Samad is a Bangladeshi immigrant and former soldier who now works as a waiter at an Indian restaurant in London. He is married to Alsana, a much younger woman. He feels stripped of his dignity by his service job, often retreating into nostalgia for his days fighting in World War II. He is frustrated by his lack of earning power and his inability to secure a job as a food inspector in his new country.

Alsana is a young woman from a respected Bengali family who immigrated to England with her older husband, Samad, following an arranged marriage. She sews clothes for a local shop to help support her family, though she remains willfully ignorant of the garments' true purpose. Pregnant with twin boys, she struggles to balance her desire for traditional respectability with her craving for modern conveniences and independence.

Clara is a tall, striking Black woman of Jamaican descent who is married to the much older Archie. She brings an open-minded perspective to her friendship with Alsana. Currently pregnant with a daughter she hopes to name Irie, she is curious and receptive to the feminist ideas introduced by Neena, while maintaining a calm and humorous demeanor in the face of cultural clashes.

Archie is a native British man who served in World War II, where he piloted a tank alongside Samad. He is married to Clara, a much younger Jamaican woman. He takes his British identity for granted and remains a grounding, though somewhat distant, figure in the lives of the main characters, often spending his time at a local pub or reminiscing about the war.

Ardashir is the wealthy, business-savvy owner of the Indian restaurant where Samad works. He is Samad's distant cousin but takes pleasure in having power over his older, formerly more successful relative. He runs his business strictly, demanding total deference from his employees and refusing to offer financial assistance to his family members.

Shiva is the most popular and skilled waiter at The Palace, using his youth and good looks to secure large tips from patrons. As the only Hindu on the restaurant staff, he focuses heavily on advancing his aspiring acting career. He fiercely resents having to share his earnings with the less capable waiters and frequently clashes with his coworkers.

Neena is Alsana's outspoken niece who is only two years younger than her aunt. She works at a shoe repair shop but holds highly progressive views on marriage and society. She reads feminist literature, questions traditional marital roles, and advocates for open communication. She frequently clashes with Alsana over the merits of arranged marriages, earning herself the disparaging nickname of Niece-Of-Shame.

Sol is an older park keeper with a Polish-Jewish surname who encounters Alsana, Clara, and Neena during an emotional conversation. His brief presence and somber response to a joke about abortion force the women to reflect on the heavy historical tragedies that older generations have endured.