Cassandra Pressman

**Cassandra Pressman** was one of the main characters in the first season of *The Society*, and, as a natural-born leader, initially the authority figure in New Ham.

Not long after taking control in New Ham, Cassandra was murdered by Greg Dewey, who viewed her as a problem and disliked her mayoral policies. She is portrayed by Rachel Keller.

### Before New Ham

Nothing much is known about Cassandra's early life before New Ham, other than the fact that she, at some time in her past, had surgery to deal with her congenital heart disease; meaning she had to take tablets for the rest of her life.

Her sister, Allie that she had always lived in the shadow of Cassandra, always being less important and always following her lead. Cassandra had planned to leave West Ham to study at Yale the following year before the events that landed them in New Ham.

### Control in New Ham

As a natural leader, Cassandra's initial outlook in New Ham is to take control. In *What Happened?*, she organizes search parties to scour the border for clues and a possible way to leave the new town, however, there is no luck as the entrances and exits to the town are blocked by dense forests. Hearing of this, Campbell tells the town who begin to raid the shops for supplies, much to Cassandra's dismay.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the town, Cassandra suffers from congenital heart disease and needs to take daily medication. She heads over to the pharmacy, however, finds that the prescription drugs are locked behind a locked security gate. Seeing her struggle, she is approached by Gordie, who tries to comfort her and promises to take care of her and learn more about her condition.

Hearing of the raids and the civil unrest in New Ham, Cassandra organizes for everyone to convene at the church, where she explains that they should plan for the best and work together — preserving their resources instead of stealing and looting. However, there are disagreements from Harry and Campbell about Cassandra's right to rule, which eventually results in Campbell holding her at gunpoint. However, the town agrees that there needs to be an authoritative figure, and this marks the moment when Cassandra assumes control in New Ham.

Cassandra begins to have concerns that female members of New Ham are at risk and more vulnerable than their male counterparts. Cassandra suggests that they start to enforce some rules for the town to follow. She also decides that it would be good to go through with the planned prom that Kelly suggested. Cassandra calls a town meeting to explain how things are changing in the town. She introduces food rationing, eating in the cafeteria and the *committee to go home* — a group working to figure out the situation in New Ham and a way home. However, Cassandra faces backlash from her sister, Allie Pressman, after she finds out that she is not involved on the committee. The two eventually make up in *Childhood's End*, after Allie realizes her role lies supporting her sister.

### Death

Due to her controversial laws, including that people must live together, Cassandra faces often Backlash, however, her decision to still hold the high school's prom is a popular one that gains her favor with most of the town. Cassandra organizes the prom, and during it, she shares a kiss with Gordie. Everyone seems to have a good night, and at the end, Cassandra stays behind to clean up. Emptying the trash outside, she meets a dog, to which she doesn't think too much of at first. Cassandra strokes the dog, however, it runs off, and when she stands upright, Cassandra comes face to face with someone who she seems to know. She asks the assailant what they are doing, clearly shocked, however, is shot in the torso. It is later revealed that her assailant was none other than Greg Dewey.

## Personality

Easily the strongest leader in the "society," Cassandra is a smart and resourceful person. Logical, assertive and capable of foresight, she has an incredible grasp of not only the physical dangers the group is under but also the emotional turmoil they may be feeling and can take steps to alleviate them before they boil over.

She is ready to step and is self-assured in her ability to lead the society to ultimate survival.

She is also incredibly brave. After living with congenital heart disease for her whole life, death no longer scares her and she confronted Campbell, a possible shooter, without fear and ready to sacrifice herself for her sister and all present.

She is very organized and fair, able to coordinate distraught teenagers under one banner and enforce order and security that is beneficial for all and compartmentalize to use each member's skills to their utmost. She is persuasive and can convince those around her to see the logic and follow her with certainty and tranquility.

However, Cassandra's persuasive ability can also be used to manipulate others. She is aware of her own mortality and ambient dangers and is willing to manipulate those around her to ensure her own survival though she feels some guilt, she will do what is necessary.
## Relationships

### Allie Pressman

*Main article: Allie and Cassandra*

Allie is the younger sister of Cassandra, and the two have always been very close and put each other above everyone else in New Ham. Allie, however, feels that she has lived her life constantly in the shadow of her sister, outshined by all her accomplishments. Allie persuades Cassandra to lead the town and supports her in that leadership position, however she feels hurt and betrayed when Cassandra leaves her off the committee list (which Cassandra does for political reasons). The girls have a few short exchanges following their argument but are unable to resolve their issues as Cassandra is killed at prom. Allie states after her sister's death that she wished it was her instead of Cassandra because they needed her.

### Harry Bingham

Harry and Cassandra were long-time rivals in high school, especially after Cassandra beat Harry out for Student Council President. They co-starred in their school play together and evidently have a long and complex history together. Harry doesn't agree with Cassandra's idea of democracy and hates the way the other girls in New Ham (including his on and off girlfriend Kelly) follow her. He then states in Episode 3, while under the influence, that he wishes she was dead, which supposedly triggers Dewey to murder Cassandra later in the same episode.

### Gordie Moreno

*Main article: Gordie and Cassandra*

Cassandra and Gordie begin to bond after he sees her trying to break into a pharmacy to find medicine she needs for her heart condition. He brings her home and offers to take care of her while they're stuck in the town. They become closer and Allie suspects that she's using him, which she denies. Later on, Cassandra asks Gordie to be her date to their makeshift prom, where they share their first kiss.

### Kelly Aldrich

To Cassandra, Kelly was most likely just another classmate that she knew but weren't actually friends before New Ham. They seem to bond over One Direction and creating rules in order to maintain the peace while stuck in New Ham.

### Campbell Eliot

It's unclear how close Cassandra was to her cousin Campbell, but it can be assumed that they were not, as it is hinted that most people try to avoid him. In the first episode, he seems fed up with Cassandra and Harry fighting about what they should do after discovering that they are trapped in a town with no adults, so he shoots a gun into the air, startling everyone.

## Physical Appearance

She is slightly tall and has long blonde hair with bangs and blue eyes. She has a scar on her chest. This scar is from heart surgery she had when she was younger.

## Appearances

**Season One (3/10)**
* *What Happened?*
* *Our Town*
* *Childhood's End*
* *Drop by Drop* (corpse)

## Trivia

* She was voted Student Council President in West Ham High School.
* She has a heart congenital heart defect along with a pacemaker.
* She was going to attend Yale after graduating high school.
	+ She confessed to hooking up with a guy from her orientation at Yale; his identity is unknown.
* She was the captain of the debate team, and in the drama club at West Ham High School.

## Gallery

*See also: Category:Images of Cassandra Pressman*
* Promotional
* Season 1 Screencaps