Adopted as an infant, Cyril is raised in a wealthy but emotionally cold household in Dublin. He is an observant and deeply lonely individual struggling with his identity in a society where his sexual orientation is criminalized. His desperate desire for connection drives him into complicated, often deceptive relationships as he searches for a place to belong.

At sixteen years old, Catherine is an independent and brave young woman expelled from her conservative hometown. Relocating to Dublin, she secures work in the parliament tearoom and refuses to be defeated by the heavy prejudice of the era. She approaches life with fearless resilience and a strong moral compass that defies authority.

The son of a wealthy solicitor, Julian is an extroverted, confident boy who grows into a charismatic but reckless adult. He adopts his father's problematic views on women and maintains a constant preoccupation with physical intimacy. Despite his flaws, he remains a central figure in Cyril's life.

A Dutch medical doctor specializing in communicable diseases. As the son of Holocaust survivors, Bastiaan approaches the world with profound empathy and a desire to heal the marginalized. He offers Cyril his first experience of living openly and happily without fear of societal retribution.

A successful but corrupt bank employee, Charles treats his marriage as a business partnership and his adoptive son as a background detail. He frequently engages in illegal gambling, tax evasion, and infidelity, eventually facing prison time for his actions. Despite his numerous personal failings, he provides a financially secure home environment.

An eccentric, chain-smoking novelist who spends her days isolated in her study. She writes popular fiction about women trapped with terrible men but possesses no maternal instincts toward her adoptive son. She views the outside world, including her husband and fans, with intense distaste.

A teenager from Slovenia who fled to Amsterdam only to be forced into the commercial sex trade by his own family. He initially approaches others with defensive anger and mistrust, but slowly allows himself to accept the safety and support offered by his new guardians.

Julian's younger sister, a highly intelligent researcher at University College Dublin. She writes her academic thesis on the novels of Maude Avery, connecting deeply with themes of isolation. She possesses a stoic, patient demeanor and survives romantic heartbreak with grit and independence.

Alice's son, a young man who grows up heavily influenced by his uncle Julian. He initially harbors anger and defensiveness regarding his family's past, but gradually demonstrates a capacity for emotional growth and forgiveness as he builds his own family.

A highly judgmental and rigid young woman living in Dublin. She is quick to criticize others who fail to meet her strict moral standards and exhibits a distinct lack of empathy for marginalized individuals. She becomes suspicious of her boyfriend's secretive behavior.

A brooding, serious man who initially resents Catherine's arrival at his flat. Despite his abrasive exterior, Jack possesses deep loyalty and a fierce instinct for survival, eventually opening a successful Irish pub in Amsterdam. He carries physical scars from a brutal hate crime.

A talented, wealthy, and entirely ruthless solicitor. He prioritizes his professional reputation and financial gain over the well-being of his family or clients. He actively cheats on his wife and passes his toxic views down to his son.

A friendly, outgoing young man attempting to escape his violent, dysfunctional family to work at a Guinness brewery. He extends immediate kindness to a stranger in need, completely unaware of the tragic consequences his own secret life will bring.

The practical manager of the parliament tearoom. She maintains a tough exterior to survive in a male-dominated environment but harbors private sympathy for unwed mothers, driven by her own traumatic past.

The parish priest of Goleen, a deeply hypocritical man who enforces the church's strict moral codes with physical violence and public humiliation, despite maintaining secret affairs of his own.

An imposing medical professional operating in 1960s Dublin. He rigidly adheres to the belief that homosexuality does not exist in Ireland and subjects his patients to torturous, agonizing procedures under the guise of psychological treatment.

A physically imposing man from Slovenia heavily involved in the commercial sex trade. He treats his own son as a financial asset rather than a human being, employing brutal violence to assert his dominance and control.

A twenty-year-old university student suffering from AIDS in New York. He is overwhelmed by shame and confusion regarding his illness, mistakenly believing his sickness is a moral punishment.

An elderly woman residing at Mount Sinai Hospital after contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion. Despite her failing memory, she maintains a lively, positive spirit and enjoys recounting stories of her three previous marriages to gay men.

A flamboyantly dressed employee at the Department of Education who carefully hides his own sexuality behind a marriage and nine children. He acts as a cautionary voice, warning Cyril about the severe legal and social dangers present in Dublin.