Brian Brewster
Age: 50 (at the time of the series premiere)

Brian comes from a wealthy family with roots in the fishing industry (cannery). His family owned property on several surrounding islands, but all that's left now is the substantial amount of property on Hope. Although no one else is aware of it, Brian is scrambling to meet the yearly taxes, and he desperately needs money. He keeps this secret because he is always concerned with his image. If they knew, he believes, he'd lose all credibility. Even his daughter has no idea of Brian's dire financial situation. Brian lives in quiet desperation, which is the reason for the desperate schemes to bring success to Hope Island and to himself.

In his youth, Brian basked in his family's fortune and respect, but thirty years ago, it all changed. Almost overnight, just as Brian was about to take his rightful place in the family business, it all started to fall apart. Through mismanagement and poor investment decisions, the cannery became less profitable. Soon there were layoffs, and property was sold on the other islands to pay the mounting bills. By the time Brian was 20, with the exception of the property on Hope Island, it was all gone. The name Brewster no longer meant what it had. His older brother simply went off and made quite a success of himself in the business world. There was always a rivalry between the brothers, and it lies at the heart of Brian's need for success.

Brian's obstacles on Hope include the fact that the island is economically depressed. There is little opportunity, so Brian must create it. He also feels tied to the island. He has this nagging belief that he must make it happen here. He must recapture the glory days. Like the football player who fumbles in the final moments of the game, Brian is forever lamenting what his life could have been like had he gotten into the "game" earlier and saved the business.

Though Brian loved his wife, he did not tend the marriage as he should have. When Molly went away to college, Susan left him. He believed it was for another man, but he will one day finally learn that it was for herself and will come to terms with the fact that it was partially his fault--not an easy thing for him to admit.

Molly came back to Hope on summer breaks and, after college, moved home for good. Brian depends on Molly and shares his innermost feelings--when pressed--to her alone. He loves his daughter and believes that his success will enable her to take her rightful place in the Brewster legacy. He is not crazy about Kevin, but mostly because no one is good enough for his daughter.

Brian's goal is to lure tourists to the island, to make Hope a tourist destination. He has planned Brewster Estates, but, though the model and the drawing indicate that all one hundred cottages have been built, there are actually only two completed. His dream of selling off all these cottages has not been realized. His zeal, however, is pretty amazing. Giving up just isn't in his nature. He will not rest until his dream comes true. His tunnel vision remains secure even with all the obstacles that stand in his way. He never does anything halfway. He does not take no for an answer, which isn't the best virtue, especially when so many people around him are saying no. People tend to not take him seriously, but when it comes to Hope Island, no one cares about it more than him. His vision of what it should be, however, is skewed. And his vision is not shared by the other Hope residents, who like it just the way it is.

Brian is the Entrepreneur of Brewster Enterprises, Brewster Estates, Brewster Tours, and anything else that will get him closer to selling his properties. He also owns the land and the buildings where the church and parish house are, but has leased it to Daniel's church for the next 10 years.

Brian brought Daniel to Hope, not so much to have a Christian church on the island, but to use him and the church to fulfill a scheme to bring tourists to the island. He simply cannot understand Daniel's reluctance. Where Daniel is all about faith, Brian is all about business.