Brooke
Brooke is the second oldest daughter of Polly and Lyman. She is a writer whose closest friend was her brother Henry, who she was led to believe committed suicide after he was blamed for a fire bombing that killed a man. She is about to publish her second book, a memoir about her brother's death and her parent's responsibility in causing him to become the man he was. She has brought manuscripts from her book for her family to read at Christmas time in Palm Springs.
Polly
Polly is Brooke's mother. She is a former screenwriter who worked with her sister Silda until they duo split up. She left Hollywood and supported her husband in going into politics. She is brash and no nonsense and will do anything to protect her children.
Lyman
Lyman is Henry, Brooke and Trip's father. He was a former movie star turned politician for the GOP. He loves his family deeply and desires not to cause hatred to arise between he and Brooke when she brings her memoir about Henry for them to read. He reveals a long held family secret that quickly changes Brooke's understanding of her parents.
Trip
Trip is the youngest son of Polly and Lyman. He was only five years old when Henry died, so he didn't know him. He produces a court room reality show that his sister never watches. He does his best to be the glue for the tension between his mother and Brooke, but desires to not have to be the one to figure out all of the families issues.
Silda
Silda is Polly's sister. She formerly wrote screenplays with Polly until the pair split up. She has secretly been helping Brooke to write her memoir in order to get her version of the truth out about Henry, which harms Lyman and Polly. We learn a deeply kept secret that she did not reveal to Brooke while working with her. She has gone off the wagon after 5 years sober once the horror of Henry's suicide is unearthed in Brooke's writing.
