Eligible characters

Also known as Liz

Appears from the start

The second Bennet daughter, a magazine writer in her late thirties who lives in New York. Liz returns to Cincinnati after her father's heart attack and tries to impose order on a crowded family home. Intelligent, energetic, and quick to form judgments, she is protective of Jane while managing a complicated romantic life of her own.

Appears from the start

The eldest Bennet sister, nearing forty and working as a yoga instructor in New York. Jane is warm, composed, and less confrontational than Liz. She returns home to help during their father's recovery and shares Liz's concern about the life their family has been avoiding.

Appears from the start

The Bennet sisters' father, whose heart attack brings Liz and Jane back to the family home in Cincinnati. Dryly observant and fond of Liz, he has long withdrawn from domestic conflict, leaving serious health, financial, and household problems for the family to confront.

Appears from the start

The mother of five adult daughters, intensely concerned with their marriages, social standing, and the impression her family makes in Cincinnati. She treats her husband's illness as another crisis to manage through denial and matchmaking, and her rigid ideas frequently collide with her daughters' choices.

First appears in chapter 2

The middle Bennet daughter, living at home while accumulating advanced degrees through online study. Mary presents herself as the serious, scholarly sister and generally stands apart from Kitty and Lydia's shared enthusiasms.

First appears in chapter 2

One of the two youngest Bennet sisters, still living with her parents in Cincinnati. Kitty follows Lydia's interests, including an intense commitment to CrossFit, and joins her in mocking the older sisters' advice and concern.

First appears in chapter 2

The youngest Bennet daughter, outspoken, impulsive, and devoted to CrossFit. Lydia resists Liz's attempts to supervise her and is determined to define adulthood on her own terms, regardless of the family's expectations.

First appears in chapter 11

A friendly Cincinnati emergency-room doctor who previously appeared on the reality dating program Eligible. Chip's public search for a partner makes him a local celebrity, but his easy manner and immediate interest in Jane seem more sincere than his television history suggests.

First appears in chapter 11

A highly regarded neurosurgeon and Chip Bingley's close friend. Darcy is wealthy, private, and socially abrupt. His dismissive first encounters with Liz confirm her impression that he is arrogant, even as their arguments show a strong mutual attention.

First appears in chapter 16

Chip's polished sister, who moves confidently through the same affluent social world as Chip and Darcy. Caroline befriends Liz while also scrutinizing the Bennet family and the new relationships forming around her brother.

First appears in chapter 31

A married journalist with whom Liz has a long, intermittent history. Charming and practiced at presenting himself as misunderstood, Jasper offers Liz familiarity and romantic intensity while keeping important parts of his life beyond her reach.

First appears in chapter 72

Lydia's CrossFit coach and romantic partner. Ham is a self-assured transgender man whose calmness contrasts with the Bennets' volatility. Lydia's commitment to him forces her family to confront prejudices they had previously left unexamined.

First appears in chapter 124

A celebrated feminist writer whom Liz hopes to interview for her magazine. Kathy de Bourgh is formidable, perceptive, and accustomed to being approached by people who want something from her. Her connection to Darcy gives Liz an unexpected view of the man she believes she understands.