Margaret is a highly skilled apothecary, herbalist, and midwife living in Charlestown. She possesses an extensive body of medical knowledge that allows her to reliably diagnose and treat physical ailments. Her self-confidence and highly outspoken personality clash with the strict gender roles of the patriarchal Puritan community, drawing heavy public scrutiny.

Thomas is a skilled carpenter and Irish immigrant living in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He maintains a quiet, even-tempered disposition and works hard to conceal his Catholic upbringing from his zealous Protestant neighbors. He loves his wife deeply but constantly fears that her bold personality will attract danger from religious authorities.

The Widow Hallett is a wealthy, young widow who uses her affluence and public performance of piety to secure power in the community. She secretly engages in manipulative behavior and unethical practices that she publicly condemns. She utilizes deceit and her sexuality to aggressively pursue what she wants, regardless of the harm it causes others.

Alice is a tenacious and fiercely loyal woman living in the colony. Though small in stature, she possesses a stubborn strength and privately enjoys practices forbidden by the strict Puritan leadership. She places a high value on authentic friendship and refuses to abandon her principles under social pressure.

Samuel is a kind, gregarious, and generous man who enjoys hosting friends in his home. He is highly perceptive about the dangerous political and religious dynamics of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. While he privately shares his wife's relaxed views, he takes careful measures to maintain a respectable public image.

Mary is a young woman working as an indentured servant in the Hallett household. Originally from Ireland, she occupies a highly vulnerable position in the settlement due to her class status, her gender, and her hidden Catholic background.

Goodman Longfellow is a young, newly appointed pastor in the settlement. He exhibits a meek, quiet disposition that sharply contrasts with the loud authority of other religious leaders, making him highly susceptible to manipulation by more assertive individuals.

Governor Winthrop is a prominent leader in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He rigorously enforces Puritan social norms and demands absolute deference from the townspeople, showing particular hostility toward assertive women.

Bellingham is a former governor with a private, intellectual interest in the sciences. He values high-quality medical care but remains highly protective of his own reputation in the heavily scrutinized settlement.

Goodwife Westin is a local woman who fully internalizes the superstitious fears of the settlement. She is quick to label unconventional medical advice as sinister and actively spreads rumors about those she distrusts.

Goodwife Pierce is a wealthy, well-connected neighbor in Charlestown. She is deeply superstitious and reacts with intense fear and anger toward anything she perceives as unnatural.

Bess is the beloved infant daughter of Margaret and Thomas. Her healthy arrival follows years of pregnancy losses, bringing immense hope and warmth to her parents' home.

Molly is a large cat adopted by Margaret. While acting as a normal pet, Molly inadvertently frightens the highly superstitious clients who visit the house.