Martha is a highly skilled, self-taught 54-year-old midwife in 18th-century Hallowell, Maine. She meticulously records daily events and births in her journal. She relies on her sharp mind and practiced medical knowledge to challenge the male authorities in her town. Her feminist ideals routinely place her in conflict with the conservative religious culture of her community.

North is a wealthy colonel and influential circuit judge in Hallowell who abuses his judicial power to enrich himself. He relies on his elevated status and wealth to intimidate the townspeople into submission. His profound misogyny drives him to silence any women who dare speak against him.

Rebecca is the parson's wife who defies societal expectations by publicly naming the prominent men who assaulted her. She endures severe social ostracization and emotional trauma following her accusation. Her determination to seek justice forces the town to reckon with its corrupt power structures.

Dr. Benjamin Page is a newly arrived, Harvard-educated physician whose formal schooling masks a dangerous lack of practical medical skill. Prideful and dismissive, he refuses to learn his patients' names or acknowledge Martha's expertise. He frequently endangers the lives of the town's women to protect his own inflated ego.

Ephraim is Martha's deeply devoted husband who operates the family mill and conducts land surveys for the Kennebec Proprietors. He provides a steady, supportive presence and consistently defends his wife's work in the face of local prejudice. He acts as a voice of reason when Martha's temper flares.

Known only as "Doctor," she is a highly skilled, French-speaking Black midwife who treats the women of Hallowell in secret. Because of pervasive racial prejudice, she protects her practice through strict anonymity. Martha deeply reveres her profound medical wisdom and seeks her counsel for difficult cases.

Cyrus is Martha and Ephraim's mute son who lost his voice to a childhood bout of diphtheria. Martha characterizes him as a "confessor" rather than a liar, noting his honest, gentle nature. His inability to speak complicates his defense when he is drawn into the center of a murder investigation.

Jonathan is the eldest Ballard son living at home. Unlike his brother Cyrus, Jonathan is evasive and frequently absent. He routinely keeps secrets from his mother and engages in reckless romantic trysts that threaten his family's reputation.

Joshua Burgess is a local man whose brutal murder initiates the town's mystery. Prior to his death, he faced public accusations of participating in a horrific assault against the parson's wife. His habit of taking lace souvenirs from his victims points to his deeply predatory nature.

Sam is a local worker who survives a near-drowning while inadvertently discovering a corpse in the ice. He is fiercely protective of his new bride and harbors intense animosity toward the town's predatory men. He keeps his true motivations hidden behind a quiet exterior.

Sally is the Fosters' gossipy housemaid whose habit of listening at doors fuels the town's rumor mill. Her indiscretion leads to devastating legal charges against her mistress. She attempts to manage her own scandalous personal life while judging the actions of those around her.

Barnabas is a newly arrived officer of the court who enforces orders for local judges. Despite his rough introduction, he proves to have an earnest disposition. He relies on his physical strength but struggles to understand the complex social dynamics of Hallowell.

Sarah is a young unwed mother enduring severe social ostracization. She remains resilient and determined to maintain her dignity despite the judgment of her peers. She eagerly accepts Martha's offer to teach her how to read.

Hannah is one of Martha's capable daughters who helps manage the household and assists with medical care. She draws the romantic attention of the tavern owner's son and provides practical support to her parents.

Dolly is Martha's younger daughter, a practical girl who helps run the family mill. She develops a quick crush on a newly arrived court officer and eagerly encourages his attentions.

Moses is the twenty-year-old son of the tavern owners. He assists Martha during her investigations and harbors a clear intention to court her daughter.

Amos is the proprietor of Pollard's Tavern, the social and judicial hub of Hallowell. He is pragmatic but occasionally complicit in the maneuvers of the town's powerful men.

Missing an eye and several fingers from the Seven Years' War, Coleman is the perceptive owner of the local general store. He acts as a valuable source of information for Martha regarding the town's shifting sentiments.

Lidia is Joseph North's wife, complicit in protecting her husband's reputation by providing him with false alibis. Her reliance on Martha's medical skills creates a tense dynamic between the two women.

May is Sam Dawin's new bride whose hurried marriage sparks local gossip. She carries a heavy burden of hidden trauma that mirrors the central conflicts of the town.

Henry is a major in the Boston Militia and the father of Sarah White's child. He returns to Hallowell to honor his commitments, proving the town's vicious gossips wrong.

James is a local entrepreneur attempting to start a distillery. He falls into severe debt to Joseph North, leading to his humiliating public arrest.

Clarissa is a young woman in Hallowell who attempts to elevate her own social standing by weaponizing shame against others. She soon faces her own tragic medical hardships under Dr. Page's care.

Tempest is a rare, silver female fox who roams the woods near the Ballard mill. She shares a symbolic connection with Martha, representing feminine resilience and survival in a hostile environment.

Isaac is Hallowell's parson and Rebecca's husband. His reputation is thrown into jeopardy by the scandals surrounding his wife, and he finds himself legally targeted by the very men who assaulted her.

Melody is Dr. Page's wife, a woman whose basic identity is frequently erased by her husband's arrogance. She relies on Martha's intervention to survive a dangerous childbirth.