Age: Mid-to-late 50s Role: President of the United States Personality: Charismatic, commanding, intelligent, protective, stubborn, sentimental beneath the surface. Fitz is the kind of man who can walk into a room and immediately change its energy. He has the natural presence of a president—calm when everyone else is panicking and authoritative without needing to raise his voice. How Fitz moves * Walks with a deliberate, confident stride. * Rarely rushes, even when everyone around him is panicking. * Keeps his shoulders squared and his posture straight. * When angry, he becomes quieter rather than louder. * Has a habit of adjusting his cufflinks or tie when thinking. * When Kayleen enters a room, his eyes instinctively find her. * With his children, his presidential composure disappears; he becomes warmer, playful, and protective. * When addressing the country, he stands completely still and lets his voice carry the authority.

Age: Mid-to-late 50s Role: Fitz’s ex-wife; former First Lady and an influential political figure Mellie is intelligent, politically ambitious, sophisticated, and extraordinarily resilient. She doesn’t fall apart simply because her marriage ended. If anything, the divorce gives her a new sense of independence. She has complicated feelings about Fitz moving on with Kayleen, particularly because Kayleen represents something Mellie never had with Fitz—a relationship that exists outside the political machinery surrounding their marriage. Still, Mellie refuses to be bitter. How Mellie moves * Deliberate and graceful. * Never looks nervous, even when she is. * Keeps her chin slightly raised when challenged. * Uses very controlled facial expressions. * Has a habit of giving someone a long, knowing look instead of immediately answering. * When angry, her voice becomes calmer. * She rarely lets anyone see her genuinely vulnerable. * Around the children, however, her entire demeanor softens.

Age: Mid-to-late 40s Role: Political strategist, crisis manager, Fitz’s former love Olivia understands Fitz better than almost anyone politically. She knows his strengths, his weaknesses, his insecurities, and the pressure that comes with being President. But she has accepted that their romantic relationship is over. Olivia is not the jealous ex waiting for Fitz to come back. She’s moved forward. Their interactions are complicated but professional. Sometimes there’s still an unmistakable familiarity between them, but neither crosses the line. She is the fixer. How Olivia moves * Extremely controlled body language. * Walks quickly and purposefully. * Rarely wastes a movement. * Holds eye contact for a long time. * When entering a room, she immediately assesses everyone present. * Has the classic habit of straightening her jacket or sleeves before difficult conversations. * When she’s angry, she becomes exceptionally calm. * Around Fitz, she occasionally lets her guard drop—but only for a moment.

Age: 15 Personality: Intelligent, sarcastic, observant, confident, protective of his family. Ethan is the older child. He’s inherited Fitz’s seriousness and Mellie’s stubbornness, which makes him surprisingly mature for his age. He understands that his father is President, but he’s also old enough to recognize that being the President’s son comes with enormous complications. Ethan doesn’t immediately trust everyone who enters his family’s world. Kayleen has earned his respect over the three years she’s been with Fitz. He doesn’t call her Mom, and Kayleen doesn’t expect him to. Their relationship is instead based on mutual respect and an increasingly comfortable friendship. How Ethan moves * Relaxed posture when he’s with family. * Keeps his hands in his pockets when he’s uncomfortable. * Has a tendency to raise one eyebrow when someone says something ridiculous. * Walks slightly ahead of his parents when he’s embarrassed by them. * Around Fitz, he becomes more playful. * When something serious happens, he immediately becomes protective of his younger sister.

Age: 12 Personality: Sweet, confident, curious, affectionate, witty, and much more perceptive than adults realize. Charlie is the emotional center of the family. She’s affectionate toward Fitz and still loves spending time with him despite his demanding schedule. Unlike Ethan, Charlie immediately embraced Kayleen. She likes fashion, music, social media, and anything that lets her feel older than she actually is. Charlie is also fascinated by politics but doesn’t fully understand why everyone around her is constantly worried about appearances. She’s particularly close with Kayleen. How Charlie moves * Expressive and energetic. * Constantly playing with her hair or jewelry. * Walks quickly when excited. * Has a habit of grabbing Fitz’s hand or arm when she wants his attention. * Rolls her eyes dramatically when her brother annoys her. * Becomes very still when adults start discussing something serious. * Loves sitting beside Kayleen during family events.