Truman is a wildly talented, contradictory, and observant writer from Monroeville, Alabama, who rises to literary stardom in New York. Using his sharp wit and empathetic listening skills, he charms his way into the exclusive circle of wealthy society women he affectionately dubs his "swans." He carefully curates different versions of his childhood to suit his audience, using stories as currency to buy affection and access. Despite his massive success, he constantly battles a deep-seated fear of being unloved and unaccepted.

Babe is a former fashion editor and the reigning queen of New York high society. Raised by a demanding mother to marry into wealth and status, she survived a disfiguring car accident in her youth, an event that cemented her obsession with outward perfection. She carefully manages her husband's multiple estates and turns her own appearance into an art form, ensuring she is never seen without immaculate makeup. Beneath her flawless, composed exterior, she feels profoundly lonely and unvalued by her husband.

Bill is the tremendously wealthy and powerful founder of CBS. Excluded from certain elite social circles due to his Jewish heritage, he relies heavily on his wife's impeccable taste and pedigree to legitimize his standing. He is driven by massive, unrelenting appetites, constantly eating sandwiches in his private kitchenettes and aggressively pursuing affairs with other women. He views Babe largely as an asset, though he develops a surprising camaraderie with Truman.

Slim is a vivacious, sharp-tongued member of the swans who proudly recounts her past romances with Hollywood stars and literary giants like Ernest Hemingway. She bonds quickly with Truman, matching his wit and unapologetic love for scandalous gossip. While she genuinely cares for Babe, her fluid morals and self-preservation instincts occasionally create friction within their tight-knit circle.

Pamela is a British expatriate and society woman who married into the famous Churchill family. Unwilling to settle for the quiet life of a traditional wife, she aggressively pursues wealthy and powerful men to secure her own status. She serves as an antagonist within the swans' immediate orbit, causing drama through her romantic maneuvers.

Ann is a former radio actress from Kansas who married into the extraordinarily wealthy Woodward family. She feels perpetually out of place in high society, lacking the refined pedigree of the swans. Her life is heavily controlled by her mother-in-law following a highly publicized incident in which she fatally shot her husband, claiming she mistook him for a burglar.

Jack is a former dancer and writer who lives with Truman Capote. Unlike Truman, Jack holds deep contempt for the wealthy elite and refuses to be charmed by the swans or their lavish lifestyles. He provides Truman with domestic stability and honest criticism, consistently urging him to focus on serious literature rather than wasting his talent entertaining sycophants.

Gloria is one of the most elegantly dressed swans, known for her sharp intelligence and carefully maintained beauty. Having grown up in difficult financial circumstances with a seamstress mother, she methodically learned to mold her appearance to attract wealthy men. She enjoys playing subtle power games with her friends, such as intentionally giving incorrect dress codes for parties on her yacht.

Born into a privileged Boston family, C.Z. is a confident society woman who spent her youth engaging in bohemian adventures before settling into her wealthy lifestyle. She maintains a slightly more objective view of Truman than the other swans, appreciating his entertainment value while recognizing the intellectual danger he poses as a serious author.

Marella is a prominent member of the swans' inner circle. She regularly attends the exclusive group lunches at Le Pavillon, participating in the collective gossip and social maneuvering that defines their elite Manhattan lifestyle.

Diana is the eccentric and formidable editor of *Harper's Bazaar*. Often referred to as a "dragon lady," she operates as an authoritative observer of high society. She serves as an important source of information for Truman, recounting the detailed history of the Cushing sisters and providing him with valuable context about Babe's past.

Betsey is Babe Paley's older sister. Raised under the strict guidance of their mother to secure prominent marriages, she regularly convenes with her sisters for strategy sessions regarding high-society events. Unlike Babe, Betsey views Truman Capote with deep suspicion, warning her sister about his biting nature.

The eldest of the famous Cushing sisters. Like Babe and Betsey, Minnie was groomed from childhood to navigate the upper echelons of New York society, utilizing advantageous marriages to secure her family's elite status.

Elsie is the matriarch of the staggeringly wealthy Woodward family. Following the tragic shooting of her son, she uses her immense influence and fortune to hush up the investigation and protect the family name. She keeps her daughter-in-law under strict, unyielding control, forcing public appearances to project an image of normalcy.

Leland is a prominent man in the swans' social circle and the husband of Slim Keith. His wandering eye and subsequent romantic entanglement with Pamela Churchill create severe fractures within the tight-knit group of society women, resulting in a bitter divorce that deeply wounds Slim.

Carol is a vibrant and independent woman moving through the same elite circles as the swans. When Bill Paley attempts to use Truman as a middleman to facilitate an affair with her, Carol sharply rejects the advance out of deep respect for Babe Paley.

Alvin is a detective for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation who worked on the Clutter family murder case. Having formed a bond with Truman during the research for *In Cold Blood*, he steps entirely out of his everyday element when he travels to Manhattan to attend the lavish Black and White Ball.

Marie is the wife of Kansas detective Alvin Dewey. Thrust into the glittering world of Manhattan's elite, she is starstruck by the beautiful gowns and famous guests at Truman's party. She is warmly guided through the overwhelming crowds by Babe Paley, experiencing a magical night far removed from her normal life.

Kay is the recently widowed publisher of the *Washington Post*. Truman decides to make her the official guest of honor at his legendary Black and White Ball, drawn to her plainness and her distance from the typical New York social scene. She allows herself to be swept up in the Cinderella-like magic of the preparations.

Kenneth is a highly sought-after Manhattan hairstylist who caters to the city's most elite women. On the day of Truman's massive ball, his salon is packed with nervous, excited guests, and he personally takes over the styling for the guest of honor, Kay Graham.

Gogs is the ambitious mother of the three Cushing sisters. She strictly trained her daughters from a young age to act as perfect societal decorations, prioritizing wealthy and influential marriages above all else. Her demanding voice constantly echoes in Babe's head, driving her relentless pursuit of physical and domestic perfection.

Billy is the late son of the wealthy Woodward family. His volatile marriage to Ann ended when he was fatally shot in their home, an incident his mother worked tirelessly to frame as a tragic accident regarding a suspected prowler.

Nina, formerly known as Lillie Mae Faulk, is Truman Capote's late mother. Depending on the audience, Truman paints her either as a beautiful, tragic figure who died of pneumonia, or as a cruel, selfish woman who locked him in hotel rooms and mocked his identity. Her absence leaves a permanent void in Truman's life.