Character Relationship Map: Up There

Characters

• Martin (played by Burn Gorman) — protagonist

  The deceased protagonist who navigates the bureaucratic afterlife as a carer. Initially faking positivity in a re-start centre, he seeks promotion to reach the coveted "up there" zone. He partners wit...

• Liz (played by Kate O'Flynn) — supporting

  A deceased woman Martin encounters in a library. She can interact with the living by sharing reading materials. Revealed to be a suicide, she becomes an ally to Martin, helping him navigate the town a...

• Rash (played by Aymen Hamdouchi) — supporting

  Martin's cheerful and talkative co-worker who eagerly embraces the afterlife bureaucracy. He guides clients alongside Martin and pursues the runaway Chick. After a traumatic incident, he temporarily b...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Martin → Rash (Professional Co-worker) — Professional partners assigned to guide newly dead clients in the afterlife bureaucracy.

  Martin is assigned a new co-worker, Rash, and starts to encounter difficult newly-dead clients... They set off to find the runaway and reach a seaside...

Story Dynamics

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

• Rash → Liz (Alliance Co-traveler) — Allied companion during the group's journey through the town and garage.

  Liz joins them and they all awkwardly observe the car couple have sex.

• Martin → Liz (Alliance Ally) — Fellow deceased individual who assists Martin in navigating the seaside town and planning an escape.

  Martin meets a woman in a library, Liz, and realises he can read a book or newspaper alongside a living person... She suggests a boat.

Story Analysis

A deceased man navigates bureaucratic afterlife rules, forms alliances, and uncovers truths about death and redemption.

Plot Progression

1. Bureaucratic Afterlife — Martin navigates the re-start centre and hospital carer system, hoping for promotion to reach the coveted 'up there' zone. His colleague Rash is promoted instead, setting the stage for their partnersh...
2. Seaside Pursuit — Martin and Rash travel to a seaside town to track a runaway client. Martin encounters Liz in a library, learns about her past, and they plan an escape route using a boat.
3. Revelations & Betrayal — Chick confesses that his death was a mistake and implicates Rash. Martin confronts the lads, Liz departs with her ex, and Rash is accidentally left behind by the car.
4. Confrontation & Resolution — Martin completes his assessment, sees the path upstairs, but chooses to return and help Chick. He finds Rash in a strip club, convinces him to face Chick, and achieves closure.