The Umbrella Academy's Harold Jenkins and Leonard Peabody storyline explained

18 February 2019, 12:35

By Sam Prance

Vanya's boyfriend Leonard Peabody (John Magaro) has a very dark past...

The Umbrella Academy is finally here and it is already taking the world by storm. Netflix released the brand new series on Friday (Feb 15) and it's incredible. From its stunning set and fight sequences (some of those Vanya scenes at the end are breathtaking) to its brilliant plot and cast (we're still not over how it finished), The Umbrella Academy is a superb adaptation of Gerard Way's hit comic book series.

The Umbrella Academy season 2: News, spoilers, release date, cast and everything you need to know

Like any superhero show, The Umbrella Academy has its fair share of iconic villains. Hazel and Cha Cha are both highly dangerous, but also kind of loveable (Cameron Britton and Mary J. Blige snapped). The Handler is glam, mysterious and we have all fallen in love with her (Kate Walsh bodied this role). Then there's Harold Jenkins, who everyone on the internet hates (sorry John Magaro).

WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW

The ill-will towards Harold Jenkins has nothing to do with John Magaro (he portrays him perfectly) but how slimy and messed up his character is. Harold's backstory is actually very sad. He was born on the same day as all The Umbrella Academy siblings but his birth was completely normal. His mum died in childbirth, though, and his dad then became abusive and an alcoholic, as shown in episode 7.

Harold attempted to run away and join The Umbrella Academy as a boy but, seeing as he did not have powers, Sir Reginald Hargreeves turned him away. Harold then murdered his father with a hammer and spent 12 years in prison where he plotted revenge on the Umbrella Academy. When Harold was released, he pretended to be Leonard Peabody and weaselled his way into Vanya's life as one of her violin students.

It doesn't stop there though. Leonard (Harold) then gradually gets Vanya to turn on her family and tricks her into discovering that she has powers. In doing so, he inadvertently causes the apocalypse. Oh, and Vanya kills him when she finds out his real motives. Given Harold's actions, it makes sense why fans aren't warming to him. In fact, many people found him creepy from the start.

Here are just a few of the reactions.

We see no lies.

Obviously Harold had an awful childhood but it doesn't justify what he does to the Umbrella Academy. Thankfully, he's now dead but, given the show's ending, there's no reason why he couldn't return in season 2. We'll have to wait and see.

What do you think of Harold? Will he be back?