Lydia is a 31-year-old woman who went missing while hiking and was legally declared dead a decade ago. She returns to Bent Creek, Oregon, physically scarred and impoverished after a traumatic captivity. She seeks low-profile work and a quiet place to stay while carefully observing the husband who built a successful life in her absence. She limits her emotional reactions to protect herself and prioritizes her physical survival above social conventions.

Merritt is a 41-year-old mother who is eight months pregnant with her second child. She resides in a luxurious coastal home and curates a pristine public image as the wife of a local restaurant owner. She relies on order and routine to manage her daily anxieties. Lydia's sudden arrival severely disrupts her sense of security, prompting her to aggressively defend her family's wealth and social standing.

Luca is an aspiring restaurateur trying to save his Bent Creek dining business from financial collapse. He grew up in an abusive household before achieving financial stability and public respectability alongside Merritt. He maintains the appearance of a dedicated family man. The strain of his failing restaurants and the unexpected return of his first wife quickly fracture his composed exterior.

Delphine owns The Blessed Alchemist, a metaphysical shop in town. She moved to the coastal area from Salt Lake City after a divorce and the tragic death of her teenage daughter. She immediately offers Lydia a part-time job and a room above her shop because she wants to support someone in need.

Elsie is the young daughter of Merritt and Luca Coletto. She spends her days with a nanny and represents the stable domestic life her mother works to maintain.

Everett is the infant son of Merritt and Luca Coletto. Merritt's difficult pregnancy and his subsequent birth add physical exhaustion and emotional pressure to the household during Lydia's return.

Annette is the Coletto family's nanny. She frequently refers to Elsie as a princess, a habit that quietly irritates her employer.

Adair is Merritt's younger sister who resides in Manhattan. Merritt occasionally compares her family's potential reactions to the tragic situation surrounding Lydia.

Amber is Delphine's deceased daughter. Delphine keeps photographs of her as a teenager and allows Lydia to wear her old clothing.

Nolan Rhinehart is a detective at the local police station. He originally participated in the search party when Lydia first disappeared ten years ago.