Samantha Hess inked a reality show development deal with the creators of Housewives of New York. That contract expired last month and the show stalled. What follows is a list of characters and episode outlines for the one-hour docudrama The Cuddlers.

Samantha Hess: Founder of Cuddle Up To Me

The woman who launched an industry

Devastated by the lack of affection in her first marriage, Samantha became a professional cuddler to improve relationships and help people rediscover intimacy. She appeared in over 300 interviews, reaching 47 million people in the past 18 months. Samantha wrote a book about cuddling that received rave reviews. She hired a team of cuddlers to launch her iconic company.

Heather: The Protégé 

A mountain climber and outdoor adventurer with a head for business

After surviving a four-step interview process that lasted months, Heather quickly developed a reputation as a workhorse. As the company expands, she plans to open new stores in other cities. A polyamorous lesbian, Heather has a background in mental health. This comes in handy given the unrelenting pace of life as a professional cuddler. 

Ray: The Doctor

A brilliant and socially-conscious African-American physician

Ray is inches away from becoming a naturopathic doctor. She works part-time at a medical clinic in Portland. A peacemaker who honors the human body, Ray soothes her clients with words of wisdom and a soft caress. Wise beyond her years, she is an old soul destined to transform lives across the city. Samantha considers her a key ally.

Kira: The Adorable Mystic 

A spiritual wanderer who loves life

Guided by the stars, deeply metaphysical yoga master Kira is the life force of Cuddle Up To Me. Originally from Florida, she sees the world through a different lens, constantly aware of the human energies that surround us. She knew she found her home the moment she touched down in Portland. Single and searching for love, will the men she dates accept her profession? 

Jake: The Boyfriend 

A quirky entrepreneur who is easy on the eyes

After a whirlwind romance, Jake fell for Samantha and is her port in the storm. He promotes a product called The Pillow Cape, a neck cushion for traveling that has a cape attached to it. The idea spring from a childhood love for superheroes that spilled into his adult life. Now inseparable, Jake works tirelessly to please the woman he loves.

Chris: The Villain 

The scheming business partner who values profits over people

A counterpoint to the wide-eyed idealism of Samantha, Chris makes sure the trains run on time. He wants to make Samantha a household name and he will stop at nothing to help her achieve global fame. Manipulative and driven, his ruthless business tactics sometimes rub Samantha the wrong way. Will his raw ambition someday threaten the company?

Episode One: “Cuddling Is Serious Business” 

The company debuts in a state of chaos

After weeks of rigorous training, Samantha is finally ready to allow her three employees to cuddle with real clients. A massive computer glitch causes scheduling mishaps and confusion. Chris angrily summons an information technology team to manage the crisis only to discover they are incompetent. Samantha channels her inner diva as she fusses over decorating the office.

Episode Two: “Backlash”

An anonymous stalker pushes Samantha to the edge

After a successful grand opening and citywide media attention, both admirers and haters come out of the woodwork. A troll bullies Samantha online, driving her to the breaking point. Chris hires an investigator to track down the troll. The identity of the culprit shocks everyone. Jake takes Samantha on a romantic river cruise to forget her troubles. Kira is pressured for a date by a client.

Episode Three: "Cuddle Con"

While promoting Cuddle Con, Samantha meets an unusual crowd

Overwhelmed by preparations for her first international cuddling convention, Samantha asks her fellow cuddlers to step up and manage the company. Chris pushes the idea of setting a Guinness Book World Record for the largest group cuddle. Samantha speaks at a promotional event only to discover her audience is a group of furries.

Episode Four: “New Recruits”

The women embrace gender equality

With more business than her team can handle, Samantha posts an ad online recruiting additional cuddlers. The response is overwhelming and the cuddlers work around the clock to coordinate the hiring process. The women opt to hire male snugglers. A client invites all four women to watch him perform at a local circus..

Episode Five: “House Call”

Kira takes the team to a yoga class

After an emotional plea from the mother of a client with ALS, Samantha opens the business to house calls. With an influx of new employees, Kira takes the group to an acrobatic yoga class as a group bonding exercise. Ray misses a client appointment when she gets stuck with a patient at a medical office. The client angrily confronts Ray, causing a scene.

Episode Six: “The Business Trip”

Heather endures a jealous rage from her female lover

Samantha and Chris hop on a flight to Miami to meet a potential business partner who wants to open a similar company in South Florida. She leaves her business plan at the office and must enlist the help of Kira to track it down in time for the meeting. While cuddling with an attractive female client, one of the women Heather is dating arrives at the office and throws a jealous tantrum.

Episode Seven: “Competition”

Mounting stress is tearing the company apart

Samantha discovers another professional cuddling shop is opening in town. Will the new company take clients away from Cuddle Up To Me? Heather, Ray and Kira are not meshing with some of the new hires, causing internal unrest. Chris finds himself juggling too many responsibilities and drops the ball on an important project. Samantha is not happy, resulting in an ugly confrontation.

Episode Eight: “Trouble on the Home Front”

Jake and Samantha find themselves growing apart

Samantha and Chris patch things up. Jake feels neglected as Samantha devotes most of her time to running her company. He demands she cancel an appointment to spend time with him and she ignores his request. Are they about to break-up? An old college girlfriend visits the office and shocks Chris with an offer he is unable to refuse.

Episode Nine: “Courting the Cuddlers”

Chris and Samantha consider selling the business

A large firm from San Francisco attempts to recruit Chris and Samantha to develop a national cuddling chain. They want to purchase the business and turn the company into a franchise. Rumors swirl that the cuddlers may lose their jobs in the transition. Samantha reaches out to her mother for personal and business advice. Jake and Samantha share a romantic dinner downtown.

Episode Ten: “Civil War”

Samantha and Chris battle for control of the company 

Ray is forced to spend more time at the medical clinic and misses several client appointments. Samantha questions her dedication. They have a heart-to-heart talk. After rejecting an offer for a corporate takeover, Samantha and Chris quarrel over the future of the company. Chris is convinced that international publicity has swollen her head. Samantha believes he is hopelessly arrogant.