Pen is a young Canadian student studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh. Seeking to understand her parents' failed marriage, she decides to study in Scotland to learn more about her father's history there. She is initially shy, observant, and cautious, often contrasting with her bolder friends.

Alice is Pen's childhood best friend. An ambitious aspiring actress, she is bold and used to receiving attention, but she frequently struggles with feeling objectified by others. She wins the lead role of Thomasina in a university production of *Arcadia*, validating her talent.

Christina is the warm, pragmatic wife of Lord Elliot Lennox. Despite being dismissed by some relatives as merely a housewife, she works tirelessly to maintain the massive Talmòrach estate and support the local village. She offers Pen a healthy perspective on choosing one's own path.

Ted is Pen's father and a wealthy Toronto businessman who prioritizes duty and his family's reputation. He studied at the University of Edinburgh in his youth, where he befriended Elliot Lennox. He remains highly secretive about his time in Scotland, prompting Pen's investigation.

Anna is Pen's mother and a professor of French literature in Toronto. Raised by unloving foster parents, she suffered from severe depression during Pen's childhood and the dissolution of her marriage to Ted. She has since rebuilt a stable, joyful life and adores her daughter.

Julian is a young, attractive philosophy tutor at the university. He is married but uses his position of authority to manipulate his female students, initiating a dangerous and controlling dynamic with Alice.

Elliot is a famous mystery writer and the Lord of the Talmòrach estate. He is jovial and welcoming to Pen, having been college friends with her father years ago. He actively avoids answering her direct questions about why his friendship with Ted ended.

Sasha is the eldest son of Elliot and Christina Lennox, currently studying at the nearby university in St. Andrews. He strikes up a flirtatious online correspondence with Pen after meeting her, though his communication is sometimes inconsistent.

Margot is Elliot's younger sister and a famously successful fashion designer living in London. Unconventional and fiercely independent, she firmly rejects traditional expectations of marriage and motherhood, viewing complete self-sacrifice as unnatural.

George is Margot's daughter and Elliot's niece. She is a young mother managing life with her infant son, Danny. She spends weekends at the Lennox estate, trying to figure out her own path as a parent while planning to launch a menswear line.

Jo is a wealthy Scottish student who befriends Pen and Alice. She is grounded and observant, harboring hopes of becoming a professor while secretly reconnecting with a childhood crush from her boarding school days.

Fergus is Jo's twin brother. He is an awkward but well-meaning student who develops an obvious crush on Pen, eagerly inviting her and the rest of their friend group to his family's home for the weekend.

Freddie is the younger son of Elliot and Christina Lennox. He is supposed to be spending a gap year in South America but is mysteriously discovered hiding out in a bedroom at the family estate following an undisclosed scandal.

Charlie is a working-class university student in Pen and Alice's social circle who harbors a steady, genuine infatuation with Alice. He offers her emotional support when she is stressed about her play.

Chet is Sasha's best friend from St. Andrews. He frequently visits the Lennox estate, joining Sasha on horseback rides and casually teasing Pen when she visits.

Hugo is Fergus's former boarding school roommate and current university friend. He is often seen drinking and socializing with the group, occasionally interrupting private moments.

Sylvia is a student at the university and Jo's former childhood crush from boarding school. Their previous relationship resulted in them being kicked out of school, making Jo nervous to approach her again.

Emily is Julian's heavily pregnant wife. She is completely unaware of his infidelity, assuming he is working late while he pursues relationships with his students.

Danny is George's infant son. He is a cheerful presence at the Lennox family gatherings and the subject of much of George's exhaustion and devotion.

Rosh is Danny's father. He supports George by bringing food and helping parent their son when he has time off from work.

Flossie is a university student who enjoys following high-society gossip and eventually begins dating Fergus.

Hector works for the Lennox family. He drives guests to the estate and provides brief contextual details about the ancient building's history.