Homer is an intelligent, self-contained orphan growing up in rural Maine. His calm demeanor and ability to learn quickly make him the unspoken favorite of the orphanage director. While he excels at medical and mechanical tasks, his adaptable nature sometimes makes him passive when faced with the strong convictions of others.

Dr. Larch is the stubborn, dedicated physician running St. Cloud's. He harbors a deep commitment to helping vulnerable women, performing illegal procedures that he considers his moral duty. He struggles with a lifelong ether addiction and meticulously documents the town's history while attempting to control Homer's future.

Melony is a blunt, physically imposing young woman who refuses to conform to the orphanage's expectations. Deeply resentful of her abandonment, she relies on intimidation to protect herself. Her unvarnished honesty makes her a powerful counterweight to Homer's willingness to follow the rules.

Wally is the wealthy, good-natured heir to the Ocean View apple orchard. Raised in immense privilege, he views the world with sunny optimism and dreams of becoming a heroic fighter pilot in the military. His sheltered upbringing leaves him ill-prepared for the harsh realities of the wider world.

Candy is the beautiful, pragmatic daughter of a local Maine lobsterman. She moves between two worlds through her relationship with the wealthy Wally Worthington and her own working-class roots. She serves as a central anchor for the men in her life, often forced to balance conflicting loyalties.

Mr. Rose is a reserved, highly disciplined migrant worker who commands absolute authority over his apple-picking crew. He operates strictly by his own unspoken codes, using his known proficiency with a knife to maintain order. He keeps a deliberate distance from the white orchard owners while enforcing efficiency among his workers.

Olive is Wally's ambitious, highly capable mother. Coming from a humbler background than her husband, she takes fierce pride in maintaining the orchard's productivity. She writes the strict typed rules for the migrant workers, demonstrating her need for order and separation.

Ray is Candy's father, a skilled lobsterman and mechanic who values practical capability. He steps away from his coastal trade to manufacture torpedoes for the war effort. Observant and grounded, he easily recognizes natural talent in others.

Rose is the teenage daughter of the crew foreman, traveling the harvest circuit with a newborn baby. She bears physical marks of a difficult life and remains largely isolated within the crew's tight-knit structure. Despite her guarded nature, she cautiously interacts with the local teenagers at the orchard.

Angel is a young boy raised collectively by the Worthington household, believing himself to be an adopted orphan from St. Cloud's. He spends his time helping around the apple farm and interacting with the seasonal workers. He must learn the complex dynamics of the adults who care for him.

Lorna is a tough, resilient young woman who works in heavy industry during the war. She provides companionship and a stable home life for those she cares about, creating a small sanctuary away from the harsh shipyard environment.

Wallace is the kindly patriarch of the Worthington family. His erratic, sometimes destructive behavior is initially misunderstood by his community until a proper medical diagnosis brings clarity to his condition.

Mrs. Goodhall is a conservative, meddlesome member of the orphanage's board of directors. She frequently seeks out reasons to replace the aging hospital director, using suspicion and rumor to undermine his authority.

Grace is an orchard worker trapped in a highly abusive marriage. Her difficult home life pushes her toward erratic, desperate behavior when interacting with the other men at the farm.

Caroline is a dedicated young nurse with socialist political views. Her presence at the orphanage inadvertently gives the conservative board of directors more ammunition against the hospital's leadership.