The Umbrella Academy season 4 introduced us to a host of new characters along the way, though two in particular stand out. Of course, we're talking about the completely weird and wonderful Jean and Gene, as played by husband and wife duo Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally.
The pair are introduced to the fourth season as the leaders of a group called The Keepers, but who exactly are Jean and Gene in The Umbrella Academy?
With a penchant for Cher and hands-on experience milking alpacas, the two add some much appreciated comic relief to the final season, serving up some sincerely hilarious moments in season 4 despite the impending apocalypse – no mean feat.
Intrigued? Here's everything you need to know about their characters and the actors who play them.
Including that emotional post-credits scene.
Who are Gene and Jean Thibedeau in The Umbrella Academy?
Gene and Jean are the founders and leaders of an organisation (read: cult) called The Keepers, with the two being the head honchos behind The Cleanse, “a great restoration” that will restore the world to one linear timeline.
We first meet Gene and Jean at the start of season 4 when the pair give a presentation where Five (Aidan Gallagher) is in attendance with Lila (Ritu Arya). It's here that we learn they first started the Keepers in Clovis, New Mexico, with the movement having only grown in popularity since then.
Referencing artefacts from The Umbrella Academy's past, Klaus's (Robert Sheehan) cult period and photos of the Hargreeves, Jean and Gene explain what they call "the Umbrella Effect". Arguing that the existence of multiple timelines has been concealed, the pair say it's possible to amend through The Cleanse.
Come episode 2, the Hargreeves have their powers restored and come to the rescue of Jennifer. Things go south quickly, however, with Gene and Jean swooping in to kidnap her before The Umbrella Academy have a chance to help. Believing her to be the key to restoring the true timeline, The Keepers leaders ask her how to instigate The Cleanse.
Though Jennifer tries to escape, Gene and Jean trap her in a barn…with the giant squid. Eek.
The Keepers pop back up again in episode 5 when Sy Grossman tells Gene and Jean that Ben is the real key to The Cleanse, advising them to get to Ben before The Umbrella Academy do.
Swooping in to ambush several members of the Hargreeves family, the leaders receive word that one of the teams has located Ben and Jennifer, with them putting a call out for the Keepers to unite and ready themselves for The Cleanse.
Ultimately, however, Gene and Jean are killed off by Abigail who goes on to wear Gene's body as a disguise.
Are we weird for feeling kind of sad about it?
Where you've seen The Umbrella Academy's Gene and Jean Thibedeau actors before
If you recognise Gene and Jean, that's because they're played by power couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally.
The two have been married in real life since 2003 (hence the insane on-screen chemistry), with each having a long list of roles.
Recently, Nick Offerman won over audiences as Bill in The Last of Us, for which he earned a Primetime Emmy Award. Prior to that, Offerman appeared as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation over 2009 - 2015, with him having also had roles in everything from The Founder (2016) to 21 Jump Street (2021) and Civil War (2024).
Along with an appearance as Tammy, Ron Swanson's toxic ex on Parks and Rec, Mullally is best known for her role as Karen in Will & Grace which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2000 and 2006.
Beyond that, Mullally has appeared in recurring roles on Bob's Burgers, Percy Jackson, The Great North, 30 Rock and countless others.
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