Jonas is a half-Swedish, half-Tunisian writer who grows up in the Drakenberg neighborhood near the Mikkola sisters. He struggles with his mixed heritage and the internalized critical voice of his absent father, which he calls "the Hyena." He becomes obsessed with the Mikkola sisters, using their story and shared background to understand his own past, identity, and feelings of alienation.

Ina is the eldest of the Mikkola sisters, functioning as the family's reluctant and anxious matriarch. Driven by a deep-seated need for control and stability, she relies on practical planning to counteract her chaotic upbringing. She often feels like an outsider, both within her own family and among her peers, viewing her younger sisters' unpredictable lives with a mix of worry and irritation.

The middle Mikkola sister is charismatic, captivating, and intensely restless. Evelyn uses her social grace and storytelling abilities as a shield against her deep-seated fear of commitment. She feels stagnant working for years at a high-end clothing store, constantly seeking an authentic sense of purpose away from the shadow of her family's supposed curse.

The youngest Mikkola sister is a volatile, creative, and fiercely loyal rebel. Anastasia lives with a raw, impulsive energy that often leads to unpredictable career shifts and intense relationships. Despite her rebellious exterior, she desperately wants to protect her loved ones and find a stable outlet for her artistic passions, moving from preschool substitute to music promoter to advertising executive.

Selima is the charismatic but deeply paranoid matriarch of the Mikkola family. She raises her daughters in a state of constant upheaval, moving them frequently to escape perceived threats. Her steadfast belief in a family curse shapes her daughters' anxieties and self-sabotaging behaviors throughout their adult lives.

Jonas's father is a Tunisian immigrant whose unfulfilled ambitions and struggles with depression cause him to abandon his family. He drifts between jobs and grand plans, leaving behind a legacy of emotional wounds. He serves as an enigmatic link between Jonas and the Mikkola sisters, possessing a hidden history with their mother.

Hector is an intellectual, kind, and optimistic man from a large, communicative family. He offers Ina a glimpse of stability and warmth, contrasting sharply with her chaotic upbringing. He later resigns from his university teaching post in protest of institutional corruption and co-founds an independent publishing house called Slakthuset.

Simon is a charismatic and highly successful human-rights lawyer. He presents an alluring vision of stability and emotional connection for Evelyn, though their relationship is marked by intense power struggles and his underlying need for control. His professional success frequently triggers Evelyn's insecurities about her own life.

Mathias is Anastasia's erratic ex-boyfriend, initially presented as a self-destructive artist struggling with addiction. His turbulent influence heavily impacts Anastasia's early adulthood before they eventually part ways. He later reappears as a born-again Christian and art conservator, attempting to bring his new worldview to Anastasia.

Jonas's Swedish mother is a strong, resilient woman who raises Jonas and his brothers alone after her husband's departure. She is highly critical of Selima Mikkola and tries to protect her sons from chaotic influences, encouraging them to pursue education and middle-class stability.

Daniela is a German-Tunisian engineering student who meets Anastasia during an Arabic language course in Tunisia. Rational and scientifically minded, she clashes with Anastasia over the Mikkola family's supernatural beliefs regarding electricity, leading to a tragic end to their romance.

Cecilia is Evelyn's ambitious friend who decides to pursue her destiny at the National Academy of Mime and Acting (Nama). Her friendship with Evelyn fractures when Evelyn impulsively decides to audition for the same competitive program.

Emma is a popular, energetic classmate who forms a powerful, long-lasting connection with Jonas. Their relationship shifts from a deep teenage bond to a complicated friendship marked by her struggles with mental health and his emotional distance.

Diane is a woman Jonas meets at a family party and pursues over several years. She eventually becomes his life partner, representing a true, secure connection that helps him build a family of his own.

Primo is Ina and Hector's impulsive and unconventional teenage son. He pursues a career as an aspiring rapper, adopting a flashy lifestyle that deeply worries his safety-conscious mother.

Åhdal is Hector's intellectual friend and publishing partner who suggests the name "Slaughterhouse" for their press. He later becomes deeply involved in the Mikkola sisters' lives when he forms a relationship with Anastasia.

Kim is Hector's friend and co-founder of their radical publishing house. He is cynical about corporate spectacles and enjoys engaging in intellectual debates with his peers about art and politics.

Younes is Jonas's German-Tunisian cousin who bridges the gap between Jonas and their extended family. He shares Jonas's concerns about their family's loud dynamics and their history of memory loss, which they refer to as the family curse.

Uncle Younes is Jonas's uncle and the brother of Jonas's father. He maintains a gruff exterior but occasionally shows solidarity with the younger generation, and he holds startling secrets about the family's past involvement with Selima Mikkola.