Emilia is a beautiful and highly educated young woman in Elizabethan England, born to a family of Italian court musicians who secretly practice Judaism. Orphaned early, she is keenly aware of her vulnerable social status and her dependence on the nobility for survival. Despite her limited power, she possesses a fierce intellect and a passion for writing, striving to find freedom and autonomy within the restrictive bounds of a patriarchal society.

Melina is a contemporary playwriting student at Bard College who later moves to New York City. Scarred by the early loss of her mother, she habitually makes herself small and avoids putting her true self into her scripts. Upon discovering her connection to the Elizabethan poet Emilia Bassano, she channels her frustrations with the male-dominated theater industry into a play about her ancestor, struggling with her own fears of visibility and rejection.

Andre is Melina's extroverted best friend, a fellow playwright who works at a New York casting agency. He faces significant obstacles as a Black, closeted gay man operating in an industry that often overlooks his voice. He fiercely supports Melina's talent, sometimes pushing her out of her comfort zone with chaotic but well-intentioned schemes.

Jasper is a brilliant, young theater critic for the *New York Times*, known for his exacting standards. Diagnosed as neurodivergent, he struggles to interpret social cues, leading others to frequently misunderstand him as callous or arrogant. He finds solace in the straightforward nature of reviewing, though his strict criteria occasionally blind him to stories outside his own perspective.

Southampton is a handsome and passionate young nobleman at the Elizabethan court. Possessing a deep appreciation for poetry and the arts, he develops a profound connection with Emilia. However, his exalted social status and obligations at court stand in stark contrast to her precarious position, creating significant barriers for their relationship.

Lord Hunsdon is the powerful Lord Chamberlain and a senior figure in Queen Elizabeth's court. Much older than Emilia, he brokers an arrangement to take her as his mistress. Surprisingly gentle and generous, he provides her with a beautiful home and access to the arts, though his kindness is ultimately circumscribed by the rigid rules of his social standing.

Alphonso is a distant cousin of Emilia who marries her for a financial settlement. Although he shares her secret Jewish heritage, he shows little interest in the faith. He is a volatile and deeply insecure man who frequently squanders the family's money on foolish schemes and asserts legal authority over his household through physical intimidation.

William Shakespeare is an ambitious actor and playwright operating in the competitive London theater scene. Driven by a desire for fame and financial success, he is willing to broker secretive deals to acquire new material. While he eventually achieves massive recognition, his professional relationship with Emilia is complicated by matters of credit, profit, and artistic ego.

Marlowe is a brilliant, provocative playwright known for his scandalous reputation and atheistic views. Recognizing Emilia's sharp intellect, he becomes one of her closest friends and literary confidants. He survives the dangerous world of Elizabethan politics and theater with a reckless charm, providing Emilia with crucial support and encouragement for her writing.

Isabella is a voluptuous, pragmatic woman who serves as the Baron Willoughby's mistress. Tasked with tutoring Emilia in the arts of seduction and survival, she offers blunt but invaluable advice about operating in a world where women are treated as property. She teaches Emilia how to find agency and freedom within the confines of being a kept woman.

Bess is a cheerful and deeply loyal lady's maid working in Lord Hunsdon's household. She quickly becomes Emilia's closest daily companion, keeping her secrets and offering steadfast emotional support through her mistress's many trials. Lacking the ability to read or write, her life is entirely intertwined with Emilia's fate.

Professor Bufort is a faculty member at Bard College and Melina's playwriting mentor. While he outwardly encourages her to dig deeper into her personal life for her art, he uses his position of authority to make her uncomfortable, demonstrating the subtle misogyny and harassment present in the academic world.

Felix is an influential artistic director in the New York theater scene. He is notorious for exclusively producing works by male playwrights, creating a significant professional barrier that heavily influences Melina's decisions regarding how to submit her work.

The Countess of Kent is Emilia's early guardian, a noblewoman who ensures the orphaned girl receives a high-quality education. Despite her affection for Emilia, her primary allegiances lie with her own family and social standing, meaning she cannot provide the girl with a permanent home.

The Baron is Emilia's guardian following his sister's departure. He brings Emilia to court and takes her on diplomatic missions, but ultimately views her as a responsibility to be managed. He orchestrates her transition into becoming a mistress to secure advantages for himself and her extended family.

Jeronimo is Emilia's cousin and a member of the secretly Jewish Italian musician community in London. He acts as a patriarch for the family, prioritizing their collective safety and advancement at court, even when it means brokering arrangements that compromise Emilia's personal desires.

Alma is Jeronimo's wife and a maternal figure within Emilia's extended family. She helps maintain the family's secret Jewish traditions and provides practical support to Emilia during critical moments in her life, particularly concerning health and childbirth.

Mary Sidney is a wealthy countess and writer who hosts prestigious literary salons. She is highly intelligent and supportive of other women writers, showing Emilia her workshop and discussing the metaphorical invisibility required for women to participate in the literary world.

Tyce is a commercial theater producer in New York. He is pragmatic and financially driven, interested in producing projects that have the backing of influential critics or promise high ticket sales, serving as a gatekeeper in the contemporary theater industry.

Melina's father is a widower with a newfound interest in genealogy. While he loves his daughter, his emotional unavailability following his first wife's death forced Melina to become highly self-sufficient. His genealogical research inadvertently sparks Melina's most significant creative project.

Henry is Emilia's son, representing her primary reason for survival through her darkest moments. He is raised amid the tension of his mother's complex domestic life, heavily dependent on her fierce protection.