The Enigmatic Usher Family Tree Unraveled: Unveiling the Dark Secrets

Summary

Mike Flanagan's The Fall of the House of Usher explores the tragic history and secrets of the wealthy Usher family as they face horrifying consequences in the present.

The show showcases an intricate and extensive family lineage, posing a difficulty in following the characters' connections as the horrifying events transpire.

Unraveling the horror tale revolves around the demise of Roderick and Madeline Usher's descendants, highlighting the importance of comprehending the family's dynamics.

Mike Flanagan's The Fall of the House of Usher delves into the calamities and dynamics of the affluent Usher family, whose past and present actions lead to horrifying consequences. Drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's eponymous short story and other works by the author, Netflix's adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher focuses on a family that encounters tragic fates as the corrupt pharmaceutical company CEO, who serves as the patriarch, confronts his questionable history. As Roderick Usher's children meet mysterious and cruel deaths, multiple generations of the Usher family come together to unearth secrets, confront mortality, and desperately grasp onto their crumbling familial empire.

In a similar vein to The Haunting of Hill House, Mike Flanagan's 2023 horror series explores a haunted family struggling with their past, facing present-day mistakes and betrayals, and ultimately experiencing heart-wrenching reunions due to unbearable tragedies. However, the titular family tree in The Fall of the House of Usher surpasses the size of the Crains, Wingraves, and Flynns from Flanagan's previous Netflix horror shows, creating a more intricate web of connections that becomes challenging to follow as the terrifying events unfold. As the narrative revolves around the successive deaths of Roderick and Madeline Usher's heirs, understanding the family connections becomes paramount to comprehending the story.

Roderick Usher

Madeline Usher

Bruce Greenwood portrays Roderick Usher, the patriarch of the titular family in The Fall of the House of Usher. Known for his return in Mike Flanagan's adaptation, Greenwood's character is not only the CEO of the corrupt Fortunato Pharmaceuticals but also the one who built the family's wealth and empire alongside his twin sister, Madeline Usher. However, as the years pass, Roderick becomes haunted by a woman from his past, while his children and heirs face a mysterious and deadly fate. Juno is Roderick's current wife, and Annabel Lee, his ex-wife and mother of two of his children. In The Fall of the House of Usher, Roderick has six children: Frederick, Tamerlane, Victorine, Leo, Perry, and the younger Roderick Usher, portrayed by Zach Gilford in the Netflix series Midnight Mass.

In her debut within the Flanaverse, Mary McDonnell assumes the role of Madeline Usher in the cast of The Fall of the House of Usher. Madeline serves as the twin sister of Roderick, and together they manage Fortunato after striking a deal with Carla Gugino's shape-shifting demon Verna during their youth. Nevertheless, while Roderick takes on the public face of the enterprise, Madeline is the true mastermind and ambitious force behind the company. She possesses a level of ruthlessness that would compel her to betray her own brother if circumstances required it. Moreover, Madeline also acts as the aunt to Frederick, Tamerlane, Victorine, Leo, and Perry within the storyline of The Fall of the House of Usher. The character of young Madeline Usher is portrayed by Willa Fitzgerald.

Frederick Usher

Tamerlane Usher

Henry Thomas, a frequent collaborator of Mike Flanagan, plays the role of Frederick Usher in this character-driven drama. As the eldest child of Roderick Usher and his late wife Annabel Lee, Frederick holds the initial claim to the Fortunato dynasty. However, his younger siblings, known for their remarkable skills in managing the empire, overshadow him. Plagued by jealousy and a deep-seated insecurity, compounded by constant teasing from his siblings, Frederick embarks on an unsettling journey. Alongside his sister Tamerlane, Frederick shares his lineage with half-siblings Victorine, Leo, and Perry. Adding another dimension to his life, Frederick is happily married to Morelle "Morrie" Usher, a former actress and model. Together, they have a teenage daughter named Lenore.

In The Fall of the House of Usher, Samantha Sloyan reprises her role as Tamerlane Usher, the offspring of Roderick Usher and Annabel Lee. Instead of following in her father's footsteps, Tamerlane seeks to break free from his influence and ventures into the realm of health and wellness. Although married to fitness influencer Bill T. Wilson, indications from character descriptions and The Fall of the House of Usher trailer suggest that their marital bond may not be as sturdy as it appears. Alongside her brother Frederick, Tamerlane also shares a family lineage with half-siblings Leo, Perry, and Victorine within the Usher family tree.

Victorine Lafourcade

Usher family member Victorine Lafourcade, portrayed by T’Nia Miller, who previously played Hannah in Flanagan's The Haunting of Bly Manor, is the eldest child of Roderick Usher born out of wedlock. While Victorine and her half-siblings, who were also born out of wedlock, are referred to as the "bastards" of the family, Roderick believes that anyone with his blood deserves a share in the family dynasty. Despite her desire for her father's approval, Victorine's altruistic pursuits clash with her actions as she unethically conducts clinical trials on human subjects to test a new heart mesh.

Napoleon “Leo” Usher

Napoleon Usher, also known as Leo, is portrayed by Rahul Kohli, a frequent actor in Mike Flanagan TV shows. Leo is one of Roderick Usher's extramarital children and is characterized as a playboy socialite with a notorious drug addiction. Alongside his half-siblings Frederick, Tamerlane, Victorine, and Perry, Leo's storyline is strongly intertwined with his boyfriend Julius.

Prospero “Perry” Usher

Prospero “Perry” Usher, portrayed by Sauriyan Sapkota, known for his role in The Midnight Club, assumes the role of the youngest child among Roderick Usher’s offspring in The Fall of the House of Usher. Perry, a newcomer to the intricate Usher family dynamics, sets his sights on utilizing his father's substantial wealth to transform life into a grand celebration. Despite harboring no ambitions to succeed Fortunato's business in the future, Perry finds himself becoming a target alongside Roderick's other children.

Lenore Usher

Kyliegh Curran, known for her role in Doctor Sleep, takes on the character of Lenore Usher in The Fall of the House of Usher. Lenore represents the youngest generation of the influential Usher family. She is the daughter of Frederick and Morelle Usher. Lenore is highly regarded by her grandfather Roderick, who believes she is the most remarkable member of their lineage. However, what sets Lenore apart is her compassionate nature and empathy for others, causing her to prioritize the well-being of society as a whole rather than solely focusing on her family's interests. With the expectation that her father will succeed Roderick in leading Fortunato, Lenore is positioned as the future of the Usher family's legacy.

Juno Usher

The Fall of the House of Usher also introduces Juno, a member of the Usher family, portrayed by Ruth Codd who gained recognition for her performance in The Midnight Club. Juno is the second wife of Roderick Usher, who happens to be significantly younger than the CEO of the pharmaceutical company. It is perplexing to Roderick's heirs that he would marry someone with a history of drug addiction. Nevertheless, in Mike Flanagan's The Fall of the House of Usher, Juno takes on the role of Roderick's new wife, while his first wife, Annabel, remains the true love of the Usher family patriarch.