Irina is a 28-year-old artist and part-time bartender living in Newcastle. She takes explicit, fetishistic photographs of ordinary men she scouts in public, using her camera to assert dominance and reduce them to aesthetic objects. She harbors deep anxiety about her working-class northern background, overcompensating by cultivating elitist, transgressive tastes to establish superiority over others. She regularly consumes large quantities of alcohol and drugs, leading to blackouts that fracture her memory.

Flo is Irina's devoted best friend, having met her during a foundation art course nearly ten years ago. She maintains a secret online blog where she documents her unrequited feelings for Irina and hypothesizes about her friend's mental health. Despite occasionally recognizing the toxic nature of their relationship, Flo functions as a willing caretaker who insulates Irina from the consequences of her actions.

Eddie is a short, soft-bodied cashier preparing to train as a primary school teacher. He lacks confidence and considers himself physically unconventional, making him both bewildered and deeply flattered by Irina's attention. Desperate for her validation, he agrees to model for her exhibition while wearing a rabbit mask to protect his identity, placing himself in a highly vulnerable position.

Will is a barista and one of Irina’s regular photography models. He attempts to project a conventional, rugged masculinity by growing a beard and forcing a working-class accent, an act that Irina finds entirely transparent. Despite his outward posturing, he behaves submissively around Irina and eagerly tolerates severe physical discomfort to satisfy her artistic demands.

Yvonne is Irina’s mother, a woman who strictly polices her daughter's clothing, career, and lifestyle choices. Irina privately scorns Yvonne's conventional tastes and preference for chain restaurants, viewing them as symbols of the working-class background she wishes to escape. Yvonne expresses open disgust toward Irina's fetish photography, straining their relationship entirely.

A sallow-skinned teenager who occupies a dark space in Irina's mind. He exists as a haunting figure from her graduate school days in London, tied to a violent and deeply repressed memory involving broken glass and a bathtub.

Sera is a former classmate of Irina from their Master's program who now produces art in New York under the pseudonym Serotonin. She successfully integrated into the elite art world by adopting a posh accent and utilizing personal connections. She views herself as a benevolent patron providing opportunities to working-class talent, an attitude that deeply enrages Irina.

Remy is a young, emerging photographer whose lazy Polaroid work is featured in the Contemporary Fetish Art exhibition. He secures his professional opportunities entirely through his wealthy uncle's financial donations to the gallery. Entitled and arrogant, he expects outsized respect despite his lack of artistic merit.

Ryan manages the Newcastle bar where Irina works. A short man who overcompensates by building excessive muscle, he acts as a localized drug dealer for his staff. His attempts to exert professional authority fail entirely, as Irina openly disrespects and manipulates him.

Finch is one of Flo's former students who has become a quiet fixture in her social circle. He supplies the women with drugs and tobacco during their nights out. Though he frequently displays visible discomfort with Irina's aggressive behavior, he remains a passive observer who rarely intervenes.

Mr. B is an anonymous, wealthy private buyer who communicates with Irina through a post-office box in Belize. He purchases her most extreme and explicit photography, employing a highly formal, academic tone that contrasts with the transgressive nature of the images he consumes.

Michael is Flo's boyfriend. He holds a deep distrust of Irina, viewing her as a monster who actively damages Flo's mental health. He attempts to establish boundaries regarding how much time Flo spends with her best friend, which causes significant friction in his romantic relationship.

Born Francesca Leigh, Frank is a butch lesbian guest lecturer in feminist photography. She initially criticized Irina's student work as cruel before engaging in a six-month romantic relationship with her. The photographs from their time together represent a rare period of mutual affection in Irina's life.

Uncle Stephen is an affluent collector and major donor to the Hackney Space gallery. He financially sustains his nephew's artistic career and treats artists from northern England with a patronizing fascination, viewing them as novelties to collect rather than equals.

Jamie is a junior curator at the Hackney Space gallery organizing a showcase on Contemporary Fetish Art. He coordinates the logistics of the event, managing artist submissions and compiling materials for the accompanying photobook.

Dennis is a middle-aged man Irina recruits for her photography. He carries a criminal record for domestic violence and reacts with intense physical aggression when Irina insults him during their photoshoot.

Nigel is Irina's father. He occasionally assists his daughter with practical chores and maintenance, acting as a quieter presence compared to his highly vocal and critical wife.

Ergi is the owner of the Newcastle bar where Irina and Ryan work. He is easily manipulated by Irina's calculated displays of emotion, readily granting her a paid sabbatical when she claims she was assaulted.