Faye is a 34-year-old successful television writer and director living in Los Angeles. She is unhappily married and secretly attempting to secure new representation so she can leave her husband without ruining her career. Her return to her upstate New York college town for her mentor's funeral forces her to confront her complicated past, including her intense former relationship with Henry Spalding.

Henry is PT's nephew and Faye's college ex-boyfriend. He comes from a wealthy New England family and owns a cabin on an isolated island on Lake Wanika. Now married with young children, his sudden reappearance at the funeral reignites unresolved tension and complicated dynamics from his past with Faye.

Corrine is Campbell's wife and the mother of their young son, Tookie. Wealthy, polished, and deeply embedded in the East Coast elite, she projects a judgmental and aloof demeanor. She and Faye harbor a mutual, long-standing dislike for one another stemming from their college years.

Campbell is PT's nephew, Henry's cousin, and Corrine's husband. He presents the image of a charming, traditional family man who enjoyed the same privileged upbringing as Henry. He often acts as a bridge between his wealthy family and outsiders, maintaining an affable exterior.

He is a professional in the Los Angeles entertainment industry who helped Faye early in her career. As the brother of a powerful Hollywood agent, he wields significant industry influence. His marriage to Faye is emotionally and physically distant, causing her immense frustration and fear of professional retaliation if she leaves.

Emma is a young college student and the current recipient of the prestigious Granger Scholarship. She worked closely with PT before his death and has written a screenplay that she submitted to Faye for professional feedback. Ambitious and observant, she quickly develops suspicions about the circumstances of her mentor's passing.

PT was a well-regarded film professor at a small upstate New York college. He served as a crucial, life-changing mentor to Faye during her undergraduate years, helping launch her successful Hollywood career. His sudden death from a heart attack brings his former students and wealthy family members back together for his funeral.

Sarah is PT's late wife, who died just before Faye and Henry graduated from college. She struggled with recurrent pregnancy loss and depression. Her memory continues to loom over PT's property and the family's history at Lake Wanika.

Win is Corrine's younger brother and a current student at the college. He is part of the affluent social circle surrounding his sister and her husband's family, attending gatherings at the local fraternity house.

Tookie is the young son of Campbell and Corrine Holland. He represents the picture-perfect, privileged family life his parents project to the outside world.

Caroline is a rival Hollywood talent agent. Faye is secretly courting her for representation in an effort to establish professional independence from her husband's influential family.

Claire is a Hollywood executive who expresses strong interest in producing Faye's new film project. She views Faye's work as a brave exploration of female desire and power.