Character Relationship Map: Madison County

Characters

• James (played by Colley Bailey) — protagonist

  A college student who travels to Madison County to interview author David Randall. He witnesses the brutal killings of his friends, uncovers Erma's connection to Damien, gets captured, and ultimately...

• Will (played by Matt Mercer) — protagonist

  Brooke's boyfriend and part of the college group. He accidentally offends a local by photographing his truck, later spots Kyle's body in the river, and is subsequently killed by Damien Ewell.

• Kyle (played by Ace Marrero) — supporting

  Brooke's protective older brother who drives the group's SUV into town. He is lured into the woods, ambushed, and murdered by Damien Ewell, whose body is later discovered by Will.

• Brooke (played by Joanna Motomura) — supporting

  Will's girlfriend who survives the initial chase. She returns to town alone to seek help, only to be betrayed and murdered by Erma at the diner while locals watch.

• Jenna (played by Natalie Scheetz) — supporting

  Brooke's friend who joins the group in Madison County. She attempts to distract Damien to save Brooke but is ultimately killed during their escape attempt.

• Erma (played by Adrienne Harrell) — supporting

  A seemingly kind diner owner who secretly is Damien's mother. She provides cryptic warnings to the group, discovers James's investigation, and ultimately assassinates Brooke outside the diner while lo...

• David Randall (played by Dayton Knoll) — supporting

  A recluse author and the trucker who offered the group a shortcut. He lures James to the county to rescue his kidnapped daughter Kristen, is fatally stabbed by Damien in a barn, and is later killed in...

• Kristen (played by Katie Stegeman) — supporting

  David Randall's kidnapped daughter, initially seen waking in a truck bed. She is found imprisoned in a barn, freed by James, and successfully escapes Madison County with him.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• James → David Randall (Professional Interview Subject)

  James travels to Madison County to interview David for a class assignment about his book.

• Brooke → Kyle (Family Siblings)

  Kyle is identified as Brooke's protective older brother.

• David Randall → Kristen (Family Father)

  David reveals that he was trying to save his kidnapped daughter Kristen.

• Will → Brooke (Romantic Boyfriend)

  The group is introduced as traveling with Will's girlfriend Brooke.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• James → Jenna (Alliance Traveling Companion)

  Jenna joins James and the others on the trip to Madison County.

• James → Brooke (Alliance Traveling Companion)

  James travels with Brooke as part of the group seeking David Randall.

• James → Will (Alliance Traveling Companion)

  James and Will travel together with the college group to Madison County.

• Jenna → Brooke (Social Friend)

  Jenna is introduced as Brooke's friend and later distracts the killer away from Brooke.

• Brooke → Erma (Conflict False Helper And Victim)

  Erma tells Brooke to wait outside by her car, then sneaks up behind Brooke and stabs her.

• James → Erma (Conflict Investigator And Suspect)

  James discovers a picture connecting Erma to the killer's family and confronts her; Erma warns him that the killer is coming.

• James → Kristen (Alliance Rescue Partner)

  James frees Kristen from the barn, and they leave together in a truck.

Story Analysis

A student interview trip becomes a deadly trap involving deception, family desperation, and a community that protects violence.

Plot Progression

1. The Road Into Danger
2. An Empty House
3. The County Hunts Back
4. The Author's Bargain
5. Escape Without Rescue