Meet the Characters
Dr. Andrew Beck
Sports psychologist to elite pro athletes, Andrew has a gambling addiction and harbors deep traumas that begin to surface
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Andrew Beck was a golf prodigy at the age of 5. The son of Ted and Helena Beck, he was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, into a family of privilege and notoriety—although it came at a heavy price. Ted was a former Master’s Champion, and Andrew’s early talent for golf became Ted’s obsession. After being made to practice golf day and night, Andrew soon became resentful of Ted’s relentless pressure. So just when circumstances aligned for him to follow in Ted’s footsteps…Andrew walked away from the game.
Needless to say, Andrew’s relationship with his father was complicated at best. Determined to carve out his own path rather than follow in his father’s footsteps, Andrew turned to psychology. He had always been fascinated with the fragility of the psyche in high-pressure environments when everything is on the line. He combined this interest with his passion for professional sports and became one of the most sought-after professional sports psychologists in the business.
Andrew is married to Sandra Wells—his “perfect fit.”
Andrew possesses an uncanny ability to read people. He relies on “tells” to help him not only with his patients but with his personal relationships as well. His Gold Coast upbringing allows him access to the most exclusive restaurants and social functions that New York City has to offer. That, coupled with his VIP status at professional sporting events, and this is a man to be envied. But Andrew carries childhood traumas that threaten to chip away at his charmed life, and he can’t seem to get a handle on them.
Andrew might have walked away from the game, but the game is still inside him. He is still driven by a deep, and sometimes ruthless, competitive nature. It’s one of the things that he inherited from his father. He quenches his thirst for competition at the poker table in a private club called The Five Iron, where the buy-in is $500,000.
Andrew utilizes his skill for tapping into a player’s psyche as an asset in his gambling, he plays the player not the cards.
Andrew develops a friendship with the owner of The Five Iron, Fergus Mackenzie. They bond over their shared childhood trauma dealing with abusive relationships with their fathers. At first, Fergus provides the support that Andrew yearns for within a father/son relationship, but their relationship soon takes a dark turn and Andrew isn’t braced for the consequences.
Sandra Wells
Andrew’s long-suffering wife, a savvy PR exec who yearns to make her mark in the world
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: P.R. EXECUTIVE
Andrew’s wife Sandra Wells is strong, resilient, and savvy. Sandra met Andrew at the Greenwich Country Club when she was in her midtwenties and they connected instantly. Both of their families have had a long history with not only the club but with Greenwich in general. So when Andrew and Sandra found each other it was a natural fit. But to their surprise, they spoke a language that few in their circles understood: disdain for the elite.
Sandra is in business with her mother, Roxanne. They run a PR firm, Wells PR. And while Roxanne is the social lynchpin, Sandra is the brains of the operation. She knows how to make the trains run on time and her staff is more loyal to her than the abrasive Roxanne.
However, Sandra is beginning to feel marginalized and resents playing second fiddle to her highly regarded mother.
Andrew relies on Sandra’s top-notch organizational skills to keep his world in order. But when Andrew’s behavior becomes more uncharacteristic, when combined with her mother’s gaslighting, Sandra has had enough. She reaches a breaking point and begins to question her life choices.
Fergus Mackenzie
Scottish owner of an underground casino, a polished savage who exploits people’s weaknesses
AGE: 56
PROFESSION: OWNER OF THE FIVE IRON CLUB
Fergus Mackenzie is a Scotsman through and through. His father was a penniless abusive drunk whose sport was terrorizing his family. One night, young Fergus decided to take matters into his own hands, using his father’s five iron, and his life was never the same.
Now Fergus is the proprietor of an underground gambling establishment called The Five Iron. The wealthy elite are its patrons. But those who cannot pay their debts pay with their blood.
Fergus has never been able to shake his dark past, which not only landed him in jail but cost him the love of his life. His time in prison taught him a different kind of resourcefulness: he is adept at studying people’s weaknesses and learning how to “apply pressure” to get what he needs.
Like Andrew, Fergus is restless. He wants more out of life than running an underground gambling establishment. He wants to be respected and revered by the masses. Fergus has his eye on a strip of land that he hopes to cultivate into a world-class luxury casino, like Monte Carlo or Macao.
Fergus’ protégé and right-hand person is Lorry James. She is the daughter of Katie, Fergus’ one true love. And although Fergus is the closest thing to a father figure that Lorry has…he isn’t above severing ties with anyone who gets in the way of what he wants.
Fergus isn’t above severing ties with anyone who gets in the way of what he wants.
Lorry James
Fergus’ right-hand person and badass, a pragmatic Scot who always stays two steps ahead of everyone and holds her cards close
AGE: 31
PROFESSION: MANAGER AT THE FIVE IRON
Lorry James is an enigma and Fergus’ protégé. She was born in Scotland and her mother, Katie, was Fergus’ one true love. Lorry has a steely veneer and her emotions don’t betray her. She trusts no one and she holds tight to her protective armor because she never wants to feel pain.
Even though she is a stunning beauty, she is fierce and feared by the employees of The Five Iron. Lorry runs a fair but tight ship. There is no one that questions her actions.
Lorry is reluctantly attracted to Andrew, and he to her, though they try to hide it. She knows that if Fergus were to discover her feelings, he would use them against Andrew for his own gain. So she keeps a tight lid on all her interactions with Andrew.
Lamar Hayes
African American Knights star player, comedic, indulgent, and can’t get out of his own way
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: NEW YORK KNIGHTS STARTING FORWARD
Lamar Hayes is all ego but possesses a good heart and is loyal to the end. His outlandish antics and his big mouth get him into trouble on and off the court. Andrew finds Lamar incessantly annoying and amusing at the same time.
