First Look – The Characters of ‘Happy Town’

For those of you who have been waiting desperately for your new Twin Peaks, you might just find that show in Happy Town. The title is perhaps the biggest misnomer since, well, ever, because that town is anything but happy. In fact, it’s kind of scary. So when you tune in for the premiere on April 28 (which you should do), you should be prepared. Yu might see sunshine and roses, but there’s a darkness lurking under the surface. Happy Town‘s first season will only be eight episodes long, but don’t worry — you should have plenty of time to get to know the characters of the town of Haplin and their strange, dark secrets. The only synopsis we’ve seen is short and to the point:

In the vein of ABC’s cult drama “Twin Peaks,” “Happy Town” is a mystery set in the hamlet of Happy Town, which had enjoyed a seven-year peace after a series of kidnappings until it is hit by another crime.

Before you decide whether or not you do want to go to Happy Town, check out the characters over the next few pages, with descriptions from ABC.

Tommy Conroy played by Geoff Stults

Life in Haplin is easy for Tommy. A life-long resident of Haplin, Tommy flies under the radar of responsibility as one of the town’s Deputy Sheriffs – which is an easy thing to do when the town has no crime and your dad is the Sheriff. But Tommy’s whole life is changing amidst the town’s first murder in 5 years. Thrust now into a world full of responsibility, Tommy quickly becomes the person the town looks to for answers. A role he is hesitant to take on, but is his nonetheless.

Rachel Conroy played by Amy Acker

Another Haplin lifer, Rachel is Tommy’s better half. An employee at the Our Daily Bread, Rachel is as smart as she is beautiful. As Tommy’s life changes with more responsibilities, so does Rachel’s. And in Tommy’s quest for the truth, Rachel finds herself more involved with the mystery of The Magic Man than she ever imagined.

Georgia Bravin played by Sarah Gadon

There is the wrong side of the tracks and then there is Cooks Ridge – where Georgia Bravin is from. But Georgia is a ray of light in the dire neighborhood of Cooks Ridge. A high school junior with good grades, Georgia manages to keep her head on straight despite horrible living conditions and an even worse father. She does so by spending most of her time at the Conroy house, usually under the guise of babysitting Tommy and Rachel’s daughter, Emma. Like most Haplin residents, Georgia has her own secrets. An illicit romance being just one of them…

John Haplin played by Steven Weber

Bearing the town’s name doesn’t make life any easier for John Haplin. John runs the town’s Bread Factory, Our Daily, which employs 12 percent of the town. He is the heir to the Haplin fortune. If his mother had her way, he’d never assume a position of power in Haplin, but with no other choices she is trying to mold John into the man she needs him to be. John is a good man, but his life was shattered when his daughter, Addie, become the Magic Man’s 7th victim. His mother wants him to move on, but being a good parent, he can’t. It’s a struggle that eats away at him and his family.

Andrew Haplin played by Ben Schnetzer

Andrew is the son of John Haplin and the town’s Golden Boy, a title he wants nothing to do with. If he had his way, he’d be out of Haplin and away from the recent madness that has surfaced. But when Haplin is your last name, it’s not your choice to make.

Henley Boone played by Lauren German

Haplin’s newest town member, Henley is drawn to Haplin by the fond memories of her recently deceased mother, who vacationed there. Henley is going to use her inheritance to open a candle shop in town.

Henley is quickly learning a lot about the folks of Haplin, but she may know more than she is letting on. How does she know so much about Haplin? Has she been here before?

Roger Hobbs played by Robert Wisdom
Hobbs is a quintessential cop’s cop. Roger is the Head Detective and number two in the Haplin Sheriff Department. So when the job of Sheriff becomes suddenly available, Roger is shocked when he is passed over by Tommy. But he’s a lawman at heart so he won’t let his pride get in the way of doing his job. Roger’s primary concern is keeping Haplin safe and if that means working for a less qualified Sheriff, then so be it.
Merritt Grieves played by Sam Neill
One of Haplin’s newest residents, Merritt Grieves hails from Manchester, England and lives at Dot Meadow’s Boarding House – much to the delight of Dot’s female boarders. Merritt came to Haplin and opened a movie memorabilia shop, a store that garners little interest from the townsfolk.

The lack of sales is of little concern to Merritt. Which begs the question, why is he in Haplin? What is his past? And why does he know so much about the Magic Man?

Eli “Root Beer” Rogers played by Jay Paulson
Root Beer is the fresh faced Deputy Sheriff and one of Tommy’s best friends. He is well intentioned but lacks the experience and swagger to be a real presence on the police force. Though his eagerness and trustworthiness make him an asset once Tommy begins uncovering the dark secrets of the town.