An 80-year-old retired Seattle police chief who recently moved into the Sweetbay Village Retirement Residence. Revered as a local legend for supposedly stopping the notorious Beacon Hill Butcher decades ago, he maintains a commanding presence. He raised his grandson, Matt, after family tragedies, though he quietly conceals a dark, violent nature behind his celebrated public persona.

A 32-year-old successful chef who owns a popular Seattle restaurant called Adobo. Raised by his grandparents after the death of his teenage mother, he honors his grandmother's Filipino culinary legacy through his cooking. He is fiercely ambitious and protective of his business, but he struggles with a volatile temper and a reluctance to fully commit to his relationship.

A driven true-crime writer investigating the infamous Beacon Hill Butcher case for her upcoming book. Her professional research is deeply personal, as she believes her mother was one of the killer's victims years after the case was supposedly closed. Smart and determined, she takes significant risks to uncover historical truths while struggling with the emotional distance in her romantic relationship.

A retired NFL quarterback and a loyal confidant to both Samantha and Matt. He provides a calm, emotionally intelligent contrast to Matt's intensity and ambition. Having known Samantha since childhood, he acts as a protective, grounding presence who frequently offers a voice of reason.

An assistant head chef at Adobo and a long-time friend of Matt. He frequently attempts to manage the restaurant's stressful environment and point out his boss's increasingly hostile behavior. Their professional dynamic is strained by personal tensions and his own gambling debts.

A woman from California who reaches out to Samantha regarding historical murders in Seattle. She carries crucial knowledge about the past and survived a terrifying attack decades earlier. She is extremely cautious, fearful of drawing attention to herself, and easily spooked by connections to law enforcement.

A seasoned detective with the Seattle Police Department who serves as an ally to Samantha. He balances his professional duties with a protective instinct toward her, maintaining a healthy skepticism about her true-crime theories while remaining open to discovering the truth about old cases.

Edward's late wife and Matt's grandmother. A Juilliard-trained pianist, her Filipino recipes became the foundation of Matt's successful culinary career, passing down a legacy of love, nourishment, and cultural identity.

Edward and Marisol's late daughter, who died when her son Matt was an infant. Her tragic early death casts a long, unspoken shadow over the family's history and creates a lingering sense of grief.

Samantha's late mother, who was murdered when Samantha was a young child. Her unsolved death drives her daughter's career in true-crime writing and remains a central mystery in the community.

A career criminal who was publicly identified as the Beacon Hill Butcher. He was killed by a police task force, a highly publicized event that effectively closed the terrifying case and launched Edward Shank's legendary career.

The day manager at Adobo restaurant who is dealing with an abusive ex-husband and a custody battle while trying to survive a hostile, stressful work environment under Matt's leadership.

A producer for the Fresh Network who works with Matt on a new reality series. She frequently blurs professional and personal boundaries, pushing Matt to amplify his aggressive persona for the cameras.

A television producer for the Fresh Network working to turn Matt's restaurant into a reality show, focusing heavily on appearances and manufactured drama.

A personable young physician who treats Edward at his retirement community. He is highly impressed by the former police chief's historical legacy and eager to accommodate his medical requests.

An elderly resident at Sweetbay Village Retirement Residence who interacts with Edward during communal activities. He suffers from a heart condition that requires careful medication management.

A resident at Sweetbay Village known for being socially active and outgoing. She quickly develops a romantic interest in Edward after he moves into the facility.

Jason's new girlfriend, an enthusiastic and successful woman who holds a master's degree in finance and owns a chain of yoga studios.

A nurse at Sweetbay Village who is friendly, conversational, and slightly flirtatious with the residents' visitors.