The Narrator is a young British Ghanian photographer and writer living in south-east London. He works a retail job at a Nike store while pursuing his creative passions. He attended an elite private school on a scholarship and often feels out of place in predominantly white institutions. He turns to music and dancing to process his emotions.

The Woman is a dancer from south-east London currently studying at a university in Dublin. She photographs her community for an archival project. She shares a very similar background to the Narrator, allowing them to communicate easily without words.

Freddie is the Narrator's younger brother. He attends university and frequently returns to their south-east London home during school breaks. He relies on his older brother for emotional support and advice.

The Narrator's Grandmother passed away during the summer prior to the story's main events. She acts as a comforting presence in the Narrator's mind. She appears in his thoughts to dispense gentle advice and encourage him to embrace affection.

The Narrator's Father is a Ghanian man living in London. He struggles to communicate his emotions to his children and suppresses his feelings as a defense mechanism against a hostile society.

Leon is a barber who runs a shop in London. He provides a safe and nurturing environment for the Black men in his community. A recent trip to Ghana made him realize the heavy social pressures he faces living in the UK.

Samuel is a friend of the Narrator who is currently dating The Woman. He becomes visibly uncomfortable and feels left out when his girlfriend and his friend immediately hit it off.

The Narrator's Mother is a resilient woman who raised her children in south-east London. She carries heavy grief following the death of her own mother and prays daily for her family's safety.

The Woman's Mother shares an apartment with her daughter in south-east London. She is typically slow to warm up to new people but takes an immediate liking to the Narrator. She enjoys reading Zadie Smith novels.

Daniel is a young Black man living in the Narrator's community. He is friendly and appreciative of music. He represents the youth of the neighborhood and shares a brief connection with the Narrator over their musical tastes.

The Poet is a friend of The Woman who writes cyclical poetry about things left unsaid. During a photography session, they immediately sense the unspoken romantic tension in the room.

Imogen is the Narrator's oldest friend. Their friendship dates back to secondary school when she would wait for him to finish basketball practice. She provides a comfortable space for him to process his feelings.

Isaac is a friend of the Narrator who invites him to a show. He is highly observant of his friend's emotional state and deduces his romantic infatuation quickly.

Theo is a musician friend of the Narrator. When performing onstage, he transforms into a highly confident version of himself. He inspires the Narrator's reflections on the freeing power of artistic expression.