Nathan Carlson

Nathan is Madeline's ex-husband, now married to the younger, serenely centered Bonnie and raising their daughter together in Monterey. He drifts back into Madeline's orbit through their teenage daughter Abigail, all easy tans and yoga calm, a walking reminder of the marriage he left and the life he built after it.

The show uses Nathan as a needle under Madeline's skin — his effortless second-act happiness curdles her insecurities without him needing to do much beyond exist pleasantly. James Tupper plays him sunny and a little oblivious, which makes him funnier and more infuriating than a villain would be.