Wendy Byrde. That name alone strikes fear into the hearts of men, women, and children. The modern version of a mob boss’ wife on Netflix’s drug cartel money-laundering drama Ozark is stern, serious, and allergic to bullshit. But is the tough-as-nails character (played to perfection by Laura Linney) a Karen?
We took a deep dive into the inner workings of Mrs. Byrde and pitted her traits to those of the stereotypical Karen to see if she truly fits America’s most-hated female archetype. Scroll on and see if you agree with our analysis of this stone-cold matriarch.
Cover Photo: Netflix
wendy byrde
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Yes: She’s middle-aged.
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Yes: She’s white.
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Yes: She’s constantly annoyed.
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Yes: She loves her wine.
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No: She does not have the Karen haircut.
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No: She’s smart.
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No: She’s demanding, but not entitled.
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No: She can contain her rage when restraint is called for.
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No: She’s not petty.
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Overall: No, she's not a Karen.
Wendy Byrde is simmering over with anger, but not without reason. At the end of the day, she simply wants what’s best for her family and is trying to keep everyone alive, if not well. While she does lose her shit from time to time, and rarely seems happy, she isn’t the type to complain over the small things or call attention to herself by asking to speak to the manager. She’s an intimidating badass who can kill with kindness or cleverly manipulate any situation to her advantage. Wendy is so much more than a Karen could ever be, and for that reason, we salute her.
