The Enigmatic Characters Unveiled: A Comprehensive Guide to Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher'

The Fall of the House of Usher not only included the original short story that inspired the series, but also integrated various other pieces of literature by Edgar Allan Poe.

Premiering on Netflix in October 2023, this gothic drama introduces the narrative of Roderick Usher (played by Bruce Greenwood), a corrupt CEO confronted with his troubling history as his children meet gruesome and unexplained deaths at the hands of Verna (portrayed by Carla Gugino).

Poe's Fall of the House of Usher delved into Roderick's spiral into insanity following the death of his twin sister, Madeline Usher. Both Roderick and the narrator entomb Madeline, but she unexpectedly returns to claim her brother's life.

Within the show, Madeline's religious beliefs were originally influenced by her mother, Eliza (portrayed by Annabeth Gish), whose name pays homage to Poe's own mother. Creator Mike Flanagan also incorporated elements from Poe's life as hidden references in The Fall of the House of Usher.

Rufus Wilmot Griswold, portrayed by Michael Trucco, used to be Roderick's employer at Fortunata Pharmaceuticals. He betrayed Roderick by leaving him for dead and seizing control of the company. Interestingly, Griswold had a genuine antagonistic relationship with Poe, spanning their professional lives.

On the other hand, Mr. Longfellow, a poet and educator, faced accusations of plagiarism by Poe. In the show, Robert Longstreet portrayed Eliza's superior and the neglectful father of her children, whom he never acknowledged.

Below you will find a guide on how each character in The Fall of the House of Usher is connected to Poe's literary work:

Credit: Eike Schroter/Netflix

A Complete Guide to Every Edgar Allan Poe Character Featured on 'The Fall of the House of Usher'

The Fall of the House of Usher not only incorporated the short story that inspired the show — but numerous other works from Edgar Allan Poe as well.

The gothic drama, which premiered on Netflix in October 2023, follows the tale of Roderick Usher (played by Bruce Greenwood), a corrupt CEO confronted with his dark past. As his children meet gruesome and mysterious deaths at the hands of Verna (portrayed by Carla Gugino), Roderick is forced to face the consequences.

Poe's Fall of the House of Usher delves into Roderick's descent into madness following the death of his twin sister, Madeline Usher. Roderick, along with the narrator, inter her in a tomb, only for Madeline to briefly return and take her brother's life as well.

In the show, Madeline's belief in fate was first attributed to Eliza, the mother of both Madeline and Roderick. Eliza's name was chosen as a tribute to Poe's own mother. Creator Mike Flanagan also cleverly incorporated references to Poe's life through his use of The Fall of the House of Usher.

Roderick's superior at Fortunata Pharmaceuticals, Rufus Wilmot Griswold, betrayed him by leaving him for dead and seizing control of the company. Interestingly, Griswold was an actual historical figure who had a longstanding rivalry with Poe throughout their respective careers.

Mr. Longfellow, on the other hand, was both a poet and educator, and Poe accused him of plagiarism. In the television show, Eliza's boss and the father of her children, portrayed by Robert Longstreet, was a character who never acknowledged his relationship with them.

Nicholas Lea portrayed John Neal in the miniseries, where he served as a judge in the Usher family's trial. Throughout the series, his decisions often favored the fictional family. Interestingly, in reality, John Neal was a critic who played a significant role in Poe's life. He not only helped Poe discover his talent but also motivated him to abandon poetry and focus on writing short stories.

Scroll down for a guide to how each character on The Fall of the House of Usher connects to Poe's work:

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Verna (‘The Raven’)

In the narrative poem, a raven with the ability to speak emerged, but it could only utter the word "Nevermore." During a conversation with the narrator, the raven was seen as a prophetic figure and stubbornly remained perched on the bust of Pallas.

Gugino portrayed a enigmatic woman in The Fall of the House of Usher, who made a pact with the Usher family in the 1980s. She assured them that their involvement in Griswold's murder would remain a secret and that they would achieve unparalleled success. In exchange, the Usher family's lineage would come to an end with them.

Roderick and Madeline accepted the offer, and when their lives were nearing its end, Verna arrived to claim what was promised. She frequently manifested as a raven, using it as a ominous sign to caution Roderick and Madeline. Subsequently, it was disclosed that she had made similar agreements with numerous politicians and prominent figures throughout history.

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Roderick Usher and Madeline Usher (‘The Fall of the House of Usher’)

Poe’s narrative revolves around an unnamed narrator who responds to a letter summoning him to his friend Roderick's residence. The narrator witnesses the death and subsequent entombment of Roderick's sister, who later miraculously returns to life. Following this event, Roderick's mental state deteriorates, leading the narrator to narrowly escape the Usher household before the untimely deaths of both siblings. Ultimately, the Usher mansion splits into two fragments before sinking into the depths of the lake.

