Danny is the younger of the two Conroy children living in an opulent mansion outside Philadelphia. He relies heavily on his older sister for guidance following the departure of their biological mother. Though intelligent, he tends to accept his privileged life without much self-reflection. He looks up to his quiet, business-focused father and attempts to emulate his real estate success.

Maeve is Danny's tall, dark-haired older sister and primary maternal figure. She harbors a deep resentment over the disruption of her family and uses her sharp intelligence to shield her brother from emotional harm. Suffering from severe diabetes, her physical vulnerability contrasts with her imposing, authoritative personality. She works diligently as an accountant, refusing to leave the geographical area near her childhood home.

Andrea is an attractive, blonde widow who enters the Conroys' lives and quickly demonstrates an obsession with their grand house. She maintains an icy, formal relationship with Danny and Maeve while prioritizing her own daughters. Her focus lies entirely on the mansion's architecture and status rather than building a blended family.

Elna is Cyril's first wife and the biological mother of Danny and Maeve. Raised in working-class Brooklyn, she possessed an overwhelming drive to serve the poor and originally intended to become a nun. Unable to adjust to the sudden, extreme wealth of the Dutch House, she left her family behind. Her absence casts a long shadow over her children's emotional development.

Cyril is a stoic, self-made real estate magnate who pulled himself out of Brooklyn poverty following World War II. He purchased the fully furnished Dutch House to cement his success but remains emotionally distant from his family. His primary method of bonding with Danny involves teaching him the value of collecting rent and managing property.

Celeste is a young Catholic woman from a neighboring town who meets Danny during his college commute. She embraces traditional expectations for women of her era, envisioning a comfortable life married to a successful professional. Her practical, domestic desires frequently clash with Maeve's overbearing presence in Danny's life.

Fluffy is an Irish-American woman who originally served as the caretaker for the Dutch House's previous owners before becoming Danny's nanny. She figures prominently in the family's early history and harbors romantic aspirations regarding Cyril. She possesses extensive knowledge of the home's original owners and the Conroys' early days.

Sandy is one of the two sisters employed to manage the cooking and housework at the Dutch House. She steps in to provide daily care and maternal warmth for Danny and Maeve following Elna's departure. She maintains a deep reverent admiration for Elna's charitable nature.

Jocelyn works on the staff at the Dutch House, running the daily operations of the large mansion alongside her sister. She is deeply involved in raising Danny and Maeve, taking a particularly firm stance on teaching Danny how to manage his sister's diabetes. Unlike her sister, she holds a slightly more critical view of Elna's decision to leave.

May is Danny's daughter, an energetic and highly talented child who bears a striking physical resemblance to her aunt Maeve. She grows up listening to grand, romanticized stories about the Dutch House. Her artistic ambitions lead her toward a career in performing.

Morey is a chemistry professor who takes an active interest in Danny's academic success. He serves as one of the few older male mentors in Danny's life after Cyril's death. He inadvertently provides Danny with valuable insider information about university real estate plans.

Norma is Andrea's eldest daughter who moves into Maeve's former bedroom when the families merge. She benefits from the educational trust left behind by Cyril. As an adult, she pursues a demanding career in pediatric medicine.

Mr. Otterson runs a frozen vegetable packaging company in Pennsylvania. He provides Maeve with her first job and steady employment near her childhood home. He recognizes her exceptional talent with numbers, eventually promoting her to chief financial officer as his company expands.

Kevin is Danny's younger child, a boy who suffers from health issues in his infancy. His early sickness brings Fluffy back into the family's daily life to assist with childcare. He eventually fulfills his mother's long-held dream by pursuing a career in medicine.

Beatrice, known almost exclusively by her nickname Bright, is Andrea's younger daughter. She moves into the mansion as a young girl when her mother marries Cyril. She eventually distances herself from her mother and the house to work as a yoga instructor.