Daniel’s Daughter

Daniel’s Daughter

Year: 2008

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

DramaTV MovieRomance

When a woman learns that her father has passed away, she must confront the past (and the town) she left behind.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Daniel’s Daughter (2008)

Trace every key event in Daniel’s Daughter (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Cate's mother dies; she is sent to relatives

In 1982, Cate Mandighan's mother Marie dies. Her father decides to send young Cate to live with relatives overseas she has never met, promising to look for her someday and asking her to journal daily.

1982 New Kerry, Massachusetts
2

Cate becomes NYC editor-in-chief and gets engaged

Twenty-six years later, Cate is the editor-in-chief of a popular lifestyle magazine in New York City, using her platform to help women with problems. She is engaged to Stewart, an older media tycoon with two grown children, but she struggles with his refusal to have more children.

Circa 2008 New York City
3

Father's death; the ash scattering instruction arrives

Cate receives a package from her father, who has recently died. In the letter, he expresses regret for never having looked her up and asks her to scatter his ashes in New Kerry with his friends Cavanaugh and Donahue, two Irish singers, in his presence.

Late 2000s New York City
4

Cate contemplates the request and resists

She initially refuses to fulfill her father's request, feeling abandoned by him and unsure about returning to New Kerry. The conflict highlights the emotional distance between them and the pull of her current life.

Late 2000s New York City
5

Cate decides to return to New Kerry

Ultimately she decides to go back to New Kerry to honor her father's wish, aided by her loyal personal assistant Jeffrey. This decision marks a shift from her polished NYC life to confronting family history.

Late 2000s New Kerry, Massachusetts
6

Cate meets Connor Bailey

Back in New Kerry, Cate struggles with small-town life and social expectations. There she meets Connor Bailey, a man who makes her question what she really wants.

Late 2000s New Kerry, Massachusetts
7

Love grows but Cate resists

Cate and Connor fall in love, but she resists fully embracing her feelings, still haunted by her engagement to Stewart and fear of changing her life. Her internal conflict keeps her from fully committing.

Late 2000s New Kerry, Massachusetts
8

She works to fulfill the wish and mend old ties

She focuses on her father's last wish and tries to reconcile the estranged friendship between Cavanaugh and Donahue, despite their reluctance to be in the same room. In the process, she grows closer to Connor.

Late 2000s New Kerry, Massachusetts
9

Ashes scatter in New Kerry

Cate fulfills the final wish by scattering her father's ashes with Cavanaugh and Donahue in his presence, bringing closure to the family saga. The act deepens her connection to the town and to Connor.

Late 2000s New Kerry, Massachusetts
10

Cate returns to New York City

Having completed the trip back home, Cate returns to NYC, carrying the lessons from New Kerry and ready to redefine her life.

Late 2000s New York City
11

Connor follows to NYC and confesses love

Connor unexpectedly visits Cate in New York, declaring that he is in love with her and wants to be with her. He makes it clear he believes their future lies together.

Early 2010s New York City
12

Stewart's arrival and the new future

As Cate is about to kiss Connor, Stewart arrives. He is not angry about her choice and leaves, signaling that Cate and Connor are free to be together.

Early 2010s New York City

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:12

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Daniel’s Daughter Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Daniel’s Daughter

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More About Daniel’s Daughter

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