7 best characters in Dead to Me season 2

Who are your favorite characters in Netflix’s Dead to Me?

Dead to Me season 2 may have been better than the first. Second seasons of shows can sometimes suffer from the sophomore slump.

Sometimes, Things are changed that don’t need a fix and characters are turned into shells of what they were.

Other times, the show itself is transformed all together. Thus becoming an entirely different show. This isn’t the case here. The characters and story improved. Dead to Me remained the show that we enjoyed. It did, however, improve, especially the characters.

We ranked the seven best characters in season 2! Take a look while you wait to find out if Dead to Me is renewed for season 3.

Best characters in Dead to Me season 2

7. Karen (Suzy Nakamura)

She may not have had a lot of screen time, but Karen was great regardless. Whenever she showed up, she was going to be entertaining and absolutely annoying, especially to Jen Harding.She shows up, says and does inappropriate things, and departs leaving a maddening aura.

Dead to Me is very much a dark comedy as much as it is a drama. Karen’s character added a somewhat wholesome vibe in a show that’s definitely not known for it. Her storyline isn’t one that’s crucial to the show, but it is necessary.

6. Michelle Gutierrez (Natalie Morales)

Michelle Gutierrez showed up in Dead to Me and immediately became a good character.

She was one of only two genuinely good adults on the show. A ray of sunshine throughout the series, especially when things got dark.

She smiled, was understanding of problems, and loving of everyone she came in contact with. When she found out that Judy Hale had prior experiences with her ex-girlfriend, Ana, she didn’t lash out. She was still civil. It’s not shocking that she was hurt more than anyone in this show. It’ll be interesting to see if she returns in season 3.

5. Ben Wood (James Marsden)

The first time we saw Ben Wood, it’s certain everyone watching thought or said, “wait, what?”

The reason given made sense, even if it was a very soap opera explanation. Thankfully, Ben was a welcomed addition to the show. Along with Michelle, he’s the other character that was actually a good person.

Considering the uncertainty of his brother being alive, he remained jovial and positive. Well, that was until the last 60 seconds of the season. After that, all bets are off. With everything he went through, this isn’t shocking. He’s definitely going to have a bigger role in the next season.

4. Charlie Harding (Sam McCarthy)

Charlie Harding was a better character this time around. Not only did he have a bigger role, but he was better at it as well. He may have been irritating at times, but that was part of what made him good.

Being a teenager is bad enough. He was also dealing with a mother who was irritable from keeping a major secret. As Dead to Me season 2 progressed, he became easier to tolerate because he started to learn from his mistakes. It was great seeing him get along with his mother in the last few episodes. When he embraces her in “Where Do We Go From Here,” it may have been the most heartwarming moment of the series.

3. Ana Perez (Diana-Maria Riva)

Ana Perez may have seemed intense in season 1, but it’s understandable. She’s a detective dealing with someone who she (rightfully) thought was a murderer. Ana had a job to do.

As season 2 progressed, we learn that she was also dealing with emotions from a prior relationship. To make things worse, she lived with her ex.

So who knows if she had to see someone she loved move on while she still harbored feelings. In the end, she made a tough decision, one that was completely unlike her normal personality. Adding to what was already a layered character.

2. Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini)

In season 2, Judy was just as good as she was in season 1. That may appear as a slight, but it isn’t. Sometimes you don’t need to improve.

Judy’s personality was the perfect counter to Jen Harding. Judy was very into energy, the Earth, and trying to please everyone. She came off as naive at times, but she eventually learned how to say no. Right on time too.

Judy almost made a decision that would have cost her a lot of time, money, and energy. With this newfound way of thinking, will this hurt her relationship with Jen or strengthen it?

1. Jen Harding (Christine Applegate)

There’s no question that Jen Harding is the best character on Dead to Me.

She showed an array of emotions throughout. Her best moment was when she finally went too far and almost broke Judy. Jen insulted Judy beyond anything we’ve seen.

Considering the things she’d already said to her, that says a lot.

Thankfully, she had the opportunity to make things right. The two embraced in the car and had an emotional moment. It was the first time Jen knew she was wrong. Even when she killed Steve Woods, she lied to justify what she did.

In the end, Jen was willing to give up her life and freedom to keep her kids safe and out of prison. She even admits that she hasn’t been the best mother or friend. Jen evolved more than anyone on Dead to Me.

Despite the evolution, Jen still curses like a sailor and says what’s on her mind. The difference is now she’s aware of how the things she says affects people, especially the ones closest to her.

What do you think? How would you rate the characters on this show? Let us know in the comments below.