The McPoyle clan stands out amongAlways Sunny in Philadelphia’salready shocking cast as some of the most disturbed characters in the FX dark sitcom, and despite their insular nature, the family has an incredibly off-putting history.Created by Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton, the long-running dark comedy explores the misadventures of four friends who own a bar in the titular city.
The McPoyles were introduced in season 1, episode 7, “Charlie Got Molested”, where brothers Liam (Jimmi Simpson) and Ryan (Nate Mooney) attempt to scam the school board with claims that they were assaulted. Even in their first appearance, theseAlways Sunny In Philadelphiacharactersquickly established just how depraved they are, with their debut scene revealing that Liam and Ryan had an incestuous relationship.
The pair would later become recurring characters across the series, primarily as foils who would cause trouble for the Gang, through kidnapping, wedding chaos, and unpredictable court cases. Across these many appearances, the McPoyle family has been further explored on-screen, with several of the extended family being named and having their own strange and uncanny standout moments.
Liam McPoyle
The Erratic McPoyle “Mastermind”
The first McPoyle introduced to audiences back in season 1, Liam met Charlie (Charlie Day) through elementary school, and has had a relationship with the gang that ranges from friendly to antagonistic.Ryan often acts as the leader of the clanwhen they appear, speaking for himself and his siblings.
He also asserts dominance through his sudden, often highly emotional and loud outbursts. Despite his status as the leading McPoyle,Ryan has also found himself the most frequently injured McPoyle on-screen, most notably losing his eye to a bird after his wedding descends into chaos.
Ryan McPoyle
Liam’s Dim-witted Brother
Liam’s brother and lover, Ryan is the less savvy part ofthe leading McPoyle duo. He often finds himself going along with Liam’s plans and making very easy to avoid errors of judgement, even if it means accidentally stabbing his brother in a tense hostage crisis.
Ryan can be more assertive when he needs to, such aswhen he believes that Ryan is betraying the family’s “purity” through his marriage to Maureen Ponderosa(Catherine Reitman). Despite their moments of conflict, the pair rarely spends time apart from one another, even when it comes to showering.
Margaret McPoyle
Mac’s Former Frequent Lover
Introduced in season 2’s “Charlie Goes America All Over Everybody’s Ass”, Margaret (Thesy Surface) is the sister of Liam and Ryan. She joined the pair when Paddy’s Pub was turned into an “Anything Goes” bar.
Margaret lost her vocal cords to Royal McPoyle, the family’s bird, who took Liam’s eye.
Unlike her siblings, Margaret is deaf and mute, primarily communicating through mimicry and tongue movements.She also has a crush on Mac (McElhenney), and is likely still awaiting him to call her after he seduced her during the events of season 3’s “The Gang Gets Held Hostage”.
Doyle McPoyle
The McPoyle’s Hopes And Dreams
The next major McPoyle to make his debut was Doyle McPoyle (Bob Rusch). He joined the family at the tailgate party held during the Philadelphia Eagles' open tryouts during season 3’s “The Gang Gets Invincible”.
His dreams a cut short, however, as Frank accidentally shoots him in the leg, to his and his family’s horror. Despite this setback, Doyle is able to fall back in his career as a businessman, being the owner of Doyle McPoyle’s Trappings and Furs.
Pappy McPoyle
Guardian of Royal McPoyle
Introduced during season 8’s “The Maureen Ponderosa Wedding Massacre”,Pappy McPoyle (portrayed by acclaimed director Guillermo Del Toro) is the patriarch of the McPoyle clan. He is presumably Liam and Ryan’s grandfather.
Pappy McPoyle claims that all McPoyles “sprung from his loins”, including one that he devoured in a Kronos-like manner.He is also the owner of Royal McPoyle, the “pocono swallow” that would eventually take Liam’s eye during the bath salt-induced chaos of his wedding.
Mother McPoyle
The Giver Of The Family’s Preferred Refreshments
Although her name indicates that she must have a high-up status, Mother McPoyle stands out as one of the more unusual named additions. She made her first appearance in season 11’s “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century”.
As Liam attempts to receive compensation for Bill (Lance Barber) spiking the punch during the wedding, the Lawyer (Brian Unger) attempts to convince the court that Ryan attacked Liam, where it is revealed McPoyle’s will only drink “mother’s milk”.Rather than having incestuous implications, Mother is simply the family’s beloved cow, much to Mac’s shock at being manipulated into sex.
Keith McPoyle
One Of Royal’s Worst Victims
While he may have had no lines in “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century”, Keith McPoyle has one of the more distinct character designs out of the already unusual family. Portrayed by Gary Sievers, Keith plays a key role in deciding the fate of Bill Ponderosa’s defense despite his relation being unknown.
Charlie outsmarted the gangand deduced that Royal is responsible for Liam’s lost eye. We also know thatthe bird claimed Keith’s eyes and ears in 1976.
Lion McPoyle
Ryan’s Doppelganger
Often mistaken for his brother Ryan, Lion McPoyle also makes his debut in “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century”. Portrayed byTwister’sSean Whalen, Lion is called upon as a witness in the trial.
However, rather than levying the blame on Bill’s spiking of the milk, Lion claims that Ryan is responsible, forming the argument that theAlways Sunny In Philadelphiacast attempts to use against the Lawyer’s case as they tried to defend Bill.
