Alexis is a 37-year-old emergency room doctor working at the prestigious Royaume Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She belongs to a wealthy, highly demanding family of surgeons who expect her to uphold their 125-year-old medical legacy. Having recently broken free from a toxic seven-year relationship, she is highly driven but struggles with low self-esteem and the heavy burden of familial expectations.

Daniel is a 28-year-old carpenter and the honorary mayor of Wakan, Minnesota. He manages the Grant House, his family's 125-year-old bed-and-breakfast, working tirelessly to support the town's residents. Generous and deeply rooted in his community, he prioritizes helping others but often undervalues his own worth and artistic talents as a woodworker.

Neil is the charismatic and well-respected chief of surgery at Royaume Northwestern Hospital. He is Alexis's ex-boyfriend, a man who uses his charm and societal standing to mask his emotionally abusive and manipulative tendencies. He consistently seeks to undermine Alexis's independence to keep her reliant on him.

Cecil is a retired surgeon and the highly controlling patriarch of the Montgomery family. He is fiercely protective of his family's prestige, using his wealth and influence to dictate the professional and personal lives of his children. He favors Neil over his own daughter's well-being and refuses to acknowledge Alexis's desire for independence.

Jennifer is a retired surgeon and the prominent philanthropic face of Royaume Northwestern Hospital. As Alexis's mother, she serves as an enabler of Cecil's controlling behavior, pressuring Alexis to conform to the family's rigid image to keep the peace.

Derek is a plastic surgeon and Alexis's twin brother. Having worked with Doctors Without Borders in Cambodia, he makes the shocking decision to marry and stay abroad permanently, abandoning the Montgomery legacy and leaving Alexis alone to handle their parents' demands.

Bri is Alexis's fiercely loyal best friend and confidante in Minneapolis. She provides a grounded, supportive voice of reason, actively protecting Alexis from Neil's manipulation and pushing her to prioritize her own happiness.

Liz is a bartender at the VFW and Daniel's cousin. She is trapped in an abusive marriage with a local police officer, but she finds a supportive, non-judgmental ally in Alexis, who understands the complexities of leaving an abuser.

Jake is a local police officer in Wakan and Liz's husband. He is physically and emotionally abusive, utilizing his position of authority in the small town to intimidate others and maintain control over his wife.

Doug is Daniel's best friend and a military veteran who deals with depression and PTSD. He is a steadfast presence in Daniel's life, offering blunt advice and reliable companionship.

Brian is a local Wakan resident who operates the town's drive-in movie theater. He is a good friend to Daniel and harbors quiet, lingering romantic feelings for Liz.

Amber is Daniel's absent mother who left him to be raised by his grandparents when she was a teenager. She technically holds the deed to the Grant House and frequently pressures Daniel for money, threatening to sell the historic property.

Jessica is Alexis's wealthy neighbor and coworker at the hospital. She is somewhat superficial and highly concerned with appearances, though she provides Alexis with a sounding board regarding Neil's troubling behavior.

Gabby is another of Alexis's wealthy, image-conscious neighbors in Minneapolis. Her entitled attitudes clash heavily with the rural reality of Wakan when she inadvertently books a trip to Daniel's bed-and-breakfast.

Popeye is an elderly resident of Wakan in his nineties. He is deeply integrated into the town's tight-knit community and firmly believes that Wakan possesses a magical quality that draws in the people who belong there.

Nikki, who performs under the stage name Lola Simone, is a famous recording artist. Her sudden marriage to Derek causes a major rift in the Montgomery family due to Cecil's harsh judgment of her profession.

Mike is a local Wakan resident who frequents the VFW. He enthusiastically joins in on the lighthearted bet regarding Alexis when she first visits the bar.

Hunter is Daniel's loyal, presumably deaf dog who accompanies him everywhere around Wakan. He is highly energetic and occasionally causes chaotic but harmless disruptions at the bed-and-breakfast.

Chloe is a baby goat that Daniel lovingly cares for, demonstrating his nurturing nature toward all residents of Wakan, human or otherwise.