Ebony is a twenty-nine-year-old editor and a member of a prominent African American family in New England. She carries profound trauma from witnessing her brother's violent death during her childhood, an event that leaves her feeling constantly defined by tragedy in the eyes of others. Seeking refuge from a highly publicized heartbreak, she retreats to a small village in France to process her grief and seek a fresh start.

Isabella is a successful corporate attorney born into an accomplished, affluent lineage. She steps back from her career to care for her family following her son's tragic death. She manages the complex social reality of being the only Black woman in her wealthy neighborhood while fiercely guarding her daughter's emotional well-being.

Henry is a privileged white man from a wealthy banking family who struggles with confrontation. He possesses a genuine passion for photography that takes a backseat to his corporate career. His inability to handle the heavy emotional weight of his partner's trauma leads him to make an abrupt, damaging departure.

Ed is an engineer who secured his family's financial future by selling several patents. He is named after a pioneering ancestor and feels a deep obligation to honor his family's long history of resilience. Despite his professional success, he wrestles with private guilt regarding the neighborhood where they lived when tragedy struck.

Moses is an enslaved 19th-century potter laboring on a South Carolina plantation. He learns to read and write in secret, a dangerous skill he uses to process his immense sorrow. He channels his grief and resilience into his craftsmanship, creating a massive stoneware jar that will eventually carry a vital message.

Willis is a young enslaved man who visits a bustling port city and sees the possibility of a different life. He is observant and brave, choosing to stow away on a northbound ship with a massive storage jar. He ultimately establishes a free life in Massachusetts under a new name, anchoring the Freeman family's legacy.

Chastity is a polished, confident young white woman working as a lawyer to fulfill her parents' expectations. She maintains an impeccable public image but secretly browses real estate listings to imagine alternate lives. Her unexpected trip to France forces her to confront whether her current path aligns with her actual desires.

Baz is Ebby's older brother, a lively teenager who loves playing games and listening to family history. He understands the behavioral expectations placed upon him as a young African American man. His violent death during a home robbery becomes the defining tragedy for his parents and sister.

Kandia is a resilient woman who survives the traumatic middle passage to Barbados and the United States. She insists on internally maintaining her culture and her son's true name despite the horrific conditions of enslavement.

Flora is an enslaved woman whose joyful demeanor brings light to the brutal realities of plantation life. Her marriage provides a brief period of domestic happiness before a sudden accident cuts her life short.

Betsey is a young enslaved woman working on the Oldham farm. She adamantly refuses to internalize the identity forced upon her by her enslavers. She demonstrates immense courage by asserting her personhood in the face of horrific abuse.

Robert is a widower spending time near his grandfather's property in France. He is gentle and open to new connections, finding himself drawn to the reserved American woman staying at the local guesthouse.

Hannah is a supportive colleague of Ebby who offers her property as a quiet retreat. She believes her friend is better off without the man who caused her such public embarrassment.

Grandma Bliss is the matriarch of an esteemed African American family, belonging to the oldest Black sorority. She is strict about etiquette, keenly aware of the prejudices her grandchildren will face, and insists they record positive daily memories.

Adelaide, often called Mrs. P, is the welcoming next-door neighbor in Connecticut. She forms a close bond with the only Black family on the street and shares in their profound grief following a neighborhood tragedy.

Harris is a well-connected professional in the insurance industry. His overlapping social circles mean he holds pieces of information that bridge different groups of people.

Frenchie is a worldly Black sailor who survives the dangers of southern ports by hiding from discriminatory inspectors. He offers profound advice about looking toward better days despite carrying fear.

Aquinnah is a resourceful Native woman who settles in Massachusetts. She helps establish a thriving family homestead that later serves as a safe station for others seeking freedom.

Jacob is the vicious nephew of the plantation owner. He uses his power and status to inflict severe physical and psychological cruelty on the enslaved people living on the property.

Tucker is a colleague of Ed Freeman who displays an intense curiosity about the financial and historical value of Old Mo. His persistent questions about the heirloom irritate other friends of the family.

Gramps Freeman is Ed's father, serving as the patriarch and historian for his side of the family. He safeguards the sketches and artifacts of his ancestor Willis, passing down stories of endurance to the next generation.