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Arrested Development character guide

Who is Lindsay Bluth Funke in Arrested Development?

The glamorous, self-absorbed Bluth daughter, raised as Michael's twin, who champions trendy causes mostly for the image, stays in a hopeless marriage to Tobias, and largely neglects their daughter, Maeby.

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Lindsay Bluth Funke's Sitcomdle clue card

The five clues the game shows when Lindsay Bluth Funke is the answer or a guess.

Show
Arrested Development
Debut
2003
Network
FOX
Role
Main
Gender
Female

Lindsay Bluth Funke has not been a daily answer yet. Play today's Sitcomdle.

Show
Arrested Development
Played by
Portia de Rossi
First episode
“Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1, aired November 2, 2003
Role
Main cast
Network
FOX
Occupation
Socialite and activist of the moment
Show run
2003 to 2019Canceled by FOX in 2006, then revived by Netflix for seasons in 2013 and 2018 to 2019.
Also known as
Lindsay Bluth, Lindsay Funke, Lindsay Bluth Fünke, Lindsay Fünke

Lindsay Bluth Funke is the vain, pampered Bluth sister who thinks of herself as a dedicated activist. Played by Portia de Rossi, she drifts from cause to cause and man to man while barely noticing her own daughter.

On Arrested Development, Lindsay Bluth Funke's story runs through Tobias Funke (Husband), Maeby Funke (Daughter), Michael Bluth (Brother), Lucille Bluth (Mother), George Bluth Sr. (Father), and Gob Bluth (Brother).

Lindsay Bluth Funke from Arrested Development: Sitcomdle character card

Who is Lindsay Bluth Funke?

Lindsay was raised to believe she is Michael's twin sister, the only daughter of George Sr. and Lucille. She is married to Tobias Funke, a former psychiatrist turned failed actor, and the two are the distracted, self-involved parents of Maeby, who mostly raises herself.

She loves shopping, attention, and her own reflection, and she considers herself a liberal crusader. Lindsay married Tobias partly to spite her parents, and their marriage lurches through separations, an open arrangement neither of them handles well, and repeated reconciliations.

Personality and comedy

Lindsay's comedy comes from her hypocrisy. She protests whatever cause is fashionable that week, from tree removal to a war, but her activism tends to benefit her social life far more than the cause. Creator Mitchell Hurwitz built her as the family's resident liberal, and specifically as the kind whose activism does a lot more for her own image than it ever costs her.

Portia de Rossi has described Lindsay as clueless but good-hearted at bottom, and Hurwitz has said her performance gave Lindsay a touch of Lucille's cutting, imperious streak. Her running feud with the very idea of work, including a disastrous stint at a clothing store, shows how hopeless she is at holding down a job.

Key storylines

In the first three seasons Lindsay chains herself to causes, flirts with an open marriage, and tries to keep up appearances while the family fortune evaporates. The season three finale delivers her biggest twist: she is not Michael's twin at all, but was adopted, and she is three years older than she believed.

The Netflix revival sends her on a spiritual trip to India that turns into a shopping spree, then into a romance with activist Marky Bark and an affair with conservative politician Herbert Love. When Love can no longer campaign, Lindsay takes his place in a run for Congress. Season five has her vanish for a stretch and reveals that she is actually Lucille's half sister.

Behind the scenes and legacy

Portia de Rossi came to the show from Ally McBeal and has said she was drawn to what felt like a fresh take on comedy, with a much looser style than the tightly rehearsed series she had worked on before.

Lindsay's blend of vanity and clueless activism made her a pointed satire of image-driven politics, and her twin reveal remains one of the show's most memorable season-ending surprises.

Key Lindsay Bluth Funke episodes

  1. “Top Banana”Season 1, Episode 2Lindsay lands the commercial role Tobias auditioned for.
  2. “Key Decisions”Season 1, Episode 4Lindsay fights to save an old tree from being cut down by the Bluth Company.
  3. “The One Where Michael Leaves”Season 2, Episode 1Lindsay pushes for an open marriage with Tobias.
  4. “Development Arrested”Season 3, Episode 13The family's secrets come out, including the truth that Lindsay was adopted.
  5. “Indian Takers”Season 4, Episode 3Lindsay leaves Tobias and heads to India in search of spiritual meaning.
  6. “Red Hairing”Season 4, Episode 8Lindsay begins an affair with politician Herbert Love while dating activist Marky Bark.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

Lindsay Bluth Funke: frequently asked questions

Who plays Lindsay in Arrested Development?

Portia de Rossi plays Lindsay Bluth Funke in all five seasons of Arrested Development.

Is Lindsay adopted in Arrested Development?

Yes. The season three finale reveals Lindsay was adopted rather than born Michael's twin, and season five reveals she is actually Lucille's half sister.

Who is Lindsay married to?

Lindsay is married to Tobias Funke, the never-nude former psychiatrist turned aspiring actor. Their daughter is Maeby.

Does Lindsay run for Congress?

Yes. In the Netflix revival Lindsay steps into politician Herbert Love's congressional campaign after he is sidelined, and she is still running at the start of season five.

Why does Lindsay go to India?

After leaving Tobias in season four, Lindsay is inspired by Eat, Pray, Love to seek spiritual renewal in India. The trip mostly turns into shopping, and she comes home broke.

Test yourself: Lindsay Bluth Funke quiz

5 questions about Lindsay Bluth Funke. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.

  1. Question 1

    After Lindsay kicks him out, Tobias returns in disguise as which British housekeeper?

    1. Miss Pennywhistle
    2. Lady Bluth
    3. Mrs. Featherbottom
    4. Nanny Funke
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. Mrs. Featherbottom

    Tobias borrows a Mrs. Doubtfire style costume to become Mrs. Featherbottom in "The Immaculate Election." Michael and Lindsay see through it immediately, but the act survives because the housework gets done.

    See question 7 in the full quiz

  2. Question 2

    Which Bluth sibling is revealed to have been adopted in the season three finale?

    1. Gob
    2. Buster
    3. Michael
    4. Lindsay
    Show the answer

    Answer: D. Lindsay

    The news in "Development Arrested" that Lindsay was adopted means George Michael and Maeby are not blood relatives after all.

    See question 16 in the full quiz

  3. Question 3

    Who plays Lindsay Bluth Funke in Arrested Development?

    1. Leslie David Baker
    2. Alyson Hannigan
    3. Portia de Rossi
    4. Jane Kaczmarek
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. Portia de Rossi

    Portia de Rossi plays Lindsay Bluth Funke.

  4. Question 4

    In what year did Lindsay Bluth Funke first appear on Arrested Development?

    1. 2003
    2. 1997
    3. 2007
    4. 2005
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 2003

    Lindsay Bluth Funke debuted in 2003, in "Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1). That year is the Debut clue in the game.

  5. Question 5

    Which episode was Lindsay Bluth Funke's first?

    1. "Charlie Gets Crippled"
    2. "The Anonymous Donor"
    3. "Pilot"
    4. "My First Day"
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. "Pilot"

    Lindsay Bluth Funke first appeared in "Pilot," Season 1, Episode 1.

Take the full Arrested Development quiz (20 questions)

Sources and corrections

Reference pages used for this guide, including character, cast, and episode details.

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