Casting

The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople and his daily traditions, but he's never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before. 

A no-nonsense mother of three, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety - but in frustration, she often lashes out at those around her. 

The head of the Gander Legion, with a firefighter son, who walks Hannah to her church and prays with her. 

The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town's population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways. 

An Air Traffic Controller, married to Bonnie, who tries to help his wife and the animals. 

An eager new local TV reporter, Janice is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naïve about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her. 

A local teacher at the Gander Academy and mother to a lot of children.

The head of the local union, representing the Bus Drivers. 

The first female captain for American Airlines Pilot, Beverly Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes. 

A traditional divorcee from Texas, who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he's safe, she's given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder more carefree side of herself. 

An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick's life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane. 

The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town's generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation. 

Kevin's boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave as soon as possible. 

A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he's landed, fearing that it's World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet - but instead, he ends up losing his New York jadedness. 

The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hanna waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah.