Isabella is a key suspect and a complex "femme fatale" who manipulates situations while struggling with personal trauma. Her interactions with Sullivan evolve, revealing deeper truths about her past.

As the Bainbridge family matriarch, she serves as an unreliable narrator who attempts to control the narrative to protect her family from scandal. Her past actions and motivations complicate the family's history.

Sadie is a former beauty whose life and mental health deteriorated following a series of personal tragedies. Her past is central to the unfolding family drama.

Nicole is a politically charged character, a Berkeley student and self-declared communist. Her actions are driven by rebellion against her wealthy family's legacy.

Cassie is a pragmatic and loyal character who is involved in a subplot highlighting the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II. Her relationship with Yuko Sasaki demonstrates her moral clarity.

Wilkinson, the murder victim, was a charismatic politician with a hidden life of moral corruption. His relationships with the Bainbridge family are pivotal to the story.

Miriam, Sullivan's niece, serves as a moral compass and a reminder of his heritage in the context of racial identity. Her presence challenges Sullivan's self-imposed isolation.

Although deceased, Iris plays a pivotal role in the family's history and is the embodiment of lost innocence. Her death has long-lasting effects on her family members.

Doogan, the district attorney, is an ambitious figure focused on political gain, showing little regard for actual guilt in his pursuit of justice.

Juanita, a hotel maid, finds herself caught between powerful interests and reveals the theme of how fear can distort truth.

Yuko's story highlights the racism faced by Japanese Americans during WWII, and her relationship with Cassie showcases a subplot of bravery and moral resistance.

Roger is Isabella’s nominal father whose discovery of a family secret fills him with bitterness and shapes his outlook.

Greening represents an outdated form of law enforcement, serving as an obstacle to Sullivan's investigation through casual deference and prejudice.