Tully is a former television talk show host struggling to adjust to life following the death of her best friend. Once a fiercely driven journalist, she now relies heavily on prescription pills and alcohol to numb her grief. She feels a profound sense of responsibility to honor her promises to care for her friend's family but finds herself ill-equipped to handle the overwhelming emotional demands.

Marah is a young woman profoundly affected by her mother's death. Unable to cope with the loss, she withdraws from her family, altering her physical appearance and adopting rebellious coping mechanisms. She feels alienated from the suburban future her parents envisioned for her and seeks comfort among those who share her sense of emotional detachment.

Johnny is a television producer trying to hold his family together after becoming a widower. He struggles to understand how best to support his teenage daughter and his twin sons while processing his own intense grief. Frustrated by erratic behavior from those around him, he often reacts with protective rigidity, seeking fresh starts through physical relocation.

Dorothy is a woman who previously went by the name Cloud. She carries a long history of trauma and substance use that previously made her an absent parent. Having achieved sobriety, she now lives quietly in Snohomish, cultivating organic gardens while harboring the untold stories of her youth.

Kate is Johnny's deceased wife, whose death from cancer forms the emotional center of the narrative. Even in death, she remains a guiding force for those she left behind, appearing in visions and leaving behind a journal for her daughter. Known for her selflessness and strong maternal instincts, her absence creates a massive void in the lives of her loved ones.

Paxton is a troubled young man with a goth aesthetic whom Marah meets through a support group. Court-ordered to attend sessions following the death of his sister, he relies on absinthe and other drugs to dull his emotions. He encourages Marah to detach entirely from her family and previous life, positioning himself as the only person who truly understands her pain.

Lucas is one of Kate and Johnny's eleven-year-old twin sons. Unlike his older sister, he manages to process his mother's death by speaking openly about her, utilizing his memories to maintain a positive connection to her. He provides a stabilizing, relatively well-adjusted presence in his father's fractured household.

Margie is a grieving mother who essentially treated her daughter's best friend like a second child during her youth. She processes her own profound grief by maintaining a strong exterior for her son-in-law and her grandchildren. Despite the devastating loss of her daughter, she consistently extends compassion to those struggling around her.

Dr. Bloom is a psychiatrist who runs a grief support group for teenagers. She attempts to help young people process extreme loss, providing a clinical but empathetic space for them to speak. She possesses keen observational skills, quickly recognizing the potential danger in certain peer relationships.

Dr. Grant is an attending physician who treats severe anxiety and prescribes necessary medication. He displays a personal interest in his patient, exchanging life stories at a local bar and later offering practical assistance during moments of legal trouble. He extends his care beyond the typical boundaries of a hospital setting.