Mia is a 25-year-old art teacher who lives in Chicago. As the daughter of a prominent judge, she grew up in a wealthy household but actively distances herself from her family's high-society lifestyle. Independent and rebellious against her father's strict expectations, she finds fulfillment in her teaching career and her art. When she is abducted and taken to a remote cabin in Minnesota, she must rely on her resilience to survive the harsh conditions and her unpredictable captor.

Eve is an English-born homemaker living in the affluent North Shore suburbs of Chicago. Originally from Gloucestershire, she emigrated at eighteen and gradually assimilated to the strict, status-oriented lifestyle demanded by her husband. As she searches frantically for her missing daughter, she begins to reflect on her passive role within her marriage and her regrets regarding her parenting. Her daughter's disappearance prompts her to find her own voice and challenge the household dynamic.

Gabe is a dogged and empathetic Chicago police detective assigned to Mia's kidnapping case. Coming from a working-class background, he often feels out of place among the wealthy elite like the Dennetts, but he refuses to let intimidation affect his investigation. He applies persistent, methodical tactics to track down leads, ranging from bar sketches to remote post offices. His empathy extends beyond the victims, leading him to care for the vulnerable people he encounters during his search.

James is a powerful, conservative litigation lawyer and judge in Chicago. He is deeply concerned with his public reputation, wealth, and family legacy, often prioritizing these over the emotional well-being of his wife and daughters. He views Mia's independence as a personal slight and treats her disappearance as an inconvenience rather than a tragedy. He demands strict obedience from his household and uses his authority to control those around him.

Colin is a petty criminal from Gary, Indiana, hired to kidnap Mia Dennett. Raised in poverty and struggling to pay for his mother's medical care, he accepts a high-interest loan that forces him into a life of crime to survive. Though he initially intends to hand Mia over to his boss, he changes his plan at the last minute and drives her to a deserted cabin in Grand Marais, Minnesota. He alternates between ruthless captor and conflicted caretaker as they endure the harsh winter.

Grace is Mia's older sister and a practicing lawyer. She shares her father's focus on status and career, often siding with him in family disputes. She holds a dismissive attitude toward Mia's life choices and shows little open emotional distress over her disappearance, viewing her sister's situation with skepticism rather than immediate concern.

Kathryn is Colin's elderly mother, who suffers from severe Parkinson's Disease. She raised her son as a single mother while working long hours in poverty. Due to her failing health, she relies heavily on Colin for daily care and financial support, unaware of the criminal activities he undertakes to provide for her.

Dalmar is a dangerous crime boss who orchestrates Mia's kidnapping for ransom. He operates from the shadows, preferring to hire desperate men like Colin to commit the actual crimes while keeping his own hands clean. Rumors surround his violent past and ruthless methods.

Dr. Rhodes is a psychoanalyst tasked with helping Mia recover her fragmented memories after she returns home. She uses techniques like hypnosis to piece together the lost months and provides professional insight into trauma responses.

Ayanna is a fellow teacher at the high school where Mia works. She is observant and cares deeply for her colleague, quickly recognizing that Mia's unexcused absence is highly unusual and cause for alarm.

Jason is a young architect who works near the Chicago River. He is Mia's casual, self-absorbed ex-boyfriend who shows more concern for his own potential legal trouble than for her safety when informed of her disappearance.

Canoe is a mangy stray cat that wanders near the remote Minnesota cabin. Mia takes him in to care for him, giving her a sense of purpose and comfort during her isolation.