Ana Smith: Beautiful, charming, smart, accomplished, and organized, she is a columnist for a daily paper. She is the “mother bee” in her thirties; her grace masks a need to control.
Robert Novum Smith Jr.: He is Ana’s golden-boy, handsome, charismatic, underachiever husband also in his thirties who is starting to search for meaning. They met in college and he has an upper-crust background. Actor also plays Sam, a Wal-mart guy.
William Lee Nothnagel: He is Rob’s conservative, well-read, well-dressed, disciplined college roommate, and Ana’s former boyfriend. He is unmarried––also in his thirties––and a history buff. Actor also plays Frank, a Secret Service Service agent.
Jennifer McClintock: She is Ana’s pretty, shy, smart, and unmarried friend with a tendency to burst out with awkward truthful comments. Despite a lack of self-confidence, she is the grounding center of the group. She is unorganized, also in her thirties, and oblivious to her own attractiveness. Actor also plays Elsa, a jaded literary agent.
Lily Louise Jackson: She is a go-getter in her twenties and a former debate captain who is on the cusp of all current trends, but can still put her foot in her mouth in social situations. She laughs at inappropriate times, is a great lover of books, and is Ana’s protégé at the paper. Actor also plays Mrs. Simpson, a retired librarian.
Alex: The new guy, who is a very smart, well-read academic who has lost his moorings and is searching for real connection. He is a professor of comparative literature in his thirties. Actor also plays Carl, an inmate book dealer.