The storyline predominantly maintains its essence as Roderick invites another individual to his residence, post the alleged demise of Madeline. He recounts his life story to Auguste Dupin, a police officer, who then witnesses Madeline's killing of Roderick, immediately preceding her own demise. Upon leaving the premises, Dupin witnesses the crumbling of the Usher house before his very eyes.

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C. Auguste Dupin (‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’)

In the narrative of the Fall of the House of Usher, the attorney, portrayed by Carl Lumbly, assumed the role of the narrator. Auggie sought out Roderick in order to obtain his confession, thus initiating the eight-episode long series. Auggie uncovered the complete truth behind the agreement that the Ushers had made to ensure their future, and ultimately witnessed the tragic demise of both Roderick and Madeline in their childhood home.

In Poe’s version, however, Auggie was a detective in several stories. His talents included an apparent ability to read his companion’s mind. 

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Frederick Usher (‘Metzengerstein: A Tale in Imitation of the German’)

The content:

The short story highlighted Frederick as the last descendant of his family, destined to inherit their fortune. However, his newfound wealth and power transformed him into a cruel version of himself, ultimately leading to an addiction to horseback riding. In a tragic turn of events, Frederick's demise is ultimately caused by the very animal he relied on, as he is thrown into a fire, thus marking the end of his family's lineage.

In Netflix's adaptation, Frederick (played by Henry Thomas) is portrayed as the eldest sibling in the Usher family. His behavior takes a turn for the worse when he discovers that his wife Morelle has lied about attending an orgy hosted by his younger brother Perry. This revelation drives Frederick to turn to drugs, unleashing his anger on Morelle. His horrific decision to forcefully remove her teeth while she recovers from severe burns seals his gruesome fate, as Verna alters his death to be more brutal and terrifying.

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Tamerlane Usher (‘Tamerlane’)

In Poe’s poem, Tamerlane ignored love because he was focused on achieving power instead. Tamerlane came to regret the choice on his deathbed. 

The Fall of the House of Usher expertly conveyed its theme by depicting Tamerlane (played by Samantha Sloyan) completely consumed by her personal troubles as her marriage crumbled away. In her final moments, Tamerlane desperately tried to make amends for her past mistakes, but her fate had already been sealed. Ultimately, Tamerlane met a tragic demise, tumbling onto shards of broken glass after experiencing a hallucination-induced confrontation with Verna within the confines of her own home.

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Victorine LaFourcade (‘The Premature Burial’)

The horror short story revolves around a character haunted by the fear of being buried alive. The narrator's catalepsy, a condition causing death-like trances, intensifies this phobia.

In the Netflix series, numerous instances of people being buried alive occur, with Victorine's (played by T'Nia Miller) predicament drawing significant inspiration from "The Tell-Tale Heart." Following a heated argument with her girlfriend, Dr. Alessandra "Al" Ruiz, Victorine unintentionally kills her and forgets about it for several days. Desperate to reach out to her girlfriend, Victorine is tormented by a persistent ringing sound.

Eventually, it is disclosed that Victorine concealed her girlfriend's disfigured corpse within her residence while also connecting the medical apparatus she had been developing to Alessandra's heart. Following this horrifying revelation, Victorine tragically took her own life in the presence of her father.

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Napoleon Usher (‘The Spectacles’)

Poe's story about Napoleon revolved around vanity and miscommunication, where the protagonist almost ended up marrying an elderly woman simply because he refused to wear glasses. In contrast, The Fall of the House of Usher used The Black Cat tale as a template for Leo's downfall. When Leo discovered his boyfriend Julius' black cat brutally killed, he automatically assumed responsibility. In an attempt to conceal his mistake, Leo adopted another black cat, but this new companion tormented him by leaving dead mice as grim presents.

Despite his efforts to get rid of the second cat, Leo failed miserably. As his siblings' deaths weighed heavily on him, Leo succumbed to drug-induced haze, causing his sanity to unravel. Ultimately, he tragically leapt off his balcony while trying to capture the cat. Later, it becomes apparent to viewers that most of Leo's experiences were mere hallucinations.

Leo’s boyfriend Julius, on the other hand, took his name from The Journal of Julius Rodman, an unfinished novel by Poe that recounts the first successful journey made by a civilized man through the Rocky Mountains of North America.

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Camille L'Espanaye (‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’)

In Poe's tale, Camille (and her mother) met their unfortunate end when they were killed by an orangutan. Camille was strangled to death and then placed upside down in a chimney after the animal became uncontrollably enraged.

Camille's tragic fate in The Fall of the House of Usher, as portrayed by Kate Siegel, remained predominantly unchanged.

