Joy is a woman in her early thirties who lives with narcolepsy, a medical condition requiring strict sleep regimens that heavily impacts her independence. She co-hosts a massive hit survival podcast with her best friend Benny Abbott. Following a strange and stressful recording session interrupted by high winds, Joy leaves a cryptic note and vanishes, leaving a broken window and her dog behind. Through excerpts of her personal memoir discovered on a password-protected computer file, she recounts her medical history, her rise to fame, and the increasing tension within her marriage.

Benny is the energetic co-host of a wildly popular survival podcast and a deeply loyal friend. When his co-host Joy goes missing after an argument, he takes immediate action to track her down, searching her computer and scouring her recent podcast audio for hidden clues. He operates from a place of intense emotional protectiveness, often leaping to conclusions and alienating the police in his desperate search. He relies heavily on his renovated backyard shed, dubbed the "Zen Den," as a creative sanctuary.

Xander is Joy's husband and the business-minded producer behind her successful podcast. He initially presents a charming and highly capable front, taking over the financial and touring logistics of the show to secure a massive distribution deal with Apex Plus. However, he exercises intense authority over his wife's schedule and social interactions. He strictly monitors her communications, creating a growing rift between Joy and her long-time friends.

Mallory works as the assistant producer on the survival podcast and is Xander's younger sister. She possesses a reserved, quiet demeanor that makes her difficult for the rest of the podcast team to read. She frequently handles the administrative tasks for the show, including pitching live tours to secure new distribution contracts. She shares a long, complicated family history with Xander, who acted as her caretaker during a severe childhood illness.

Luna is an accomplished lawyer and Benny's ex-wife. Despite the end of their marriage, she remains connected to his social circle and receives early word about the mysterious disappearance. She acts as a source of legal advice and practical information, stepping in to manage situations that Benny finds emotionally overwhelming. She privately assists Joy with legal preparations before the sudden vanishing occurs.

Sarah is Benny's sister and acts as his primary anchor to reality during the stress of the investigation. She arrives at his home to help him search for clues, offering a practical perspective when he begins to spiral into panic. She consistently encourages him to slow down and evaluate evidence logically, preventing him from acting purely on impulse as the media attention surrounding the podcast intensifies.

Carlotta is a neighbor who lives near Joy and Xander. She appears outside the house with her husband when a crowd begins to gather following the news of the disappearance. She observes the police presence and the growing media circus with apparent calm. She maintains a watchful eye over the neighborhood and interacts occasionally with the podcast hosts.

Emil is Carlotta's husband and part of the suburban community surrounding the Moore household. He frequently observes the comings and goings of his neighbors. He stands with his wife outside the property as the police begin their search, representing the local public's reaction to the sudden mystery unfolding in their quiet area.

Quinn is Mallory's romantic partner and the owner of a local bakery. She operates on the edges of the podcast production team but possesses deep insight into her partner's complicated family dynamics. She provides Benny with background context regarding Mallory's childhood and her lifelong bond with Xander.

Detective Keller is the lead investigator assigned to uncover the truth behind the broken window and the missing podcast host. She conducts thorough interviews at the property, maintaining a strict focus on hard evidence rather than the emotional theories offered by Benny. She questions the podcast's financial records, particularly focusing on the lucrative Apex Plus contract and a recent scandal involving a podcast sponsor.

Ted is Benny's next-door neighbor, and the two men share a deeply adversarial relationship. They have a history involving a legal dispute, leading to a hostile dynamic where they stare at each other across the property line without speaking. He frequently watches the activities at Benny's house and attempts to interject himself into the ongoing neighborhood drama.

Detective Price is Keller's law enforcement partner. He assists in securing the property, searching the residence for signs of forced entry, and conducting interviews with the podcast team. He provides backup support as the investigation expands into digital records and financial motives.

Mitali is a young woman who crosses paths with Joy in the days following the sudden disappearance. She recognizes the famous podcast host from her public profile, creating a complicated dynamic as the two women interact in an isolated environment away from the media spotlight.

Gloria is a caretaker who provides food, toiletries, and basic necessities to Joy. She monitors Joy's physical condition and acts as a supportive presence during a period of intense disorientation and physical weakness.

Philip is a defense attorney hired to represent Benny. He steps in to provide legal counsel when law enforcement begins scrutinizing Benny's actions, reminding his client that the police have legitimate reasons to view him with suspicion given the audio recordings and financial anomalies.

Potsie is the dog belonging to Joy and Xander. He is found barking alone in the yard near a shattered window, serving as the first physical clue that something is terribly wrong at the Moore residence.

Ritchie is Benny's dog. He accompanies his owner to the podcast studio and provides silent companionship as Benny spends sleepless nights reviewing audio files and reading old memoir excerpts.