Lamar has no filter. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, and it’s the one reason why he can’t be played. Andrew is trying to help Lamar reign in his impulsive tendencies. Lamar is careless with his mouth and he is fined on a regular basis. Andrew knows that Lamar’s posturing comes from someplace deeper.
Lamar is the one patient who will consistently call Andrew at any time of day or night for a session. And Andrew will show up. But the sessions usually end up being about Lamar’s social life, or lack thereof. Andrew would fire almost any other patient for these outlandish sessions—but there is something about Lamar that Andrew respects: he actually wants to be in therapy. Lamar has deep childhood traumas that he has never spoken about. He keeps to himself and it is hard for him to let anyone in. But when Lamar is with Andrew he can talk about his true feelings without the guise of being a baller and all that comes with it.
Vladimir Poplov
Deeply loyal Russian hockey player, is aggressive both on and off the ice
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: NEW YORK SENTINELS ENFORCER
Vladimir Poplov’s nickname is “The Russian Bear” because of his terrorizing presence as an enforcer and his reputation for having never lost a fight. That, in addition to his ability to consistently protect his teammates, makes him the Sentinels’ “Ice Guardian.”
However, Vlad’s aggressive behavior infiltrates his home life and he is ordered to seek counseling. During their first session together Andrew uncovers a deep childhood trauma that replays itself on the ice. The next night Poplov puts an opponent in the hospital with a brutal beating.
Andrew is summoned to explain Vlad’s behavior and his cognitive behavioral therapy methods are questioned in front of the league brass. But not only is Andrew at risk of losing Vlad as a patient, the Sentinels’ ambitious and tone-deaf general manager promises to ruin Andrew’s career if Vlad gets suspended and misses the playoffs.
Gina Perez
Fierce Latinx former USA World Cup soccer captain, engaged to a southern belle
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, BECK SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
Gina Perez is Andrew’s “office wife.” She not only keeps business on track but is able to navigate Andrew’s world with ease, anticipating his every action. They are the perfect pair. And Andrew is a better doctor because of her.
Gina is a former Co-Captain of the US Women’s National Soccer team She was a beast on the field and afraid of nothing and no one. But her aggressive play had to come from somewhere, and one need only look to her mother for the answer. Gina’s mother could never accept her daughter’s sexuality, and it caused a chasm between them. Although Gina’s father accepts and loves her for who she is, their close relationship has put a strain on her parents’ marriage.
After years of on-field success and off-field partying, Gina had an out-of-control lifestyle, and it all came crashing down with the click of an iPhone. One social media post by a young drunk fan with Gina not only ruined her soccer career, but cancel culture almost drove her to cancel her life.
Andrew saw how talented she was, and took the chance on a ex-pro-athlete with no marketable skills. Her fierceness on the field was now fueled by a desire to clean up her life and succeed. Beck’s Sport Psychology gave her the opportunity to see her peers every day, and for those few brief moments, connecting with other athletes, she was home again.
Ted Beck
Andrew’s emotionally abusive father and Masters Golf Champion
AGE: 65
ROLE: ANDREW’S FATHER
Ted Beck is a Masters Champ first and family man second. His life has been consumed with golf both on and off the course. He basks in the glow of his fans and is committed to carrying the torch for as long as he can—which means that he is determined to cultivate the next generation Beck champion in a young Andrew. Ted’s mission is to become the first father/son Masters champions. And if it calls for sacrificing Andrew’s childhood for the cause, Ted is willing to do it.
Ted comes from a long line of emotionally removed men. He found his path with golf and expected that he would receive the accolades he craved from his own father. But no such luck. Ted grew up privileged and entitled. His ability to connect with others on a sympathetic level is shaky at best.
His narcissism infected his family’s life, and they were made to bend to his rules.
Ted’s wife, Helena, was his bedrock socially. She made him look human by proximity. But this came at a huge cost to their marriage. On the other hand, Ted’s relationship with his son Brandon was virtually non-existent. Brandon wasn’t the prodigy that Andrew was, so Ted didn’t have any use for him, except as his lawyer and manager. Someone had to handle the paperwork.
Ted’s fans were his real family. His dedication to pleasing them was what he worked hardest at. He had no idea who he was outside of the limelight.
As Andrew grew older, he became more estranged from his father. It was his way to ensure that he became nothing like Ted. The only place they spend time together is the golf course, where Ted never lets Andrew forget how he torpedoed his dream. But this time Andrew has had enough of Ted’s bullying and tells his father why he really walked away from the game… but to disastrous results.
John Palmer
A recovering drug addict who wrestles with his sobriety
AGE: 23
PROFESSION: NEW YORK TIDE’S PITCHER
Amphetamines are John Palmer’s drug of choice. His success early in his career was too much too soon, and he had no idea how to manage it.
After a tearful admission that he pitched all of his rookie season high, Andrew was brought in to “clean-up” their star rookie over the winter. Andrew’s dedication to getting John ready for spring training with intensive therapy and a stint in rehab has solidified their bond. They have an easy connection and John looks up to Andrew. Andrew genuinely likes John and respects how hard he’s been working at staying sober.
In rehab Andrew’s work with John allowed him to address his anger towards his father for the first time. Anger at being abandoned. Anger that his father was more concerned with being a friend. And every child, no matter what they say, would rather have a parent who says “no” than a friend who says “yes.”
John completed his rehab and a week before he was headed down to Tampa for the Tides’ spring training, he went to visit his father at the Manhattan luxury apartment he provided for him. John went with forgiveness in his heart and wanted to apologize for blaming his father for his addiction before he went into rehab. But John never got so say those words as he found his father, dead. This set off a whole new set of issues for John, and Andrew had to work quickly to get him focused and ready for opening day. But John is haunted by his father’s death and it shows up at a most inconvenient time.