‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ is about friends running a failing Irish pub. Their plans? Ridiculous. Their dreams? Hilarious. They chase wealth while trampling over everyone else. Classy, right? This show? It’s got humor that’s bold, characters that are just plain odd and topics you probably shouldn’t discuss at dinner. Fans love it. Why? Because it tackles taboo stuff with a wink and a nudge.

Meet the characters from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Charlie Kelly

Charlie is a lovable disaster who somehow functions as the Gang’s garbage-fueled heart, and yes he literally eats cat food sometimes — gross but also endearing? He’s ridiculous, uneducated, and brilliant in the most ridiculous ways: writes weird songs, hoards rat-bait like it’s treasure, and insists he can read even when he can’t. There’s a sad sweet streak under all the chaos — loyal to a fault, terrified of change, and weirdly philosophical when he’s had too much beer. Also he claims to be an animal expert and once built a musical about a man who isn’t a man but also is, so, you know, classic Charlie.

Dennis Reynolds

Dennis is pure, concentrated narcissism wrapped in a disturbingly attractive exterior and a binder that explains how to break hearts — he believes in rules that only apply to him. Meticulous, manipulative, and obsessed with image (the “golden god” thing is not a joke), he plans everything like a dark romantic mastermind and then cries in the shower sometimes, which is somehow both creepy and kind of pathetic. He’s shockingly self-aware in short spurts and then totally delusional the next minute; he loves being admired and will ruin you if you aren’t. Also he claims to be an elite psychologist though he mainly uses psychology to trap people into his compliments, which feels like cheating but also very Dennis.

Mac

Mac is the self-appointed muscle with a soft spot for grand gestures and karate moves that are mostly flailing, and he is absolutely serious about his body even if the math doesn’t always add up. Faithy-ness meets insecurity: he swears he’s a devout protector with a black belt that might be from a sketchy store, he loves Jesus and also velvet suits, and is endlessly proud of being tough while being weirdly gentle to pigeons. He’s comedic because he believes his own hype — delusions of grandeur mixed with actual dedication to the “Mac skillset” (which includes both prayer and weird dance sequences). Oh and he insists he’s a master tactician; he’s probably also got a secret stash of mullet wigs or something.

Dee Reynolds

Dee is the failed actress with infinite confidence and zero chill, forever convinced she’s about to get her big break while everyone else screams “no, don’t.” She’s loud, caustic, and hilarious in spite of herself; cruel when cornered but also weirdly vulnerable when she’s drunk and alone in her car with audition tapes. People call her a bird and she’ll embrace it while simultaneously trying to be classy — there’s this constant wobble between “I am Broadway” and “please someone validate me.” She hoards costumes and improv bits, believes she’s a chameleon of personas, and can be shockingly talented for a second before she ruins it by shouting.

Frank Reynolds

Frank is pure chaotic energy: filthy, filthy rich-turned-filthier, loves a scam, and will happily eat with his hands while concocting the next morally ambiguous scheme. He’s equal parts grandpa-level weirdness and business-savant when it comes to shady deals; he’ll teach you how to launder a suit and also how to make a perfect grilled sandwich that somehow involves alcohol. He’s delightfully unpredictable — tender one minute (weirdly), revolting the next — and his moral compass exists only to point toward profit or discomfort for everyone else. Also he hoards questionable souvenirs and once dressed as the “Trash Man” for reasons that make total sense to him and no one else.