Rosemary is a 24-year-old woman who recently moved from Omaha to New York City. Raised in a devout Catholic family, she aspires to be a traditional homemaker and hopes to have three children. She feels somewhat isolated from her estranged family, relying heavily on her husband for emotional support. She trusts others easily and works to create a comfortable domestic life.

Guy is a 32-year-old struggling actor originally from Baltimore. Working mostly in small stage plays and commercials, he harbors intense ambition and anxiety about his career prospects. He presents a charming, playful exterior to the world but privately obsesses over the successes of his professional peers.

Edward, commonly known as Hutch, is a 54-year-old English writer who pens adventure books for youth under a pseudonym. As a father of two adult daughters, he acts as a paternal figure for Rosemary. He possesses an extensive knowledge of local history and pays close attention to the safety of his friends.

Minnie is an eccentric woman in her late sixties who lives next door to the Woodhouses. She speaks with a brash Midwestern accent and frequently intervenes in the lives of her neighbors. She presents herself as a generous figure, quick to offer unsolicited advice, food, and remedies to anyone she deems in need.

Roman is Minnie's elderly husband, an elegant man of at least 75 years. He claims to have traveled the globe and openly expresses his distaste for organized religion. Quieter than his boisterous wife, he projects an air of cultured authority and quickly takes a strong interest in Guy's acting career.

Dr. Sapirstein is a highly regarded, famous obstetrician practicing in New York. He has old-fashioned methods and a reassuring bedside manner that immediately puts new patients at ease. He expects strict adherence to his exact nutritional and medical instructions, discouraging outside research.

Terry is a young, dark-haired woman staying with the Castavets, who took her in off the streets. Grateful for their intervention in her life, she views the older couple as surrogate grandparents. She wears a distinctive silver charm necklace containing a bitter-smelling substance that she considers a source of good luck.

Laura-Louise is an older woman residing in the Bramford building. She is a close associate of the Castavets and frequently spends time in their apartment, blending into the background of their active social circle while observing the younger tenants.

Dr. Hill is a young, conventional obstetrician. He runs a standard modern medical practice, providing typical advice about prenatal vitamins and scheduling routine blood tests for his patients.

Donald is a working actor competing for the same theatrical parts as Guy Woodhouse. His professional successes serve as a source of intense envy and distress for his competitors in the theater industry.

Mr. Micklas is the leasing agent who manages properties within the historic Bramford building. He knows the architectural quirks of the apartments and shares brief details about the previous tenants with prospective renters.