Ellen is a 35-year-old hypnotherapist who lives in a peaceful beach cottage in Sydney inherited from her grandparents. Raised by her single mother and two godmothers, she values connection and is eager for a long-term relationship. She considers herself self-aware and empathetic, bringing a gentle curiosity to her interactions with clients and partners alike.

Saskia is a 43-year-old town planner originally from Tasmania. After the loss of her mother and the end of her relationship with Patrick, she experiences profound grief and isolation. Outwardly, she maintains the appearance of an active, confident professional, but privately she struggles to let go of her previous life.

Patrick is a self-employed suburban surveyor in his late thirties or early forties. A single father, he balances his business with raising his son after the tragic death of his first wife. He presents as an ordinary, pleasant man who likes camping and country music, though he carries deep emotional scars from his past.

Julia is Ellen's tall, beautiful, and highly opinionated friend. Divorced after her husband's infidelity, she takes a pragmatic and unsentimental approach to romance. She acts as a sounding board for Ellen, often cutting through her friend's softer rationalizations with direct honesty.

Jack is Patrick's eight-year-old son. Having lost his biological mother when he was an infant, he easily attaches to maternal figures in his life. He is a casual, imaginative boy with an interest in natural disasters and a sweet disposition.

Anne is Ellen's elegant, sharp-tongued mother. A practicing doctor with striking violet eyes, she chose to raise her daughter independently after carefully selecting a father. She maintains high standards and frequently voices her concerns about Ellen's choices.

Colleen is Patrick's first wife and Jack's biological mother. She passed away from cancer when Jack was just a year old. Though deceased, her memory heavily influences Patrick's decisions and sets a high bar for his subsequent relationships.

David is Ellen's biological father. He lived much of his life elsewhere but has recently returned to Sydney, having been unaware of Ellen's early life. He is an ordinary, somewhat mild-mannered man trying to build a late connection with his daughter.

Rosie is a young bride-to-be and one of Ellen's hypnotherapy clients. She struggles with intense doubts about her impending marriage to a wealthy, prominent man, using her sessions to confront her true feelings.

Ian is a wealthy newspaper magnate engaged to Rosie. He is an imposing and demanding figure who becomes highly protective of his relationship and defensive when he feels his marriage is threatened.

Mary-Kate is a gloomy, sullen woman who always wears black. She attends hypnotherapy sessions but struggles to articulate exactly what she wants to achieve, presenting a professional puzzle for Ellen.

Alfred is an accountant seeking hypnotherapy to overcome his fear of public speaking. He carries childhood insecurities but demonstrates a willingness to improve himself through therapy.

Luisa is a client seeking Ellen's help for infertility issues. She is highly emotional and easily frustrated when her expectations for treatment are not met.

Maureen is Patrick's mother. She has a soft, formless physical presence and a welcoming but inquisitive nature. She holds a great deal of affection for the women who care for her son and grandson.

George is Patrick's father. He bears a striking physical resemblance to Patrick and provides a stable, quiet presence in the family home.

Samuel is Patrick's younger brother. He provides a lighter, amusing presence during family events, contrasting with Patrick's more serious demeanor.

Stinky is Patrick's bald, chubby friend. Despite his unflattering nickname, he is perceptive about relationships and openly admits his own past struggles with romantic obsession.

Mel is one of Ellen's godmothers. Along with Pip, she helped Anne raise Ellen, providing a steady stream of maternal affection and practical advice throughout Ellen's life.

Pip is Ellen's second godmother. She forms part of the devoted trio of women who shaped Ellen's upbringing, ensuring she never felt the lack of a traditional family structure.

Jon is Ellen's most recent ex-boyfriend. He was highly critical of her work as a hypnotherapist, leaving her with lingering insecurities about her professional and personal worth.

Harriet is Jon's sister. She remains in occasional contact with Ellen, serving as a casual conduit for news about her brother's new life.

Madeleine is one of Ellen's close friends. She often meets up with Ellen and Julia to discuss their lives, offering conventional advice and expressing protective concern over Ellen's new relationship.

Flynn is Ellen's hypnotherapy mentor. He guided her early career and maintains strict ethical standards, privately harboring deeper affection for his former student.

Frank is Colleen's father. He maintains a close bond with his former son-in-law and grandson, preserving his late daughter's memory with graciousness.

Millie is Colleen's mother. She works alongside her husband to maintain a loving environment for Jack while managing the delicate dynamic of Patrick bringing a new woman into their home.

Clara is Saskia's late mother. She raised Saskia single-handedly in Tasmania and her recent death from cancer left a massive void in her daughter's life, accelerating Saskia's emotional tailspin.

Tammy is an old friend of Saskia's. She steps back into Saskia's life at a critical moment, providing a much-needed lifeline of normal social interaction and non-judgmental support.