Emma is an aspiring screenwriter who put her career dreams on hold for ten years to care for her father after a catastrophic camping accident. She is deeply devoted to her family but struggles with immense guilt and self-sacrifice, often prioritizing others over her own needs. Passionate about romantic comedies, she believes deeply in the power of love stories and is fiercely protective of the genre.

Charlie is a highly acclaimed, award-winning Hollywood screenwriter who is cynical about love and despises the romantic comedy genre. Having recently gone through treatment for soft-tissue sarcoma, he suffers from a prolonged bout of writer's block known as "the yips." When afraid or vulnerable, he masks his emotions with aloofness and indifference.

Sylvie is Emma's younger sister, a recent college graduate planning to enter the medical profession. She has earned a prestigious internship but willingly offers to set it aside to give her sister a chance to pursue screenwriting. Though Emma often worries about her, Sylvie is highly competent and determined to balance her personal life with family responsibilities.

Emma and Sylvie's father requires specialized care due to a traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis sustained in a tragic camping accident that also killed his wife. He deals with Ménière’s disease, which causes sudden falls. Despite his immense physical and emotional losses, he maintains a remarkably optimistic and grateful outlook on life.

Logan is Emma's high school ex-boyfriend who now works as a highly successful Hollywood talent manager. He carries lingering guilt over how their teenage relationship ended and frequently tries to send Emma writing work. He serves as the bridge connecting Emma's quiet Texas life to the high-stakes Los Angeles film industry.

Salvador is Sylvie's devoted boyfriend. He helps out around the Wheeler household and builds a strong rapport with Emma and Sylvie's father, integrating himself naturally into their family dynamic.

Margaux is Charlie's ex-wife, who left him on the day he received his cancer diagnosis. She maintains a degree of contact with him, partly out of lingering guilt over her departure, and shares custody of their guinea pig.

T.J. is a Hollywood insider and another client of Logan's. Arrogant and well-connected due to a powerful stepmother in the movie business, he clashes with Emma and represents the cliquish, judgmental side of the film industry.

Donna is Emma's absolute favorite film director and a highly respected figure in Hollywood. She is well-connected and perceptive, representing the pinnacle of the career Emma dreams of achieving.

Mrs. Otsuka is a widow who lives next door to the Wheeler family. She spends time with Emma's dad, offering him companionship and a personal connection outside of his daughters.

Cuthbert is Charlie's pet guinea pig. Following the loss of his guinea pig brother, Cuthbert experiences a period of mourning and loses his appetite, requiring Charlie's attentive care and patience.

Lorenzo is a handsome line-dancing instructor whose class Emma attends for script research. His presence prompts a jealous reaction from Charlie during the lesson.