From Allston Wheatley to Harry Beltik, here are the main characters of The Queen's Gambit (ranked by likability).
The Queen's Gambit is the latest and greatest Netflix offering. Following a chess prodigy, as she tramples the competition and grows increasingly reckless in her behavior, the drama earned widespread acclaim for its story, photography, editing, and acting.
A show - no matter how good the production values - lives and dies by its characters. Even the most intriguing mystery in the world couldn't keep an audience invested if it was filled with unmemorable and boring characters. Luckily, The Queen's Gambit contains a host of great, well-rounded, and complex characters - some of whom are more likable than others.
10 Allston Wheatley
By far the most unlikeable character throughout The Queen's Gambit is Allston Wheatley, Beth's adoptive father. There are little, if any, redeeming qualities to him. He doesn't want to adopt Beth (he only does so, begrudgingly, to save his failing marriage), and he abandons both her and Alma quickly after adoption.
He doesn't care when Alma dies, forcing Beth to deal with the death, the house, and the funeral arrangements. Finally, he tries kicking Beth out of the house before she buys it from him. He deserves a punch to the face.
9 Mr. Shaibel
Mr. Shaibel plays a very important role in Beth Harmon's life and is played by the always great Bill Camp. Serving as the janitor and Beth's somewhat father figure, he teaches chess to Beth, gives her money to play in the state championship, and later inspires her (through his touching collage) to return to the game after her breakdown.
But he's not a super likable man. He's very cold and distant to Beth, offering little in the way of warmth or outward friendliness. He's clearly proud of her and isn't afraid to tell her as much. But still, he could have at least given her a handshake or something...
8 Vasily Borgov
Unfortunately, the show doesn't go into detail regarding Vasily Borgov - aside from the fact that he's an unbeatable chess machine. Throughout much of the series, Borgov is portrayed as Beth's inhuman antagonist, and viewers respond as such.
However, the climactic game shows a different, and rather, surprising side of his character. He treats Beth with respect, and he shows great sportsmanship after his defeat. Being defeated by Beth doesn't enrage or upset him - if anything, he shows a great amount of pride in her work. And that is truly commendable.
7 Beth Harmon
Beth Harmon, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, is a very complex protagonist. In many ways, she is very likable. Her underdog status allows audiences to cheer for her, and many aspects of her life elicit sympathy. With that said, she is certainly not without flaws.
She's very reserved, which makes her come across as quite robotic and cold. She is also very distant to many people, and her ego is a problem - in fact, it's what drives away Harry Beltik. Even when she does feel a personal connection, she can't talk about anything but chess. She makes for a great main character, but not a super charismatic one.
6 Alma Wheatley
Alma Wheatley is another character who elicits a large amount of sympathy. Her life is in complete shambles, and she adopted Beth as a last-ditch effort to save her relationship. In many ways, Alma is a likable character. She tries forging a personal connection with Beth, she proves maternal, and she encourages Beth's pursuits (even if it is for money).
However, her drinking is a big problem (it eventually leads to her death), and she too can act very distant and unapproachable - like when she's been drinking.
5 Benny Watts
In the end, Benny Watts was a good guy. Benny eventually acts as Beth's mentor, teaching her chess while she stays at his dingy New York apartment and eventually helping her in the final game with Borgov. He also has charisma to spare, complete with the cool hair and cowboy schtick.
However, early Benny proves a little unlikable. He can be quite egotistical and patronizing, and it takes a while for him to treat Beth with the respect she deserves due to his ego and perceived intelligence.
4 Matt & Mike
Matt and Mike don't have a whole lot to do, but the screen time they do get proves very entertaining. The twins are mostly played for laughs - especially during the Kentucky State Championship, where they show total bewilderment at Beth's complete lack of professional experience and total domination of the game.
When Beth strikes it big, they continuously show up at her matches to lend their support. They're friendly, they're supportive, and they're helpful. Matt and Mike are good men.
3 Townes
Townes proves charismatic enough to melt even Beth's cold, emotionless heart. Beth meets Townes at the Kentucky State Championship - and promptly annihilates him before moving on to Beltik.
He then shows up throughout the story as a photojournalist working the chess circuit - and also Beth's prospective love interest. Townes is a good man, and he too shows encouragement towards (not to mention some electric chemistry with) Beth - especially during the climactic sequence in Russia.
2 Jolene
Just when Beth is at her nadir, in comes Jolene to save the day. Jolene proves friendly in the girl's home and even encourages Beth's pursuit of chess by providing her with the necessary drugs.
Now that is not something to be commended, but it makes her character more likable from a story perspective, as she provides the protagonist with what she needs. She also proves very friendly, encouraging, and ultimately helpful in the final episode, providing Beth with the necessary cash to play in Russia.
1 Harry Beltik
And lastly, there's the sweet and innocent Harry Beltik. Harry proves a little unlikeable at first, as he doesn't treat Beth with respect, arrives late, and loudly yawns while they're playing. But he shows respect for Beth's play upon his defeat by clapping and smiling in acknowledgment.
After that, Harry is nothing but a sweetheart. He's adorably awkward, and he even gets his teeth fixed for Beth. He also sticks by Beth, providing her with the necessary help and encouragement - even after Beth drove him away with her egotistical and drug-fueled behavior. It also helps that Harry Melling and Anya Taylor-Joy shared a very special connection offscreen!
NEXT: The Queen’s Gambit: Where Else You’ve Seen The Cast
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