Richard is the younger brother of King Edward IV. Unsuited to the romantic and peaceful courtly culture due to his curvature of the spine, he resolves to seize the crown through cunning and violence. He relies on sharp intellect and military experience to complement his verbal skills as he plots against his family and rivals. While he confesses his wicked intentions to the audience, he outwardly maintains a pious, humble demeanor to fool his targets.

Lady Anne Neville is the grieving daughter of the Earl of Warwick and widow of Prince Edward of Westminster. She begins the story deeply bitter toward the House of York for their role in the deaths of her father and husband. Despite her initial hatred, she finds herself the target of Richard's intense courtship.

Queen Elizabeth is the wife of King Edward IV and mother to the young princes. As a woman who advanced her own relatives to high stations at court, she faces suspicion from other nobles. She is highly protective of her children and keenly aware of the fragile nature of her political influence in a divided court.

Buckingham is a powerful nobleman who forms an alliance with Richard. He assists in managing the divided court and orchestrating Richard's rise to power. He acts as a crucial political supporter and public speaker for Richard's faction.

Queen Margaret is the widow of the late King Henry VI. Officially exiled on pain of death, she remains at court as a bitter figure who wishes to see her husband and son avenged. She functions as a prophetic voice, issuing curses against her enemies and warning others of impending disaster.

The reigning King of England and elder brother to Richard and George. He secured the throne during the Wars of the Roses and wishes to leave a stable kingdom for his young son. Stricken by illness, he feels deep guilt over his family's strife and tries desperately to mend old wounds before he dies.

George is the brother of King Edward IV and Richard. He is imprisoned because the king suspects him of treason based on a superstitious prophecy. He trusts his brother Richard to help him, completely unaware of the political machinations actively working against his survival.

Lord Hastings is a prominent nobleman and a firm enemy of Queen Elizabeth's relatives. He remains fiercely loyal to King Edward IV's bloodline and refuses to support anyone other than the rightful heir for the throne, a stance that places him in direct conflict with Richard.

The Duchess is the mother of King Edward IV, George, and Richard. She bears the heavy emotional toll of the Wars of the Roses, watching her sons turn against one another in their pursuit of power. She clearly sees through Richard's performative virtue and feels profound shame over his actions.

The young heir to the throne and eldest son of King Edward IV. He is a clever and pious boy who contemplates history and his future legacy while waiting in the Tower of London for his coronation.

The younger son of King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth. He is a mischievous child who uses clever wordplay to mock his uncle Richard.

Richmond is an exiled nobleman representing the House of Lancaster. He stands as a political rival to the ruling House of York and a potential candidate for the throne, aiming to unite the warring families and bring peace to England.

Lord Stanley is a nobleman caught in the treacherous politics of the court. He attempts to survive the shifting factions while maintaining secret loyalties against the rising tyranny.

Lord Rivers is a relative and political ally of Queen Elizabeth. His position at court makes him an immediate target for factions aiming to reduce the Queen's influence over the succession.

A relative of Queen Elizabeth who suffers the political consequences of Yorkist infighting. He recognizes the historical weight and cyclical violence of the political system.

An ally of Queen Elizabeth caught in the purge of the Queen's supporters. He faces the immediate fallout of the shifting power dynamics at court.

Catesby is an operative for Richard and Buckingham. He is used to gauge the support of other nobles and execute political maneuvers on behalf of the rising power.

A man willing to do anything for financial reward. He is sought out as a mercenary operative to carry out violent orders that other soldiers might refuse.

The daughter of King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth. She represents the continuation of her family's royal bloodline, making her a crucial figure in the political maneuvers regarding the throne.

A supporter of Queen Elizabeth who is urged to escape England and join the Earl of Richmond in order to survive the political purges at court.

A prison guard who listens to his prisoner's terrifying dreams and reflects philosophically on the instability of aristocratic power.

The Mayor serves as a public official whom Richard and Buckingham manipulate to legitimize their actions and sway the common citizens.

The deceased son of King Henry VI and former husband of Lady Anne. His death at the Battle of Tewkesbury heavily impacts the political landscape and his widow's motivations.

The recently deceased monarch from the House of Lancaster. His fall from power and death leave a vacuum that the House of York rushes to fill, creating the central conflict among the surviving nobles.

A powerful nobleman known as the Kingmaker, and father to Lady Anne. His actions during the civil wars shaped the current state of the monarchy, and his memory haunts those who betrayed him.