Grace is a serious, self-sacrificing woman in her mid-twenties who has taken on parish duties for her vicar father following her mother's death. Believing she is undesirable, she settles for a practical engagement to a local curate. She suppresses her natural creativity and love for fashion to meet the expectations of her role in the village.

Cressida is a successful, independent fashion designer in London who wears scandalous trousers and dedicates her life entirely to her work. Estranged from her family since leaving Aldhurst after World War I, she uses professional ambition to mask a deep loneliness. The sudden destruction of her home and business forces her to return to the countryside she once fled.

Violet is an upper-class young woman living at Aldhurst Manor who resents the war for interfering with her goal of marrying a titled aristocrat. She looks down on the village sewing circle she officially sponsors and hates the prospect of mandatory war work. Conscripted into the military as a driver, she faces an abrupt reality check regarding her privilege.

Hugh is the current master of Aldhurst Manor, having recently inherited the estate after his father's death. He works for the war office in London, neglecting the local village and maintaining a cold, distant demeanor. He faces pressure to fulfill a childhood betrothal to a wealthy heiress, keeping him bound to traditional upper-class expectations.

Ben is the reverend of Aldhurst village and Grace's father. He suffers from lingering shell shock from his service in World War I, often retreating into his study and distancing himself from the parish. He relies heavily on his daughter for support but maintains a warm, encouraging demeanor toward her.

Lieutenant MacCauley is a loud, flirtatious American soldier stationed near Aldhurst. He works in engineering and driving duties for the military. He challenges upper-class British snobbery with his straightforward American perspective and attempts to draw out his assigned driver.

Lawrence is a former curate and a serious, rigid religious man. He approaches his relationship as a practical arrangement for his ministry, quoting scripture to struggling parishioners rather than offering practical help. He disapproves of fashion and views a wife primarily as a parish worker.

Muriel is a journalist and the closest person Cressida has to a true friend in London. She constantly urges her workaholic friend to develop a life outside of business and informs her about a government-sponsored utility clothing design contest.

Lottie is a lively, working-class village girl and member of the sewing circle. She eagerly dates soldiers and aristocrats alike, taking advantage of the shifting social dynamics of the war, and frequently comes up with creative workarounds for wartime clothing rations.

Lord Flynn is a wealthy local aristocrat who has opened his estate to stationed soldiers. He is considered a highly desirable match by the local upper-class families but shows a surprising preference for the lively village girls.

Astrid is a wealthy, upper-class heiress living in London. She expects to formalize a long-standing family arrangement to marry into the Wescott family, maintaining a rigid adherence to class structures and disdaining the lower classes.

Becky is a working-class woman conscripted into the military transport service. Despite being looked down upon by her wealthier peers, she demonstrates immediate compassion by comforting those who struggle with the harsh realities of military training.

Lena is a lower-class woman placed in the integrated military transport training group. She is observant and sharp, pointing out the contradiction of smart women acting foolish to please men and encouraging her peers to lean into their intelligence.

Mrs. Bisgood is a practical Aldhurst village resident and a dedicated member of the local Air Raid Precautions group. She shares a quiet understanding of grief and loss, helping newcomers acclimate to their community responsibilities.

Eustace is the recently deceased master of Aldhurst Manor. During his life, he rigidly enforced class divides, neglected his estate workers, and completely estranged himself from his sister when she chose to pursue a career in Paris.

Jack is a soldier who died in World War I. His death profoundly altered the lives of those who loved him, leaving a legacy of grief that prevents the survivors from fully engaging with their present lives.