy are on his team throughout the series, but he doesn’t really have much of a strong and open connection with anyone else, or even them for that matter. They all benefit from being in his life, but who can he lean on in the midst of all his success and all his pain? As the old saying goes, it’s lonely at the top, and Al knows that better than anyone. —Karla Rodriguez
4.Earn "Earnest" Marks
Played by: Donald Glover
Earn mostly functions as Atlanta’s straight man. When the show adheres to a more linear structure, his journey is what propels the story. Watching Earn claw his way out of being a houseless Ivy League dropout into a success isn’t bad television. However, when Atlanta leans into its smartest instincts and focuses elsewhere, Earn’s goals, little side missions, and battles often get thrown to the wayside. So, what can we make of Earn?
For one thing, existing as Atlanta’s straight man is a helluva lot better than being that on a lesser show. While he isn’t as compelling of a character as those around him, something is bubbling underneath the surface. Earn’s got a Donald Draper thing going on—this sad, brooding, melancholy figure whose morality wades in ambiguity. Maybe one day, we’ll figure out what the hell is wrong with him.
Earn is loyal to those he loves and does whatever he needs to do in order to survive, almost to a fault. He’s a good father, and even if he has a propensity to be a very shitty partner to Van, he sincerely cares for her and will always love her. But, remember what he did to Clark County? Throwing ̶C̶h̶e̶c̶k̶h̶o̶v̶’̶s̶ Uncle Willie’s golden gun into that dude’s backpack at the airport is dirty work. But, you know, you gotta do what you gotta do. Crabs in a barrel and all that. —H. Drew Blackburn
(Ed note: The final season showed Earn in a new light. He started therapy, found the success he so desperately desired, and finally got the balls to make things stable between him and Van by expressing his love for her. Viewers got to see a new side of him and an explanation for why he was the way he was at the start of the show. All we can say is we are proud of the growth so he has moved on up in this ranking.)
3.Uncle Willy
Played by: Katt Williams
When Katt Williams made his cameo on Atlanta’s Season 2 premiere, he wasn’t much of a hot commodity in Hollywood, and everything he was getting press for was baaaaad. He was getting into fights with children! Under no circumstances is that a good look. The best thing for him would be the role of the century. Something so good he’d get an Emmy for it. Enter Uncle Willy.
Earn’s uncle, Willy, is a mess. In the “Alligator Man” episode, Earn meets up with him with Darius in tow, and Willy is in the middle of a domestic dispute. His girlfriend, Yvonne, is locked in a bedroom because Willy suspects she’s stolen $50 from him. Uncle Willy and Yvonne bicker and hurl insults at one another—Earn throws in some venom toward Willy, too, saying he fears that he’ll end up just like him: an asshole too smart for his own good, who couldn’t help but let his bad attitude ruin his life.
The Uncle Willy character comes across as a meta-reference to Williams’ myriad controversial moments in the public eye—a talented man with a propensity for conflict who let something else get in the way of achieving his potential. In just the span of 30 minutes, Williams’ portrayal of Uncle Willy became one of the most unique guest stars not only in Atlanta but in television history. He’s a gold pistol-toting hothead with a pet alligator that has its own room. Would you want to chill with Uncle Willy? Seems like a double-edged sword. He is, after all, a wise man. The advice he gives Earn—“If you don’t wanna end up like me, get rid of that chip on your shoulder shit,”—is sage. But then again, he’s also absolutely bonkers. —H. Drew Blackburn
2.Darius
Played by: LaKeith Stanfield
Darius is hands down my favorite character on television right now. His calming presence in Atlanta is sometimes exactly what the show needs, especially during its most chaotic moments. Darius is one of the most fascinating, bizarre, and captivating characters on the show, and the writers have gifted him with some of the best one-liners in the entire series.
The character is Paper Boi’s right-hand man, and the pair live together in an apartment in Atlanta. It’s not always clear what his exact role is, aside from providing good vibes to the whole crew and being the heart of the show. Darius has an interesting mind and nothing but good intentions. He can be so oblivious in the best ways at times, and yet so self-aware when placed in the awkward situations he has found himself in. But no matter what is happening around him, he’s always very much in his own world and completely unbothered. He also loves a good conspiracy theory, even telling Uncle Willy: “I would say nice to meet you, but I don’t believe in time as a concept, so I’ll just say we always met.”
LaKeith Stanfield has made the most out of this role and he has stolen the show any time he has been on the screen in the past three seasons (and continues to do so in the first three episodes of Season 4 critics were sent ahead of the premiere). The actor has since gone on to deliver strong performances in other projects like The Harder They Fall, Sorry to Bother You, and Judas and the Black Messiah (which got him an Oscar nomination!), but what he has done with Darius will live on and always be the highlight of his career for me. Darius is by far one of the most unique and hilarious supporting characters on TV, and it was an obvious choice to have him this high up on the list. He will be sorely missed once the show comes to an end. —Karla Rodriguez
1.Theodore “Teddy” Perkins
Played by: Donald Glover
One thing Atlanta has come to be known for is its big swings, and the character of Teddy Perkins is perhaps its biggest, most gargantuan swing of all. Perkins, introduced because Darius ends up at his house in response to some Craigslist-type ad for a piano, was a creepy, unsettling man obsessed with his gigantic mansion, which he planned to turn into a museum. His unsightliness, bizarre qualities, and wicked nature were so intense that he made Darius, of all people, come back down to Earth and snap out of his fog of whimsy. If you make Darius act normal, then you’re unquestionably one fucked up individual.
To make matters even weirder, Teddy Perkins was played by an uncredited Donald Glover, who apparently told nobody on set who he was, and stayed in character the entire time. LaKeith Stanfield claims that even he had no clue who that man was behind that layer of prosthetics and chalky makeup.
Perkins was subject to abuse—his father tormented him and his brother Benny under the guise of turning them both into musical prodigies. This worked, but their father didn’t merely guide them to success, he gave his kids permanent psychological damage, and this is surely the genesis of what makes Teddy and Benny ultimately turn on one another, with Teddy attempting to murder Benny and Benny ultimately shooting Teddy in the abdomen, before turning the shotgun on himself in a gruesome murder-suicide.
It’s easy to look at Teddy Perkins and draw similarities between him and the tragic life of Michael Jackson, which is gestured at by his ornate home, porcelain skin, abusive father, and his spooky falsetto speaking voice. It couldn’t be obvious enough. However, this character cannot be reduced to just “What if Michael Jackson was the villain in a David Cronenberg film?” Perkins is an eerie representation of how fame and show business can destroy you and how abuse begets abuse. He’s also a warning to us all—be cautious of who you try to buy stuff from on Craigslist. —H. Drew Blackburn