After suspecting that her sister Victorine was involved in some unethical activities regarding the animal trials for her medical device, Camille took matters into her own hands. Ignoring Verna's cautionary words, she decided to investigate the experiments herself by visiting the facility late at night. Tragically, Camille's disregard for the warning resulted in a heart-wrenching fate, as she was mercilessly attacked and killed.

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Prospero Usher (‘The Masque of the Red Death’)

Poe's adaptation centered around Prince Prospero's efforts to evade the plague by organizing a masquerade ball at his abbey. Following a confrontation with an unknown individual at the event, Prospero and his attendees perished.

Similarly, in The Fall of the House of Usher, Perry (Sauriyan Sapkota) hosted a party that Verna joined. They engaged in a discussion before Perry and his guests met their demise in a fiery conflagration.

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Annabel Lee (‘Annabel Lee’)

The final poem by Poe tells the story of the narrator's profound love for Annabel Lee, a love that transcended death. Even in her absence, the narrator persistently dreamed of Annabel and would rest beside her in her seaside tomb.

In the miniseries, Roderick is married to Annabel (Katie Parker) and is often seen reciting the famous poem to her. However, their marital bond gradually deteriorated due to Roderick's overwhelming ambition, leading to harm inflicted upon those around him. Astonishingly, Roderick confessed to Auggie how he manipulated their children by enticing them with his wealth, so they would favor him over Annabel. This heartbreaking act shattered her completely. Moreover, as Roderick approached the end of his life, he started to have hallucinations of Annabel.

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Arthur Pym (‘The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket’)

Poe introduced Mark Hamill as Pym, a traveler who had witnessed unimaginable events during his journey. The TV series suggested Pym's backstory by portraying him as a member of the Transglobe Expedition. Despite Roderick's inability to extract the complete account of Pym's overseas experiences, Verna verified that the travel group had endured harrowing ordeals.

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William ‘Bill-T’ Wilson (‘William Wilson’)

In the Netflix adaptation, Bill (portrayed by Matt Biedel) played the role of Tamerlane's husband, always living in her shadow. Despite his efforts to reason with Tamerlane before her untimely demise, he faced disappointment.

In William Wilson, on the other hand, the protagonist endeavored not to appear as an ordinary individual. This aspect appeared to mirror Bill's sentiments when juxtaposed with Tamerlane's accomplishments. Furthermore, the narrative revolved around William's duality, exemplified by the apparition of Verna that lingered in Tamerlane's life before her tragic demise.

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Morelle Usher (‘Morella’)

Poe’s gothic narrative revolved around a woman who perished during childbirth, only to be reincarnated within her daughter's physical form. In the television series, Morelle (portrayed by Crystal Balint) underwent a personal metamorphosis when she suffered severe burns during Perry's scandalous gathering. As a consequence of her dishonesty, Morelle's husband, Frederick, cruelly denied her proper care, drugged her, and even forcibly extracted her teeth.

However, Lenore bravely rescued her mother from this nightmarish ordeal. Following her daughter's demise, Morelle devoted herself to establishing a charitable organization named after Lenore, aimed at assisting those in need.

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Lenore Usher (‘The Raven’)

Kyleigh Curran, the only grandchild of Roderick and a beloved member of the Usher family, consistently shines as "the best" in the series. Her actions are guided by a strong sense of integrity and she remains unaffected by the allure of greed. Sadly, Lenore falls victim to Verna's machinations and meets her demise in the gripping finale. Roderick, gripped by profound grief, feels the loss of his daughter more deeply than he did for any of his other children.

Poe’s short story titled The Raven picked up as the narrator mourned Lenore’s death.

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Toby (‘Never Bet the Devil Your Head’)

On screen, Toby (played by Igby Rigney) was portrayed as Camille's assistant, who was fired just before her death. In Poe's version, Toby was used as a warning example of the consequences of making a pact with the devil. The Usher family could have benefitted from learning that particular lesson. By the end of "Never Bet the Devil Your Head," Toby's body was exhumed, possibly as a subtle reference to Griswold's unethical practice of digging up the bodies of Fortunata Pharmaceuticals' patients to prevent any evidence of the company's harmful products from being discovered.

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Eliza (Poe’s Mother)

The viewers only had a fleeting encounter with Roderick and Madeline's mother as she passed away moments after the premiere began. Her sudden demise, followed by a brief reanimation, had a lasting impact on her children's lives.

Flanagan brought forth Eliza as a tribute to Poe's mother, a talented actress who tragically succumbed to tuberculosis at the young age of 24. She served as a profound inspiration for her son's literary creations and became a muse for his stories. Poe frequently incorporated the motif of dying women in his works, such as the notable example of "The Raven."

In this article

Carla Gugino

mark hamill

Zach Gilford