Emmett is a 28-year-old Target employee living in San Diego with severe obesity. He holds a master's degree in education but abandoned his student-teaching dreams after enduring relentless mockery from his students. Desperate for societal acceptance and relief from lifelong bullying, he documents his struggles on his blog, The True Me, and enrolls in a clinical trial for an experimental weight-loss drug called Obexity.

A strict health fanatic and a driving authority figure behind Monstera BioSciences' new weight-loss drug. During Emmett's childhood, he enforced cruel starvation diets and violently punished the boy for his eating habits. He is obsessively focused on physical purity and views severe medical intervention as the only solution to obesity.

The charismatic director of product development at Monstera BioSciences. She serves as the public face of the Obexity clinical trial, using her professional expertise to reassure prospective patients about the experimental gene therapy. She actively monitors the progress of trial participants while managing the company's public relations.

A body-positive fashion designer who shares an apartment with Emmett. She runs a plus-size clothing brand called GORDITA and aggressively advocates for self-acceptance regardless of body size. She refuses to conform to societal beauty standards and worries constantly about the physical and mental toll the trial will take on her best friend.

The education director at the Museum of Us and Emmett's former crush from graduate school. Attractive and successful, he represents the social currency that Emmett desperately wants to acquire. He initially overlooks Emmett but shows renewed interest as Emmett's physical appearance begins to change.

Emmett's mother, who often used food as a way to express affection during his childhood. Her relationship with Emmett is heavily strained by her past failure to shield him from his stepfather's strict and abusive health regimens.

Emmett's biological father, who provided a safe space for him during weekend visits away from his stepfather. He has a history of violence and alcoholism, and his relationship with Emmett fractured when he failed to intervene in the abuse occurring at Joanna's house.

Emmett's sister, who expresses deep guilt during an investigator interview about her failure to protect Emmett when they were younger. She is highly critical of Emmett's sudden physical changes and his superficial social media presence.

Emmett's half-brother. Unlike Abby, Chris views Emmett as someone who has always struggled with impulse control and a quick temper, recalling childhood incidents where Emmett reacted aggressively when provoked.

Emmett's manager at Target. He frequently humiliates Emmett regarding his weight and hygiene, treating him as an incompetent employee until Emmett's physical appearance changes, at which point Rick suddenly rewards him with a promotion.

An investigator working for the law firm Prentice & Darrow LLP. He is hired by Monstera BioSciences to compile a comprehensive background report on Emmett Truesdale, focusing heavily on Emmett's family history and past traumas.

The senior director of programs at the nonprofit organization Future Makers. She shames Emmett during his interview for an achievement coach position, implying that his body size represents laziness and makes him a poor role model for at-risk youth.

A condescending physician who processes medical clearances for the Obexity clinical trial. He dismisses Emmett's concerns about disordered eating and treats him with clinical indifference, reducing his health entirely to a Body Mass Index number.

A man from Emmett's past whom he met on the dating app Grindr. He is openly mocking and highly critical of Emmett's physical size, gaining satisfaction from humiliating him.

A friend of Chris Truesdale who operates as a black-market pharmaceutical dealer. He demands exorbitant prices for medical goods and engages in transactional arrangements when buyers cannot pay cash.

An unpaid intern working at Monstera BioSciences. Frustrated by his lack of compensation and resentful of his superiors, he becomes a weak link in the company's confidentiality protocols when approached via social media.