Born Leyla Afife Kamile Akarsu in Van, Turkey, Leila is a sex worker living in Istanbul. Raised in a conservative household filled with secrets, she fled to the city after facing familial abuse and personal tragedy. She is resilient, observant, and finds deep comfort in a tight-knit chosen family of five friends who accept her unconditionally.

Nostalgia Nalan is a transgender woman who fled her small farming family in Anatolia to transition and live authentically in Istanbul. She works in a club and is fiercely protective of her friends. She often takes charge of difficult situations and serves as the de facto leader of Leila's chosen family.

Sabotage Sinan is Leila's oldest friend, growing up in Van as the son of the local female pharmacist. A quiet man who works for a large corporation in Istanbul, he enters into an unhappy marriage but remains devoted to his children and his lifelong bond with Leila.

Zaynab122 is a deeply religious woman born in an isolated Lebanese mountain village. She has dwarfism, which complicates her search for work in Istanbul until she secures a housekeeping position at a brothel. She blends her Islamic faith with superstition, often acting as the voice of reason among her friends.

Hollywood Humeyra is a nightclub singer originally from Mardin, Turkey. She fled to Istanbul to escape a physically and verbally abusive arranged marriage. She struggles with her mental health and relies heavily on Leila for emotional support while fearing retribution from her estranged husband.

Jameelah is a Somali refugee raised by a Christian mother and Muslim father. After fleeing the Somali coup d'état under the promise of domestic work in Istanbul, she was trafficked into sexual labor. She is timid but deeply observant, fighting chronic illness while holding onto hope for her freedom.

Leila's Uncle is Haroun's newly wealthy brother. He uses his status and influence to act with impunity within the family home. He relies on his brother's strict adherence to secrecy and reputation to avoid consequences for his inappropriate and violent behavior toward his young niece.

Haroun is Leila's father, a patriarch in Van who takes two wives. Following the birth of his son with Down syndrome, he adopts increasingly conservative religious views. He prioritizes his reputation and his brother's standing over his daughter's well-being.

Binnaz is Haroun's second wife and Leila's biological mother. Insecure about her position in the household, she is forced to surrender her newborn daughter to her co-wife. She struggles with her mental health and provides little support to Leila as she grows up.

Susan is Haroun's first wife and Binnaz's sister. Due to her history of miscarriages, she is given Leila to raise as her own daughter. She maintains a confusing dynamic with the young Leila, caring for her physical needs while concealing the truth about her parentage.

Tarkan is Leila's younger brother, born with Down syndrome. His condition causes their father deep shame, leading Haroun to hide the boy away from the community.

Bitter Ma is the madame of a legally registered brothel in Istanbul. She maintains strict control over the women who work for her, employing Zaynab122 as a housekeeper and eventually allowing Leila to work in her establishment's prime room.

D/Ali is a young communist revolutionist and artist who recently moved from Germany back to Turkey. After stumbling into Leila's room to escape arrest, he forms a deep connection with her based on mutual respect and shared sensory stories rather than physical transactions.

The Lady Pharmacist is Sabotage Sinan's widowed mother. She is a progressive, independent professional who dresses in Western clothing and openly opposes polygamy. Her modern medical practices frequently clash with the traditional superstitions held by the residents of Van.