Wakefield

Howard Wakefield is a successful attorney in New York City who disappears into his garage attic after a power outage. He initially enjoys freedom from the marriage, then becomes introspective and confronts his jealousy and resentment. His arc moves from selfishness toward a more nuanced understanding of his family and what he values. By the end, he considers returning not as the same man but with a new understanding.

An art curator and former dancer, Diana is Howard's wife who resents his flirtations and the uneasy dynamic in their marriage. When Howard disappears, she must manage the household, face her own desires, and decide what fidelity means for her life. Her perspective evolves as she weighs independence against commitment, and the possibility of romance with the memory of the past.

Taylor is the older daughter who witnesses her father's disappearance and the upheaval that follows. She navigates the tense shift in family life with a mix of curiosity and resilience, offering a child’s precise, honest view of the changes at home.

Giselle is the younger daughter who experiences the family disruption from a child’s vantage point, absorbing the tension and changes around her while maintaining a quiet resilience.

Dr. Sondervan is the neighbor who runs a small home for mentally disabled youth and becomes a practical link to Howard's world outside the house. He provides access to the attic and offers compassionate, steady support within the community.

Babs is Diana's overbearing mother-in-law, a voice of tradition who pressures the family while also offering protection and care. Her presence complicates decisions about trust and loyalty as the story unfolds.

Dirk Morrison is a sharp, competitive Wall Street trader whose past romance with Diana adds moral ambiguity to the present. His reappearance challenges Diana's choices and keeps memory alive in the wake of Howard's disappearance.

Herbert is a resident at Dr. Sondervan's home who discovers Howard and follows him back to the attic, providing a window into the lives of the residents and their curiosity.

Emily is another resident at Dr. Sondervan's home who becomes part of the broader community around Howard's disappearance, reflecting themes of friendship and identity among the residents.

Victoria Bruno appears as a city neighbor, contributing to the realistic urban backdrop; she offers occasional, low-key glimpses into the neighborhood as the family drama unfolds.