10 Questionable TV Dads Who May Not Be Father’s Day Worthy

We’ve already given you our list of TV Mums who we think need to work harder to earn their breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day. Well, now it’s Dad’s turn.

These 10 TV Dads range from likeable to downright dastardly. Each one will have to lift their game if they are going to be considered for a new neck tie, a homemade card, or a pair of knitted socks this Father’s Day morning.

Let’s take a closer look at their parental skills to determine if these dodgy Dads can even be considered ‘Father’s Day worthy’.

1. Logan Roy – Succession

Questionable Father Moment:

After an unsuccessful family coup that threatened to take down this intimidating patriarch, Daddy Logan (Brian Cox) lets rip on his beloved children like no other father can. He calls out his daughter Shiv for being power hungry and tells his youngest son Roman that he couldn’t get a job at a burger joint without him.

But he saves his most brutal verbal takedown for Kendall (Jeremy Strong), telling his ambitious son what every child who worships their dad and craves his approval would want to hear….

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

We get the feeling Logan Roy isn’t going to be won over by warm and fuzzy sentiment this Father’s Day.

Gift Suggestion:

Maybe hold onto that new pair of socks you purchased for him, we are thinking a new acquired pair of media multinationals might be a gift more up his ally.

Feel free to give him any present you see fit, just be prepared to be told to “Now F**K Off!” immediately after.

2. Corlys Velaryon – House of the Dragon

Questionable Father Moment:

Alright, alright…we know this Game of Thrones prequel series has only just started. But it didn’t take long for some dodgy Dad behaviour to shine through in House of the Dragon.

What do you do when the ruling crown is facing increasing pressure and needs to unite the realm with a show of strength and authority? Well, you suggest the King (a man nudging 50 years old) marries and procreates with your…er…12 year old daughter. Um…speechless…

Questionable Father Quote

Father’s Day Worthy?

Ah, Nope. Would you want to celebrate your father after he pimps you out in a shrewd play for power? I didn’t think so.

Gift Suggestion:

We suggest a mighty forehead slap is what this cretin deserves, served with a side dish of basic morality.

3. John Dutton – Yellowstone

Questionable Father Moment:

Poor Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), son of ruthless ranch owner John Dutton (Kevin Costner) is the black sheep of the family. Preferring politics to ranch work, he’s simply not built like the other Duttons. In a moment of weakness he contemplates ending it all…until Dad John hits him with a fatherly truth bomb that stops him in his tracks.

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

Nothing is more important to John Dutton than family, but one thing we’ve learned from 3 seasons of Yellowstone is that you dare not cross him or threaten his beloved ranch. Family or not.

Putting a grassy paddock and some horses ahead of your kids is not exactly ‘Father of the Year’ material.

Gift Suggestion:

We suggest playing it safe and gifting him something you know he’ll like. Let’s see, he’s partial to a bit of denim, cowboy hats….and that’s kinda it. Good luck.

4. Cal Jacobs – Euphoria

Questionable Father Moment:

In a series chock full of questionable characters, all of whom endlessly push the envelope, Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane) stands out for his eye opening extra-curricular activities. On the surface, he’s a regular family man, but underneath is a strict father who likes, among other things, seedy motel hook-ups with young men and trans women….oookay, that took a turn.

When his hidden secrets come to the fore in a monologue to his wife and 2 sons, he points his finger at his boy Nate and delivers this fatherly ground-shaker…

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

When Dad says he needs to work late, or is out of town on a business trip…you want to believe him. You’ll have no such luck with Cal Jacobs. His absence and shady late-night hobbies make it hard to rush into his room on Father’s Day morning with breakfast in bed.

Gift Suggestion:

If he’s home that morning, we think a quiet, under the breath, “Happy Father’s Day” as you pass him in the hallway will suffice. It’s clear that the best gift you could give this questionable Dad is ‘space’. A few steps back might be the best gift of all.

5. Tywin Lannister – Game of Thrones

Questionable Father Moment:

For someone hellbent on keeping his family in power, Tywin (Charles Dance) was pretty vicious when it came to his son Tyrion (Peter Dinklage). He blamed him for the death of his wife in childbirth, he continually mocks him for his small stature, and even orders him to be killed (!) Then he offers up this nugget of fatherly love…

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

He’s hardly the kind of dad that would appreciate a warm cuddle and a poem in a handmade card this Father’s day.

