Eunice is a pioneering Black attorney serving as the only woman and person of color on a special anti-crime task force. She theorizes that organized crime bosses control the city's sex-work industry, a hypothesis her male colleagues initially dismiss. Balancing her ambitious career with the demands of her marriage and motherhood, she pursues the dangerous truth behind dismissed court cases and corrupt bail bondsmen.

Polly is a Russian Jewish immigrant who operates a discreet, high-end brothel in Manhattan. A survivor of factory exploitation and assault, she is fiercely protective of the women who work for her. She uses her intelligence and connections to maintain autonomy in a criminal underworld that increasingly demands her total submission to a centralized syndicate.

Luciano is a cold, calculating mob boss who takes over the city's criminal enterprises. Unlike older gangsters who rely on public violence, he organizes illicit businesses with corporate efficiency. He creates a centralized syndicate called the "Combination" to manage and exploit the sex-work industry for maximum profit, treating human beings entirely as disposable assets.

Lisle is a successful, prominent Harlem dentist and Eunice's husband. He resents the violent threats brought to their doorstep by his wife's crusade against organized crime. He struggles to support her trailblazing career when it puts their personal safety and domestic peace at risk.

Schultz is a volatile, paranoid mobster who rules his territory through brute force and terror. He uses Polly's brothel as a makeshift office, disrupting her carefully managed business and bringing unwanted attention. His violent obsession with assassinating a special prosecutor creates a dangerous situation for the entire underworld.

Dewey is a crusading special prosecutor leading a massive task force against organized crime in New York. He is ambitious and self-consciously righteous, prioritizing high-profile convictions that could boost his political career. He initially overlooks the value of prosecuting the sex-work industry before realizing it could be the key to bringing down the mob's top leadership.

Addie is a lifelong civil rights activist who lives with her daughter, Eunice. She understands the sacrifices required for public service, having spent time away from her own children to fight injustice. She provides essential childcare and moral clarity when Eunice questions the cost of her mission.

Junior is Eunice and Lisle's son. He becomes a target of mob intimidation, forcing his parents to make heartbreaking decisions regarding his safety and living arrangements.

Virginia is a young woman working in Polly's brothel. When mobsters demand she work for them permanently, she becomes a pawn in a violent power struggle. Her safety becomes a driving motivation for both Polly and Eunice.

The Lion is Polly's devoted housekeeper and closest confidante. She manages the daily operations of the brothel and keeps a watchful eye on the women who work there. She provides emotional support and practical security advice when the mob begins threatening the establishment.

Murray is a fellow assistant district attorney on Dewey's task force. He frequently collaborates with Eunice, sharing information and helping her present her findings to their skeptical boss.

Red Sadie is a defiant madam who initially refuses to cooperate with the authorities. When faced with a long prison sentence, she becomes a crucial source of information regarding the mob's control over the brothels.

Mildred is a madam struggling with a heroin addiction. Her romantic connection to a high-ranking booker makes her vulnerable to prosecution pressure, providing the task force with a vital opening into the syndicate's operations.

Pete Harris is a booker who acts as a middleman for the mob, managing the placement of women in various brothels. His devotion to his common-law wife creates a vulnerability that prosecutors exploit.

Marjorie is a courageous chambermaid working at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. She observes criminal activity while cleaning a high-profile guest's suite and decides to speak out despite the severe danger it poses to her.

Nancy is a former companion of a powerful mobster. Her proximity to organized crime leaders allows her to overhear direct orders regarding violence and extortion, making her a target for both investigators and the mob.

Henry is the manager of the Towers apartments at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. He grows concerned about the criminal elements operating out of his establishment and becomes a crucial contact for gathering independent testimony.