The most likable characters in Wednesday, ranked

Most of the Addams clan gets relegated to the background on Wednesday with two exceptions: the eponymous character and Thing, the sentient, disembodied hand who acts as her main ally. Thing is Wednesday’s constant companion throughout the show, acting as her confidant, lackey, and the closest thing she has to family in Nevermore.

It’s a genuinely impressive feat that the show succeeded in making a disembodied hand such a likable character. Thing even steals some scenes from under Wednesday’s nose thanks to his anxious yet supportive personality — yes, he has a personality. Thing’s origins remain as secretive as the Addams themselves, but that only increases his appeal. He doesn’t even need words to become a prominent part of the action; in the end, he still manages to grab the audience’s heart.

An outcast, even among the outcasts, Eugene might be Wednesday‘s most relatable character. He forms a close and tender bond with Wednesday, acting as one of the few characters who feel genuinely at ease around her chilling behavior. Wednesday also develops a soft spot for him, mainly because the show portrays her as a defender of the weak.

Eugene is the show’s best male character. Unlike Wednesday’s two romantic interests, who become somewhat tiresome by the final episode, Eugene remains fun, funny, and sympathetic, a character audiences can’t help but root for and rally behind. Eugene is one of Wednesday‘s secret weapons, a character not many expected much of who ends up becoming a crucial part of the action and a vital ally of the main character.

Enid, Wednesday’s best friend and roommate, is one of the show’s breakout characters. The ray of sunshine to Wednesday’s stormy cloud, Enid is all smiles and laughs until you cross her. Still, she proves herself a staunchly loyal friend, even when the famously solitary Wednesday does everything to push her away.

Played by promising newcomer Emma Myers, Enid is one of the show’s most instantly likable characters. Her shamelessly cheery attitude could get tiresome quickly, but the show understands how to best utilize her, and Myers never goes overboard with the can-do attitude. Enid is the perfect foil to Wednesday’s creepy antics, and the show is at its best when showcasing the unexpected friendship that blossoms between them.

Academy Award winner Catherine Zeta-Jones and the ever-underrated Luis Guzmán step into the iconic roles of Morticia and Gomez Addams on Wednesday. Although their interventions are minimal — they only appear in two episodes, which is absurd, if you ask me — the veteran actors leave an indelible mark on the show.

Morticia and Gomez are less creepy than Wednesday, but their quirks are still apparent to anyone with working eyes. Zeta-Jones plays Morticia less like a vamp and more like an aloof socialite, an intriguing take on a character that has proven surprisingly flexible. For his part, Guzmán is having the time of his life as the easygoing Gomez, a loving father and shameless pushover for his wife. The result is a sweet take on one of pop culture’s best couples, even if they tone down the Addams’ notoriously horny dynamic.

Although the character could easily come across as a one-note antagonist, Christie does a brilliant job of portraying Weems’ nuances. The character is neither straight-up good nor decidedly bad; instead, she’s a somewhat self-serving but still sympathetic authority figure who, despite appearances, wants the best for the children at her school. Weems meets a grim fate at the show’s end, and it’s a shame that Christie won’t come back for future seasons. However, Christie’s performance is one of season 1’s highlights and the perfect proof that she’s one of the most charismatic actors in the business.

You can stream Wednesday season 1 on Netflix.