THE LONG WALK

Underneath Ray’s easygoing manner is a passionate natural leader who’s deeply empathetic. His closeness to his mother makes participation in The Long Walk a tough choice. Ray and Peter emerge as natural allies and, over time, develop a true friendship.

Exuding confidence, gregarious Peter McVries is an aspirational figure. With a deep well of empathy and grit, he’s the spiritual core of the group, even as he grapples with the ghosts of his past that brought him to this moment. The brotherly bond he forms with Ray is a catalyst that challenges Ray’s value system as the gruesomeness of the walk intensifies around them.

Called a “fitness nut” and “Superman” before the walk begins, blond-haired, jelly sandwich-eating Stebbins seems like the one to beat to his fellow walkers. He’s strong and tall with a tough exterior and also claims he hasn’t been sick in over 10 years. Full of facts and statistics, Stebbins seems to be the poster child for The Long Walk.

Having grown up dirt-poor, Arthur is more than ready to undergo the punishing demands of The Long Walk for a lifetime of riches and the fulfillment of his wish: to travel to the moon in a space rocket. Arthur’s drive to win is grounded by his gentle manner and religious conviction.

The self-appointed agitator of the group, Gary Barkovitch has a strategy to mercilessly taunt his co-competitors, while using his own camera to capture The Long Walk experience from the inside. But cracks start to appear in Barkovitch’s aggressive front after he’s targeted with his contempt and ridicule.

Street-smart, superstitious, and always ready to share an unsolicited and unfiltered opinion, Hank bonds with Ray, Peter, and Arthur to form a group they call “The Four Musketeers.” He has a deep knowledge of The Long Walk’s history and winning strategies, but will it be enough to sustain him when his body begins to fail?

Curly is the pack’s youngest member. He lied about his age to make it to The Long Walk and is plagued by leg pain in the opening stretch. Ray forms a bond with Curly as he struggles to keep up with the older, more worldly walkers.

Eager, bookish Harkness is an aspiring journalist who carries a notepad around with him during the walk to chronicle the journey for posterity. But Ray and Peter remind Harkness that to do that he’ll have to survive every last mile and — in the end — stand alone.

Parker, an Indigenous participant in the walk, exudes a tough exterior with those around him but deep down he’s homesick and scared. As the miles pass and the tensions grow, he develops an increasingly antagonistic relationship with Gary Barkovitch.

Known simply as “The Major,” there is not much known about this authoritarian true believer, aside from serving as the figurehead and originator of the grueling televised competition known as The Long Walk. Menacing behind his dark sunglasses, The Major barks slogans meant to both motivate and intimidate contestants, a ruthless enforcer whose mysterious connection to several walkers is gradually revealed.