Jane is an ambitious writer who wins the prestigious Akadimia Prize, granting her a fellowship in Athens. As she builds a life with her husband, John, she finds herself increasingly burdened by invisible labor, managing the household and raising their child while compromising her own creative goals. She is highly capable but struggles with the societal pressures to be a selfless wife and mother, often internalizing blame for the dysfunction in her relationship.

John is a Canadian filmmaker and entrepreneur who starts multiple companies, such as Cloudberry and Polyglot. He projects an image of confidence and creativity to the outside world but relies heavily on Jane to manage his finances and daily life. He frequently expects praise for minimal effort and uses his career as an excuse to avoid domestic responsibilities.

The unnamed son of Jane and John requires constant care, routine, and attention. He is highly observant of the household dynamics and sometimes exhibits behavioral regressions in response to stress. He serves as Jane's primary source of joy and motivation.

Naomi is John's former girlfriend. According to John, she is highly dependent on him and emotionally fragile, which he uses as a reason to keep his relationship with Jane private at first. She later attends a party hosted by Jane and John, displaying lingering attachment.

Hannah is Jane's closest confidante and best friend. Having gone through her own marital challenges and a divorce from her husband of thirteen years, she offers Jane a grounded, experienced perspective on relationships and motherhood. She validates Jane's frustrations regarding the invisible work women perform.

Victoria is a childhood friend of John who lives in Calgary with her husband, Felix, and their children. She works as a legal secretary and remains in frequent contact with John. She serves as a persistent presence in the periphery of Jane and John's marriage.

Felix is one of John's old friends from Canada. He acts as a stay-at-home parent to his and Victoria's three children, stepping outside traditional gender expectations. He occasionally visits Jane and John, offering his own views on parenting and work.

Eben is an old friend of Jane who has been married longer than anyone else in her social circle. He acts as a voice of experience, offering practical, steady advice when Jane feels overwhelmed by her domestic and marital responsibilities.

Marni is a friend of Jane who goes through a parallel struggle in her own marriage. She visits Jane during a period of personal upheaval, creating a space for the two women to share their experiences of managing controlling partnerships.

Eve is John's mother, living in Alberta, Canada. She battles cancer throughout the early years of Jane and John's marriage. During her final days, she shares cryptic details about her own past and marriage with Jane, creating an unspoken understanding between them.

Jane's mother is a somewhat distant figure who struggles to provide emotional warmth. When she visits Jane and the new baby, she admits she relied heavily on a nanny when Jane was an infant. Her interactions help explain Jane's low expectations for care and support.

Jane's father is an observant presence in her life who occasionally points out the inequities in her marriage. He notices John's dismissive behavior and tries to offer Jane perspective on her worth, though Jane often brushes off his concerns.