While characters are generally supposed to be likable since that’s what draws audiences in, the duo featured on Difficult People is honest about their flaws. The comedy, which ran for three seasons on Hulu from 2015 until 2017, starred Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner as Julie and Billy, two best friends who want to get into the entertainment industry.
These two, along with the rest of the cast, are hilarious but, well, difficult to deal with. But since we don’t have to hang out with them, we can just watch them in the silly situations that they find themselves in, it’s all good. Let’s look at the MBTI of each of the main characters of Difficult People.
Matthew: ENTP
Cole Escola’s character on this funny show is Mathew, who would be an ENTP or “Imaginative Motivator.” Matthew is super social and sounds like ENTPs whose “energy is stimulated by new people and experiences.”
He’s also “restless” in his job at the restaurant where Billy is also working since he dreams of being famous and successful. He’s also got a “zest for life” and is “creative.”
Denise: ISTP
Gabourey Sidibe’s Difficult People character, Denise, would be an ISTP or “Logical Pragmatist.” She’s a business owner and runs the restaurant that employs Billy. Since ISTPs are known for staying chill when things go wrong, that definitely applies to this character.
ISTPs can be “detached” sometimes which is how Denise talks to Billy. She often seems like she’s simply tolerating him and really doesn’t want to be speaking to him (which, honestly, is how many people on this show treat him).
Todd Ross: ENTP
Jon Cho played Todd Ross on Difficult People. He and Billy date briefly, and their main problem is that they can’t sleep in the same bed in the third season episode “Criminal Minds.” It’s hilarious and also relatable.
Todd is an ENTP or “Enterprising Explorer.” He works in advertising so these personality traits come in handy as ENTPs “solve problems creatively.” He’s “objective” and “analytical” and rational."
Rucchel Epstein: ISTP
Rucchel is Billy’s sister-in-law, played by Jackie Hoffman. She’s married to his brother Garry (Fred Armisen). She’s loud, rude, and doesn’t treat her husband well at all.
Rucchel is an ISTP or “Logical Pragmatist.” She will “lead through action” and is both “self-determined” and “realistic.” She’s honestly a pretty miserable person and anytime Billy visits his brother and his wife, he definitely wishes that he could go home immediately.
Garry Epstein: ISFP
Billy’s brother Garry is an ISFP or “Versatile Supporter,” especially within the context of his marriage. He basically lets his wife walk all over him and he’s too sensitive and nervous to stand up for himself.
ISFPs “enjoy providing practical help or service to others” which is what Garry does. He’s “loyal” and also “trusting” and “tolerant.” He’s also a fairly “modest” person since he and his wife are religious and traditional.
Lola: INFP
Lola (Shakina Nayfack) is an INFP or “Thoughtful Idealist.” She always believes in conspiracy theories and brings them up in pretty much every single conversation she has with anyone at the restaurant where she, Billy, and Matthew work.
She is someone who is “making moral commitments to what they believe in.” She’s “concerned” and “compassionate” and “introspective” and often talks about 9/11.
Arthur Tack: ISTJ
Arthur Tack (James Urbaniak) and his girlfriend Julie prove that “opposites attract” can sometimes be a real thing. He is nervous, quiet, serious, and realistic but they are such a sweet couple since he totally understands her personality. He knows that she likes junk food for dinner and that she is very picky and specific about basically everything.
Arthur’s MBTI would be ISTJ or “Responsible Realist.” He’s “painstaking” and “duty bound.” He takes amazing care of Julie and does a great job at PBS where he works. Arthur is so “thorough” that he even comes up with a super long list of nicknames for Julie, from “noodles” to “rubber plant.”
Marilyn Kessler: ENTJ
Andrea Martin played Julie’s mom Marilyn, who is absolutely hilarious. A spirited therapist who wants to write a book about her life, she has many amazing quotes throughout the series, like when she says, “Emergency, Julie, emergency! I need you here right now. I’m at Saks and everything my personal shopper picked out for me is way too boxy.”
Marilyn is an ENTJ or “Decisive Strategist.” She’s a go-getter with big ambition. She will “think strategically about the future” and often about Julie’s future, too. While she means well (probably), she does tend to get involved in her daughter’s life and acts like she should be married with kids by now. She’s incredibly judgmental of basically everything about Julie. She’s “tough when necessary” and likes to “manage directly.”
Billy Epstein: ESTP
Billy sounds a lot like an ESTP or “Energetic Problem-Solver.” He’s “inventive” and “direct” and will “react quickly.”
Billy is always scheming to figure out how to live better or somehow become famous. He and Julie want to create a new product in the pilot “Library Water” that would literally be water from library fountains but sold in bottles. While Billy is just as difficult as Julie is, he has a certain charm, and he has a really witty personality. He’s often frustrated with his dating life, his work life, and, well, anything and everything.
Julie Kessler: INTJ
Julie is an INTJ or “Conceptual Planner.” This description suits her perfectly: INTJs “devise innovative solutions to complex problems.” This is exactly how Julie lives her life.
She’s always working on a plan, whether it’s how to become a writer who is paid a higher salary (or get more work in general) or how to be lazy but still get work. Yup, a lot of what she wants doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but that’s the way that she rolls. She’s “conceptual” and “original” and also a “visionary” in her own unique way.
