While Ozark is entirely a crime thriller with minimal comic plots; Bateman’s Arrested Development is an American sitcom drama. While the former revolves around killing a family; the latter portrays a highly dysfunctional yet inseparable family. Wait, why are we trying to draw parallels between two entirely different shows again? Because Jason Bateman recently addressed a viral theory that suggested that his characters in both the dramas are the same person.

The viral fans’ theory

For those who are not aware, the theory suggested that Bateman’s Marty Byrde in Ozark is none other than his Micheal Bluth in Arrested Development. And how the former faces the aftermath of latters’ business collapse in the sitcom.

Talking of Arrested Development, the series follows a family man Michael Bluth. He tries to keep his family and business from collapsing after his father, George, goes to prison for embezzling money. Seemingly, as the family adjusts from riches to rags, Michael helps his mother Lucille keep up appearances. He also helps sister Lindsay and brother-in-law Tobias with their failed marriage. He takes care of his son George Michael and niece Maeby through adolescence and helps brothers Buster and Gob adjust to working life.

No doubt why Ozarks’ fans drew similarities between the two characters!

What is Bateman’s take on this theory?

Talking to The Guardian, Bateman says, not intending to ruin the debate, “I think they have similar blind spots. Their arrogance and hubris lead to early decisions. Perhaps they should think a little bit longer about what they do.”

“If there’s another through-line,” Bateman further says, it’s that: “I’m not too far removed from a drama when I’m doing Arrested Development and I’m not too far from a comedy when I’m doing Ozark.”

Moreover, he also describes perfectly how he acts differently in both genres. He explains, “In a drama, I’m not the person with a knife, I’m the person getting chased. In a comedy, I’m not the person farting, I’m the person who smelled it.” This Bateman quote perfectly sums up his role in the two series and his work as an actor.

Do you think Bluthe and Byrde are similar? Let us know in the comment section what do you think about this theory.