The Leftovers takes place three years after a global event in which many people disappeared, known as the “Sudden Departure”, which caused the unexplainable disappearance of 140 million people, 2% of the world's population.
The story focuses primarily on the Garvey family and their acquaintances in the fictional town of Mapleton, New York. Kevin Garvey is the Chief of Police. His wife, Laurie, has joined a cult called the “Guilty Remnant”. Their son, Tommy, has left home for college while their daughter Jill, is acting out.