Julia's mother who confronts Davis at the scholarship party. She reveals the painful truth that Julia had been secretly pregnant with another man's child and ultimately had an abortion, shattering Davis's final illusions about his marriage.
Danielle's mother who coaches her on social navigation and familial expectations. She warns Dani about Max's marriage, reprimands her for flirting with Maya, attempts to secure a job for her, and comforts her during a breakdown.
Kate is Beth's recently widowed mother, who relocates with her daughter to the countryside. She initially tries to help Beth adjust and forbids contact with Jody, but later changes her mind and supports Beth's involvement after Jody disappears.
The boys' mother grieving the loss of her husband. She maintains a close, sometimes complicated bond with her sons, navigating their adulting behaviors while managing her own unresolved grief. She attempts to mediate the boys' conflicts and protects her relationship with Ron.
Nancy is Donna's mother and a former professor of Max. Donna visits her after a disastrous night to discuss the upcoming abortion, and Nancy comforts her by revealing that she also had an abortion before Donna was conceived. Their conversation gives Donna emotional reassurance and family context.
Rowena is a pottery-shop merchant on Castle Creek's Main Street. She welcomes the visiting judges, presents her family's long history at the shop, and participates in the Christmas contest that Amelia and Vic are overseeing. Her scene represents one of the local businesses under review.
Mom is Jane and Bianca's mother. During rehearsal, she calls Bianca because Jane seems unlike herself and keeps watching an old romance movie. Her concern reflects the family's awareness of Jane's distress, although Bianca chooses not to explain what happened on Jane's unsuccessful date.
Adrian is a news writer married to Steven. When he pressures her to terminate her pregnancy, she cannot go through with it, and he leaves her. She becomes close to Bill while navigating her divorce, pregnancy, and feelings for Steven; after giving birth to Sam, she rejects Steven's attempt to reconcile and marries Bill.
Olivia is Alejandro's social worker, whom Juan consults when he receives the mysterious million-dollar check. She encourages him to follow its instructions, and she later begins a romantic relationship with him. Although she initially returns to an unhappy relationship with her boyfriend and warns Juan he may be deported, she eventually declares her love for Juan and joins him in a new life.
Ella Sabin is Pam's friend and Terry's wife; she and Terry have also experienced the loss of a young child. She accompanies Pam to the shelter, where meeting Lily moves her, and she persuades Terry to consider parenthood again. The couple then seeks to legally adopt Lily's unborn baby.
Jessica's mother, who raises Jessica and her younger sister after an acrimonious divorce. She permits the newlyweds to live in her home and insists that Jessica finish college, earn her degree, and use birth control. During Jessica's separation from Max, she encourages her daughter to view difficult times as a test of a strong marriage.
Polly Draper has 63 screen credits in a career dating back to 1983. Signature works include Side Effects, Dinner Rush, Oh, Hi!. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
