Maddie is a 25-year-old Ghanaian British woman living in London. She serves as the primary caretaker for her father, who has Parkinson's disease. Living at the intersection of her Ghanaian heritage and British upbringing, she frequently faces isolation and professional marginalization. Her nickname, Maame (meaning "woman" or "mother"), reflects the caretaking role she has carried since childhood.

Maddie's mother runs a hostel in Ghana, having left her family in London to manage the inherited business. She is a practical woman who pressures her daughter to focus on financial stability, marriage, and faith. Her own sacrifices as an immigrant heavily inform her high expectations for her children.

Maddie's father is a former librarian and private school employee who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His deteriorating health keeps him closely tethered to his daughter, who serves as his primary caretaker. He is deeply loved by Maddie, though his illness severely restricts his independence.

James is Maddie's brother, who lives a largely independent life in Putney. He spends his time as part of a rapper friend's entourage and actively avoids the financial and emotional responsibilities of caring for their sick father.

Jo is one of Maddie's new roommates. She is carefree, outgoing, and highly experienced in dating. While friendly, Jo frequently subjects Maddie to racial microaggressions, highlighting her lack of understanding regarding Maddie's experiences as a Black woman.

Cam is Maddie's other roommate. Recently single, she enjoys going out and swapping dating stories with Jo. She is generally more aware of boundaries than Jo but tends to follow her lead in social situations.

Ben is a handsome, 34-year-old man who takes an interest in Maddie. Wealthy and charming, he cooks for her in his fancy apartment and becomes her first serious foray into the world of dating, though his intentions create complex challenges for her.

Nia is Maddie's closest confidante from her school days. Despite living far away for university, she remains deeply supportive of Maddie, offering a safe space for her to express her anxieties and fears.

Penny is a publisher at the small but ambitious Orange Tree Publishing. She hires Maddie as her personal assistant but frequently treats her with dismissiveness, viewing her more as a servant than a professional with literary expertise.

Kris is Maddie's line manager at the publishing house. She is responsible for overseeing creative meetings and has a habit of appropriating the ideas of her subordinates to benefit her own standing in the company.

Katherine is the director of marketing and publicity at Convent Garden Theatre. She struggles with her own mental health issues, making her an erratic, highly demanding, and difficult boss to work for.

Sam is a charming, empathetic illustrator who crosses paths with Maddie. He possesses a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by Black professionals in white-dominated spaces and provides a source of genuine connection.

Avi is Maddie's popular Indian English work friend at Convent Garden Theatre. She frequently encourages Maddie to move out of her father's home and pursue a more active social life suited to a young adult.

Shu is an old friend of Maddie's who drifted away due to university and her own relationship. She reconnects with Maddie, offering casual companionship and encouraging her to seek independence.

Alex is a kind, bisexual senior sales executive with a passion for photography. He represents Maddie's attempt to engage with the modern dating app scene, offering her an experience with someone who is upfront about his identity.

Angelina is a Ghanaian British therapist. Her shared cultural background allows her to understand the specific familial and societal pressures Maddie faces, particularly the weight of her cultural expectations.

Dawoud is a professional carer hired to assist with Maddie's father. He appreciates his patient's talkative nature and provides essential support that allows Maddie to seek employment outside the home.

Auntie Mabel is Maddie's father's younger sister who also lives in London. Despite her own health problems, she makes time to visit her brother, connecting with him in their native language of Twi.