Joel is a survivor in post-apocalyptic America that had been ravaged by the Cordyceps infection. His only daughter, Sarah, died in the early stages of the outbreak, and he became a ruthless & cynical smuggler, partnering  with a woman named Tess Servopoulos.

Despite a cold, aloof demeanour, he is still traumatized and vulnerable. Distant at first, but warming up to people over quite some time.

He’s his early 50s, is from Texas, speaks in a southern drawl, and has a brother named Tommy.