Dawson is a 42-year-old man who leads a hermetic, strictly routine life following his traumatic upbringing in a notoriously violent family. Having escaped his abusive father as a teenager, he still carries the emotional weight of a fatal car accident he caused in his youth. He refuses to pursue romantic relationships, remaining entirely devoted to the memory of his teenage sweetheart.

Amanda is a 42-year-old married mother of three living in Durham. Though she grew up in a wealthy, status-conscious household, she was once a rebellious teenager who snuck out to see a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Currently struggling with a strained marriage to an alcoholic husband, she returns to her hometown questioning the sacrifices she made for practicality over passion.

Tuck is a recently deceased mechanic and widower who operated a garage in Oriental for decades. Deeply romantic and fundamentally old-fashioned, he spent his life honoring the memory of his wife by tending to a beautiful wildflower garden. He leaves behind mysterious, highly specific instructions designed to force Dawson and Amanda to confront their shared past.

Abee is a member of the violent Cole family and Dawson's cousin. He suffers from an infected wound and harbors intense paranoia regarding his girlfriend, Candy. He uses intimidation to maintain his status in the town and aggressively targets anyone he suspects is flirting with his partner.

Ted, often referred to as Crazy Ted, is Dawson's cousin and the most volatile member of the Cole clan. He completely ignores his pregnant wife and young children in favor of pursuing violent vendettas. He carries a deep, obsessive grudge against Dawson stemming from a physical altercation years ago.

Frank is a successful dentist operating a practice in Durham. Following the tragic loss of his infant daughter, he turned to heavy drinking, developing an alcohol dependency that has alienated his wife and disrupted his family. He often behaves carelessly, relying on others to manage his responsibilities when he is intoxicated.

Evelyn is Amanda's mother, a woman who values social standing, decisive action, and practical choices over emotional indulgence. She historically engineered Amanda's breakup with Dawson by threatening to withhold college tuition. She favors blunt advice and tough love, making her difficult for Amanda to confide in.

Tommy is Dawson's father, a brutal man known in Oriental for his criminal behavior. He regularly subjected his son to severe physical abuse until Dawson fought back and fled the household at age sixteen.

Dr. Bonner was a physician who had recently moved to Oriental before he was struck and killed by a truck driven by a teenage Dawson. His untimely death left his family struggling financially and became the defining tragedy of Dawson's life.

Marilyn is the widow of Dr. David Bonner. Left to raise her son alone under difficult financial circumstances, she advocates for social change in the conservative town of Oriental. She is the unknowing recipient of substantial, anonymous financial support from Dawson.

Alan is the adult son of Dr. David Bonner. He works a blue-collar job as a careless delivery driver and is characterized by his laidback attitude. He inadvertently places himself in extreme danger by showing romantic interest in Abee Cole's girlfriend.

Candy is a bartender at the local Oriental establishment, Tidewater. Feeling suffocated and frightened by her aggressive boyfriend Abee Cole, she silently packs her belongings and plots to skip town with her earnings as soon as her weekend shifts conclude.

Clara is Tuck Hostetler's deceased wife. Having married Tuck when they were just seventeen, she shared a profound, almost mystical connection with him. Her memory lives on in the beautiful cottage and wildflower garden Tuck built for her in Vandemere.

Morgan Tanner is an attorney based in Oriental who handles Tuck Hostetler's estate. He is meticulous and observant, taking the time to research Dawson's criminal background before agreeing to execute Tuck's complex final instructions.

Jared is Amanda and Frank's eldest child. As a college student living at home, he occasionally has to shoulder the burden of picking up his father from the country club when Frank drinks too much.

Lynn is the middle child of Amanda and Frank. She is currently attending high school while her mother is away handling estate affairs in Oriental.

Annette is Amanda and Frank's youngest surviving child. Her absence at summer camp provides Amanda with the freedom to leave Durham and attend to Tuck's final wishes.

Bea is Amanda and Frank's deceased daughter. Her untimely death years prior served as a massive destabilizing force for the family, leading to Frank's severe alcoholism and Amanda's volunteer work at the Pediatric Cancer Center.