The third season of Ozark, released on March 27, 2020, marked a major turn for the Byrde family’s story. This season introduced new characters who became central to the plot, including a cartel lawyer, a troubled family member, and an unyielding FBI agent. The performances by both the original cast and new additions were widely praised, earning the show several Emmy Awards. Here is a full guide to the actors and characters who defined the most intense chapter of the Netflix series.
Returning Core Cast: The Byrde Family and Ruth Langmore
The foundation of Ozark‘s third season was its established cast, who continued to deliver powerful performances as their characters faced greater pressure and moral conflict.
Jason Bateman returned as Marty Byrde, the financial advisor turned money launderer. In Season 3, Marty manages the new riverboat casino for the Navarro cartel while trying to control the growing ambitions of his wife, Wendy. Bateman, who is also an executive producer and director on the series, won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 2020.
Laura Linney played Wendy Byrde, whose political skills make her indispensable to the cartel’s expansion into legitimate businesses. Her character’s drive for power and status creates significant tension within her marriage to Marty. Linney is an Oscar-nominated actress known for roles in The Big C and Love Actually.
The Byrde children, played by Sofia Hublitz (Charlotte) and Skylar Gaertner (Jonah), also saw their roles evolve. Charlotte works for the family’s company, while Jonah finds a kindred spirit in his troubled uncle. Gaertner previously played a young Matt Murdock in Marvel’s Daredevil.
Julia Garner reprised her Emmy-winning role as Ruth Langmore, the sharp and fiercely loyal local who manages the Byrdes’ casino operations. Garner’s portrayal of Ruth, with her distinctive accent and complex emotions, earned her a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the show’s second and third seasons.
Key New Additions to the Ozark Universe
Season 3 introduced several new faces who dramatically shifted the story’s dynamics and raised the stakes for the Byrde family.
Janet McTeer joined the cast as Helen Pierce, a sophisticated and ruthless Chicago lawyer who represents the Navarro cartel. Helen relocates to the Ozarks to oversee the Byrdes’ operation directly, creating an uneasy alliance. McTeer, an award-winning English actress, is known for her roles in Jessica Jones and Albert Nobbs.
The season’s most emotionally charged performance came from Tom Pelphrey as Ben Davis, Wendy’s brother. Ben, who struggles with bipolar disorder, arrives for a visit and his instability becomes a major threat to the family’s safety. Pelphrey’s portrayal was critically acclaimed. He is also recognized for playing Ward Meachum in Marvel’s Iron Fist.
Jessica Frances Dukes appeared as Maya Miller, a sharp FBI forensic accountant assigned to audit the Byrdes’ new casino. Unlike previous agents driven by personal vendettas, Miller is a methodical professional who poses a unique threat by following the money.
Supporting Cast and Recurring Threats
The world of the Ozarks expanded in Season 3 with a mix of returning fan-favorites and new adversaries.
- Lisa Emery as Darlene Snell: Following the death of her husband, Darlene continues to be a volatile and independent force, reigniting her heroin business and raising her adopted baby, Zeke.
- Charlie Tahan as Wyatt Langmore: Ruth’s intellectually gifted cousin is estranged from her and tries to build his own life away from the family’s criminal dealings.
- Joseph Sikora as Frank Cosgrove Jr.: The hot-headed son of a Kansas City mob boss becomes a major problem for Ruth at the casino. Sikora is famous for his role as Tommy Egan in the series Power.
- Felix Solis as Omar Navarro: The leader of the Mexican drug cartel becomes a more present figure in Season 3, caught in a war with a rival cartel.
- Madison Thompson as Erin Pierce: Helen’s rebellious teenage daughter spends the summer in the Ozarks, adding another layer of complication to her mother’s life.
Where to Watch Ozark Season 3
All episodes of Ozark Season 3, along with the entire series, are available to stream exclusively on Netflix. The season consists of 10 episodes.
The complete series of Ozark is also available for streaming on Netflix. It ran for four seasons from 2017 to 2022, concluding with a final season split into two parts.
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