"Let freedom ride."
Sons of Anarchy - Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
Jax Teller
Charlie Hunnam
Motivation
Initially motivated by his father's idealism, his drive shifts to a desperate need for revenge following Tara's death, and finally to a desire for total atonement.
Character Arc
Jax begins as a conflicted prince seeking to reform his kingdom. Over seven seasons, he descends into ruthlessness, killing his own mother and rivals to 'clean the table.' His journey ends in a calculated suicide, an act designed to kill the outlaw inside him so his sons can grow up in a different world.
Gemma Teller Morrow
Katey Sagal
Motivation
The preservation of her family and her influence within the club at any cost.
Character Arc
Gemma remains steadfast in her devotion to the club, but her lies eventually catch up with her. After murdering Jax's wife, Tara, she spends the final season in a state of paranoia and grief before accepting her death at the hands of her own son.
Clay Morrow
Ron Perlman
Motivation
Greed and the maintenance of personal power over the club's original ideals.
Character Arc
The club's brutal president who slowly loses his grip on power as his crimes are revealed. He is eventually stripped of his patches and executed by Jax, serving as a cautionary tale of what Jax might become.
Opie Winston
Ryan Hurst
Motivation
Initially seeks to leave the life, but is repeatedly pulled back by grief and his love for Jax.
Character Arc
Jax's best friend who suffers more than any other character. After losing his wife and father to the club's internal politics, he chooses to sacrifice himself in prison to save Jax and the club, proving his ultimate loyalty.