The youngest child of a successful businesswoman and sister to two high-achieving, type A brothers, Alex is rebellious, unpredictable, and aimless. She expects to inherit her mother’s beauty empire, but in order to receive a mystery bequest, she’s tasked with completing a “life list” of goals she dreamed up when she was 13. As she checks off each item, Alex rediscovers her passion for teaching, navigates romance, and uncovers family secrets. Through it all, she grows into the person she — and her mother — always dreamed she could be. 

Descendants

A young lawyer at a firm full of veterans, Brad is appointed by Elizabeth as the executor of her estate. It’s his job to ensure Alex completes her life list in order to claim her inheritance. Initially, Alex and Brad bicker, but over time, they grow closer, and Brad becomes a steady source of support as Alex’s list grows more complicated. 

West Side Story, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, American Horror Story

On paper, Garrett is the perfect boyfriend: charming and intelligent. He’s also Alex’s colleague at Esther House, a women’s shelter, where he helps Alex mark off one item on her list.

Normal People, The Great, Skins

The matriarch of the Rose family and leader of the beauty brand Rose Cosmetics, Elizabeth shares a uniquely close bond with her daughter. When her terminal illness returns, she knows she won’t be around to guide Alex through adulthood, so she devises the idea of the life list — and leaves behind her own life lessons in a series of DVDs.

The White Lotus, Friday Night Lights, Nashville

Samuel raised Alex — he’s the only dad she’s ever known — but they’ve been distant for years. In the wake of Elizabeth’s death, they meet up to rebuild their relationship, and Alex finds out there’s much more to their story.

Twilight, Alive, The Dark Tower

Johnny is a mysterious musician who lives in Vermont and gigs at a local bar. Alex travels to see him play — and to get some answers about her family.

Riddick, Bad Boys II, Blow

Lucas is Alex’s brother, who still thinks of Alex as the little sister that gets a pass from their mother.

Dear Edward, The Shadow Wrangler, Carole & Grey

Julian, Alex’s other brother, initially dismisses her journey and is more concerned about some of the more practical aspects of the family business. 

Past Lives, American Rust, Blue Bloods

Zoe, Julian’s wife, is sweet and supportive toward her sister-in-law. She believes in Elizabeth’s plan just as she believes in her mother-in-law’s “true love test”: the four questions to ask yourself to determine whether someone is your match. 

Charlie Says, Mapplethorpe, Imposters

Finn is Alex’s boyfriend, but when Alex realizes that he is more concerned about his zombie video game than supporting her through her grief, she crosses him right off her list.

Animal Control

Megan is Alex’s similarly wayward friend who encourages her to have fun and turn the list into an adventure.

The Moodys, The Addams Family

Ezra is one of Alex’s students at Esther House. At first, Alex struggles to get through to him — he’s angry and skeptical of her — until the list helps reignite her passion for teaching and find a way to connect. 

Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Boy and the Heron, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Catherine, who’s in a relationship with Lucas, receives a surprising inheritance after Elizabeth’s death. 

Influence, Cold in July

Nina is supposedly Brad’s girlfriend, the kind you never see and don’t quite believe exists — that is, until Alex meets her at a charity gala.

Elsbeth

Ms. Howard is Alex’s boss at Esther House.

The Book of Henry, The Wrestler