Maurice is a handsome young man from a farming family who desperately wants to be a celebrated author. He possesses immense personal charm and a talent for making older, established writers feel important. He struggles with generating original plots, driving him to climb the literary ladder by securing mentors and absorbing their life experiences for his own material.

Erich is an aging, German-born Cambridge professor experiencing a surge of late-career fame for his novel *Dread*. He is intensely lonely and carries heavy guilt from his youth in Nazi Germany. When he meets Maurice, he becomes infatuated and hires the young man as an assistant, seeing an opportunity for companionship and a willing listener for his dark history.

Edith is a talented novelist whose debut book, *Fear*, earned her critical and commercial acclaim. She works as a creative writing teacher at a university to supplement her income while drafting her second novel. Her natural artistic gifts often create tension in her home, as she must manage her husband's frequent bouts of professional jealousy.

Theo is a university student conducting research on Maurice Swift's literary career. He arranges to meet the older author in various London pubs to discuss literature and ambition. He proves to be a sharp, knowledgeable interviewer who knows exactly how to prompt his subject into lengthy discussions.

A fictionalized version of the real-life American author, Gore lives a comfortable life at his estate. He possesses a cynical, worldly wisdom and views the literary establishment with a critical eye. Unlike others who fall for Maurice's charm, Gore quickly assesses the young man's true intentions and refuses to be manipulated.

Dash is an American writer and magazine editor with valuable connections in the publishing industry. He becomes infatuated with Maurice and uses his professional influence to help the younger man publish his early work.

Oskar is a vibrant young painter who forms a close bond with Erich Ackermann during their youth in pre-war Germany. He shares Erich's disdain for the rising Nazi regime and features heavily in the stories Erich recounts to Maurice.

Daniel is Maurice's young son, born via a surrogate. He represents Maurice's long-held ambition to have a child and leave a biological legacy.

Alysse is Oskar Gött's girlfriend in pre-war Germany. Because she has Jewish ancestry, she lives under constant threat from the ascending Nazi regime and hopes to escape the country.

Rebecca is Edith's sister. She is engaged in a highly contentious custody battle over her children and frequently pressures Edith to take her side in legal disputes.

Robert is Rebecca's estranged husband. He desperately wants to maintain access to his children amidst a bitter divorce and attempts to use Edith as a mediator.

Garrett is an eager creative writing student in Edith's class. He unintentionally offends Maurice by failing to remember the title of Maurice's novel.

Nicholas is a university student who deeply admires Edith's writing. He is bold enough to tell her that her work is superior to her husband's.