Simone is a 43-year-old London chef and the co-owner of a successful restaurant named Dishes. She travels to a remote lodge in Texas for a vacation with her daughter, only to wake up and find the teenager missing. Having grown up in the foster care system, Simone harbors a deep distrust of authority and institutions. Driven by fierce maternal instincts, she decides to handle the kidnappers' escalating demands on her own rather than involve the police.

Lucy is the 18-year-old daughter of Simone and Damien, preparing to start classes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She is abducted in the middle of the night from a remote Texas lodge. While held captive, she is forced to record proof-of-life videos to coerce her mother into compliance, a trauma that pushes her to develop extreme survival instincts.

Damien is Simone's husband and the co-owner of their restaurant, Dishes, where he manages the logistical and financial operations. Stationed in the United Kingdom when the kidnapping occurs, his immediate instinct is to involve law enforcement. This conventional trust in the legal system places him at odds with Simone's secretive approach, heavily straining their marriage during the initial crisis.

Michaela is a United States Border Patrol officer stationed at a checkpoint near Del Rio, Texas. She inspects the documentation of travelers moving across the border. During a tense inspection, she strikes up a disarming conversation with Simone about their respective daughters, offering a moment of unexpected warmth in a high-stress environment.

James is a tall, slim attorney based in the tiny desert town of Terlingua, Texas. He specializes in wrongful convictions and supplements his income by renting out a local property. When the Seaborns arrive seeking shelter, James recognizes their faces from the news but decides to hear their story, offering his legal expertise pro bono to investigate their claims.

Jon-Paul is an American delivery driver who acts as a messenger in a criminal operation. He meets Simone in the desert to execute a high-stakes exchange. When he inspects the delivered items and finds a discrepancy, he callously attempts to cancel the deal and drive away, indifferent to the captive locked in his vehicle.

Max is a British man in his fifties from Manchester who travels on the same bus route as Simone. His overly familiar behavior and use of American terminology arouse Simone's suspicions. He is also identified as an inspector who evaluated the attendees at Lucy's summer voice camp.

Andrea is a young woman living in a quiet house in Terlingua. Her residence becomes the focus of intense scrutiny as the events surrounding the Seaborn family reach a boiling point. She soon finds herself entangled in the desperate fallout of the kidnapping plot.

Kyle is a young employee at a roadside gun shop in Texas. He operates in an environment where private sellers do not require background checks. He calmly shows his customers how to operate firearms, loading them upon request before finalizing cash transactions.

Victoria is a woman Simone encounters during her ordeal who possesses a deep understanding of the justice system. She pays close attention to the people around her and uses outside contacts to gather information. She offers pragmatic advice based on her knowledge of how hidden criminal enterprises operate.

Luan is Damien's sister, who remains in the United Kingdom. She serves as an unknowing alibi for the family, accepting Damien's fabricated cover story that he is pursuing a sudden business opportunity in Texas.