Character Relationship Map: Barry

Characters

• Barry Berkman (played by Bill Hader) — protagonist

  A U.S. Marine and Afghanistan veteran from Cleveland, Barry works as a hitman while grappling with loneliness, depression, and wartime guilt. He travels to Los Angeles to assassinate a target but unex...

• Sally Reed (played by Sarah Goldberg) — protagonist

  An aspiring actress in Gene Cousineau's acting class. She is ambitious and career-focused, and becomes the object of Barry's romantic interest. Her own struggles and ambitions in Hollywood intersect w...

• Gene Cousineau (played by Henry Winkler) — supporting

  A self-absorbed acting teacher whose class Barry accidentally joins. He becomes Barry's mentor and a father-like figure, while also getting involved with Detective Janice Moss during the murder invest...

• Monroe Fuches (played by Stephen Root) — supporting

  Barry's manipulative handler and father figure who sends him on assassination jobs, including the Los Angeles hit. He exploits Barry's skills and loyalty, representing the criminal life Barry tries to...

• Detective Janice Moss (played by Paula Newsome) — supporting

  An LAPD detective investigating the murder Barry commits. She becomes romantically involved with Gene Cousineau, and her investigation increasingly threatens Barry's new life and secrets.

• Jim Moss (played by Robert Wisdom) — supporting

  The father of Detective Janice Moss and a retired intelligence/interrogation expert. He appears in later seasons, using intense psychological methods to uncover the truth about his daughter's death.

• Shane Taylor (played by Anthony Molinari) — cameo

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Jim Moss → Detective Janice Moss (Father and daughter) — Jim's actions are driven by his parental bond and by his determination to investigate what happened to Janice.

  "Jim is identified as Janice Moss's father and later uses interrogation methods to uncover the truth about her death."

• Gene Cousineau → Detective Janice Moss (Romantic partners) — Their romance links Gene's personal life to the investigation that endangers Barry.

  "Gene becomes romantically involved with Moss while her murder investigation develops."

• Barry Berkman → Gene Cousineau (Acting student and teacher) — Gene gives Barry access to acting and becomes a mentor-like influence as Barry searches for a different identity.

  "Barry accidentally joins Gene's acting class, while Gene encourages the class to channel grief into artistic expression."

• Barry Berkman → Sally Reed (Romantic interest) — Barry's desire for Sally is closely tied to his attempt to build an ordinary life through acting.

  "Barry joins Gene's acting class, becomes interested in Sally, comforts her after an audition goes badly, and tries to reset their relationship."

• Sally Reed → Gene Cousineau (Acting student and teacher) — Gene's class is the professional and social environment in which Sally pursues her acting ambitions.

  "Sally is an aspiring actress in Gene's acting class."

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Barry Berkman → Detective Janice Moss (Investigator and suspect) — Moss represents the law's pursuit of Barry and the exposure of his criminal identity.

  "Moss investigates the murder Barry committed, closes in on an arrest, and threatens Barry's new life and secrets."

• Barry Berkman → Monroe Fuches (Attempted separation) — Barry's wish to abandon crime directly conflicts with Fuches's continuing hold over him.

  "Barry finds that extricating himself from Fuches is more difficult than he expected."

• Barry Berkman → Shane Taylor (Temporary operational partners) — Taylor is a reckless acquaintance whose behavior makes Barry question the criminal partnership.

  "Barry is paired with Taylor during an assignment and later tries to distance himself from him."

Story Analysis

Identity and redemption

Plot Progression

1. The Hitman's Awakening — Barry, a conflicted hitman, travels to Los Angeles for a job and discovers a passion for acting that challenges his identity.
2. Double Life — Barry attempts to balance his criminal career with his newfound passion for acting, forming relationships while hiding his past.
3. Unraveling — Barry's past catches up with him as he faces moral dilemmas and must choose between his old life and his new passion.