Rita Hanson

Overview… a TV producer at a local Pittsburgh news station. Today she has the unfortunate assignment of working with Phil Connors, the most difficult and self-centered news anchor at WPBH-TV 9. Rita and Phil travel to Punxsutawney, Pa., for the annual Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2nd. What Rita doesn’t realize is that this Groundhog Day will continue repeating on a time loop until Phil – the only one who’s aware of the loop – can figure out a way to break it. 

Personality… smart, self-assured, and generous. Rita loves 19th century French poetry, she is always kind to strangers, and she loves the feeling of community in the town of Punxsutawney. Rita hates that Phil is constantly so cynical and rude to everyone, and she’s completely uninterested by Phil’s advances. At least, she’s uninterested until he unexpectedly begins showing his compassionate side – thanks to the hundreds of “days” he’s had today alone to practice.