Gift Suggestion:

To be honest, we think the only gift worth giving this monster of a man is the sharp, pointy one he ended up receiving from Tyrion at the end of the series.

6. Ray Shoesmith – Mr Inbetween

Questionable Father Moment:

While solo parenting his impressionable 12 year old daughter, he has to deal with her finding (and firing!) the gun she discovers in his bedroom. Even worse, she comes home from school one day high on drugs. Ray’s response is swift. He tracks down the kid who gave his daughter the drugs and keeps things plain and simple for the young schoolboy.

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

We’re calling it – Ray has good qualities. He’s likeable, funny and always finishes what he starts. As a Dad he’s actually committed and loving. Unfortunately he’s also a cold-blooded psychopathic killer for hire. It’s hard to hold this against him though, when at the end of the day, he’s just trying to protect and earn for the daughter he loves.

Gift Suggestion:

We think taking him out for a special Father’s Day “dimmy” or two can’t hurt.

7. Jonathan Fraser – The Undoing

Questionable Father Moment:

Did he or didn’t he do it? You need to watch the twists and turns of The Undoing to find out the answer, but one thing we know about Jonathan Fraser (played by Hugh Grant) is that he is a pretty questionable character from the get go.

After the murder weapon was found in his son’s violin case, Jonathan was quick (maybe too quick?) to blame his 12-year-old boy for the murder. Always nice when your Dad has your back.

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

Jonathan is the sheer definition of a narcissist. He plays the victim constantly and would sell out his own family when put up against the ropes, making it heard to devote a day in his honour.

Gift Suggestion:

We’d suggest gifting this devilish Dad a few self-help books for Father’s Day. But please, no handyman tools, no Bunnings gift voucher, and definitely no hammers!

8. Martin Byrde – Ozark

Questionable Father Moment:

After choosing a life of crime and doing deals with a series of unsavoury people, Marty (Jason Bateman) decides to come clean to his daughter and young son about everything. This includes the part about how there are people very much wanting him and his family killed.

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

He’s dragged his family across the country after being chased by mobsters, he shows no signs of slowing his criminal ways, and even buys a strip club. Marty is far from the ideal father figure. In fact, the way he takes risks, we’d be nervous of him making it to Father’s Day alive.

Gift Suggestion:

We know he likes beige colours and collared shirts, but whatever you buy him as a present, make sure you can return it if things go sideways. Keep the receipt.

9. Mark Mossbacher – The White Lotus

Questionable Father Moment:

A beautiful Hawaiian beach setting is the location for what turns out to be one of the more awkward father/son bonding chats, when Mark (Steve Zahn) lets a little too much of his true feelings slip when trying to get closer to Quinn (Fred Hechinger)

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

This brilliant HBO series screams with undertones of white privilege and social climbing, all displayed by Father Mark Mossbacher, whose self-centred, slightly dimwitted persona is both laughable and sad at once. He’s loveable one minute, slappable the next.

Gift Suggestion:

Given his..ahem..swelling problem down below, we suggest buying him some nice, loose underwear this Father’s Day (maybe a size or two bigger than usual)

10. Bobby Axelrod – Billions

Questionable Father Moment:

After his son gets into some hot water at his upmarket, elite private school. Billionaire Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) does what any normal father would do – he jumps in his chopper, flies down to the school and tries to bribe the headmaster.

When that fails, he then straight-out blackmails him instead. To top it all off, Bobby then takes to the stage at his son’s school assembly to impart his capitalist, rich-man wisdom to the young kids…

Questionable Father Quote:

Father’s Day Worthy?

Let’s face it, for a guy who owns all the cars, planes and houses you could wish for, there’s not much else you could bring Bobby Axelrod with his breakfast in bed on Father’s Day morning.

Gift Suggestion:

We’d suggest anything that strokes his ego and we aren’t sure that slaving over bacon and eggs or those hand-knitted pair of socks you spent all week making him will really do it for this hard-hearted billionaire.