Jason Bateman’s legacy as an actor in the English film industry is unmatched. He initially started as a child actor by featuring in Little House on the Prairie in the 70s. Meanwhile, it was the character of Michael Bluth in the famous American sitcom Arrested Development that gave Bateman fame and a truckload of praise. After Arrested Development, Jason Bateman touched new heights as an actor, producer, and director. 

One of the most prominent roles played by the American actor in recent years has to be of Marty Byrde in Netflix’s Ozark. The series that spanned over four seasons saw Bateman donning the director’s hat as well for a total of nine episodes. Meanwhile, there is a glaring similarity between Arrested Development and Ozark. Both television shows feature a dysfunctional family. In an interview in April 2016, the Zootopia actor revealed what attracts him to dysfunctional family stories.

Jason Bateman opens up on his fascination for dysfunctional stories

Speaking to Filmmaker Magazine in April 2016, Jason Bateman reflected on how family dysfunction stories are both dramatic and comedic. The director also pointed out the complexity of such characters. He believes that they are a lot dramatic, which adds a little coming element for the audience. However, the actors need to balance the character as for them their life is challenging and not comic. 

“It’s an odd thing to try to ride. I like that it’s not clearly one or the other. It allows you to do both sometimes in the same page, definitely in the same scene, and certainly in the same sequence,” the 53-year-old mentioned in the interview.

The television sitcom Arrested Development saw Michael Bluth, aka Jason Bateman, taking the control of the family following the arrest of his father. The show follows the journey of Bluth as his spoiled family members are hell-bent on making his life difficult. Ozark also focuses on a dysfunctional family. Bateman’s character lands in trouble after an encounter with a Mexican drug lord. 

Have you watched Arrested Development and Ozark? Share your views about the two series in the comments below.