Augusta is an aspiring, working-class ceramicist who recently completed an art residency in Rome and works as an aide and dog-walker for Anna. She struggles with the fallout of an early romantic relationship that was ended by her conservative parents, leaving her eager for connection and validation. She recounts the events of the trial while reflecting on her time in Italy.

Jean is an enigmatic therapist whose practice involves memory retrieval and trauma processing. She sues Anna Finbow for defamation after Anna publicly accuses her of running a cult. Highly persuasive, Jean frequently blurs the lines between friendship and professional care with the people she meets.

Mary is an affluent art student studying portraiture at the Melrose Academy in Rome. As the daughter of a celebrity chef, she feels suffocated by her parents' expectations and public profile. She relies heavily on her therapist, Jean, in her attempt to distance herself from her family.

Anna is a famous celebrity chef, ceramicist, and former rock musician. She is desperate to reunite with her estranged daughter, Mary. Her impulsive grief culminates in a highly publicized newsletter that triggers a massive defamation lawsuit from Mary's therapist.

Lucy is a distressed mother attending the defamation trial. Because her own daughter was treated by Jean Guest and subsequently cut ties with their family, Lucy is highly invested in the trial's outcome and serves as a vocal critic of Jean's therapeutic practices.

Lawrence is a well-known artist and an influential mentor at the prestigious Melrose Academy in Rome. He is a longtime friend of the Finbow family who exercises strict rules and harsh criticism over his students' painting techniques.

Bonamy is Anna's husband and Mary's father. He attempts to manage the intense stress of the defamation trial while privately struggling with his inability to reach his estranged daughter, whom he occasionally spots on the streets of London.

Oriel is Lucy's daughter and a former therapy client of Jean Guest. She experienced an estrangement from her family that closely mirrors Mary Finbow's situation.

Ms. Ibrahim is Jean Guest's defense lawyer. She is sharp and strategic, aiming to frame Anna's actions as defamatory outbursts born of a refusal to accept her adult daughter's independence.

Ms. Carr is Anna Finbow's lawyer. She seeks to prove that Anna's newsletter was factually true by exposing the questionable methods of Jean's unregulated therapeutic practice.

Polly is a former schoolmate of Augusta. Their early teenage romance was forcefully ended by the administration at their conservative religious school, leaving a lasting psychological impact on Augusta.

Bernard is Augusta's legal support worker. He provides guidance and reviews correspondence to help her handle the complexities of her eventual involvement in the highly publicized trial.

Beaker is a high-profile American actor and Mary's godfather. He supports Mary's artistic endeavors and provides her with a lavish hotel suite during his visits to Rome.

Clover is Anna Finbow's assistant. She helps organize Anna's schedule and advises new hires on how to manage their famous employer's expectations.

Quill is Anna Finbow's pet dog. His daily walks provide Augusta with a reliable routine and the pretext to spend extended periods inside Anna's household.

Decca is an art student in Rome and one of Mary's close friends. She helps convince Augusta to try modeling for their portraiture classes.

Cleo is one of Mary's friends in Rome and the twin sister to Bea. She participates in the vibrant social life of the art school students.

Bea is an art student in Rome and the twin sister to Cleo. She forms part of Mary's tight-knit group of friends at the academy.