Edward is a 12-year-old boy who becomes the sole survivor of a commercial plane crash. Placed in the care of his aunt and uncle in New Jersey, he struggles with severe depression and physical recovery while facing the overwhelming weight of unwanted global fame. He feels a profound loss of identity without his parents. To cope, he often adopts the habits and wears the clothes of his older brother.

Shay is Edward's precocious, serious-minded neighbor. She lives with her single mother and struggles to make friends at school. She provides Edward with immediate comfort, allowing him to sleep on her bedroom floor when he cannot bear the empty nursery in his aunt's house.

Lacey is Edward's 39-year-old aunt. Before the crash, she suffered multiple dangerous miscarriages, creating a heavy strain on her marriage. She unexpectedly assumes the role of mother to her traumatized nephew, offering him an empty nursery that serves as a painful reminder of her own losses.

John is Edward's uncle by marriage. He is a quiet, stoic 41-year-old man who internalizes his stress and suffers from insomnia. He acts as an information gatekeeper, hiding a tablet and bags of letters in his garage to shield Edward from the outside world.

Bruce is a mathematician moving his family from New York to Los Angeles for his wife's career. He approaches life with strict logic but feels increasingly anxious about his oldest son's rebellious behavior. He spent six years trying to solve a single equation in an attempt to earn his family's respect.

Jane is a screenwriter who flies in first class, separated from the rest of her family in coach. She uses the flight to work on a script rewrite but feels frustrated by her lack of personal freedom and time. She spends much of the flight watching and analyzing the behavior of others.

Jordan is Edward's 15-year-old brother. He uses the move to Los Angeles to assert his independence, declaring a sudden shift to veganism and pulling away from his parents. He leaves behind a private life in New York that his family knows nothing about.

Crispin is an elderly millionaire traveling to Los Angeles for cancer treatment. Accompanied by a nurse, he uses a wheelchair and spends the flight reflecting bitterly on his past. He considers altering his will at the last minute.

Linda is a 25-year-old woman moving to California to live with her boyfriend after nearly a year of long-distance dating. She takes a pregnancy test in the airplane bathroom. The positive result deeply complicates her cross-country move.

Benjamin is an injured soldier returning from duty, reassigned to a desk job he dreads. He wrestles with the memory of a physical altercation with a fellow soldier. The incident blurred the lines between aggression and physical attraction.

Mark is a 32-year-old businessman flying to Los Angeles to secure a deal. He relies on pills to manage the hangover from a blackout the night before. He carries the emotional weight of his mother's overdose and a strained relationship with his brother.

Florida is a vibrant woman leaving her husband in New York to start a new life. She believes in reincarnation and claims to remember her past lives. She views her move to California as just another rebirth.

Veronica is the highly capable first-class flight attendant. She takes immense pride in her work. She feels most powerful and in control when the plane is in the air.

Arundhi is the principal at Edward's middle school. Recognizing the boy's severe isolation, he assigns Edward a quiet responsibility. He asks the boy to water the ferns in his office, providing much-needed structure.

Besa is Shay's single mother. She maintains a practical, respectful relationship with her daughter. She eventually sets necessary boundaries regarding Edward sleeping in Shay's bedroom.

Mahira is a girl who lived near the Adlers in New York. She dated Jordan in secret before his family moved away. She represents a part of his life completely separate from his parents and younger brother.

Gary is a whale researcher living in California. He was expecting Linda to move in with him on the day of the crash. He later approaches Edward searching for answers.

Dr. Mike is the therapist tasked with helping Edward process the crash. He attempts to guide the boy out of his emotional stagnation. He constantly challenges his patient's assumptions about recovery.

Jax is Mark's carefree brother. He inherits Mark's entire fortune after the crash. He decides to forward the millions directly to Edward.

Louisa is Crispin's elderly widow. She tracks down Edward after an official hearing in Washington, DC. She firmly demands ongoing contact with the survivor.