Nancy is a young woman who works with her siblings at their seaside oyster parlor in Kent. Entranced by the theatrical world and male impersonator Kitty Butler, she eagerly begins exploring life beyond her small hometown. Her move to London introduces her to new experiences regarding her identity, clothing, and place in a highly stratified society.

Kitty is an orphaned performer who has found success on the stage as a "masher," or male impersonator. Raised by her grandmother, she is fiercely focused on her career and securing her future in the competitive London theater scene. She invites Nancy to London, setting off a chain of events that alters both their lives.

Diana is a wealthy, thirty-eight-year-old widow who resides in the luxurious St. John's Wood neighborhood. Operating outside conventional morality, she spends her time pursuing pleasure and socializing at private clubs. She introduces Nancy to an opulent and hedonistic upper-class lifestyle.

Florence is a dedicated, working-class socialist living in Bethnal Green. She dedicates her time to charity work, political activism, and caring for her neighbors. Her grounded lifestyle offers a sharp contrast to the opulence of London's elite circles.

Zena is a young maid who was taken from a girls' reformatory to work in a high-society London mansion. She carefully manages the complex power dynamics of serving wealthy employers while hiding her own difficult past.

Ralph is Florence's brother and a committed socialist who lives in their parents' old house. He actively participates in local union work and helps raise his adopted son, maintaining a welcoming and community-focused household.

Alice is Nancy's sister who helps run the family oyster parlor in Whitstable. She initially shares Nancy's excitement for local outings but holds much more conventional views regarding society, relationships, and propriety.

Walter is a theatrical agent in London who manages Kitty's performance schedule. He is highly business-minded, always looking for ways to expand his clients' acts and maximize their appeal to theater managers.

Davy is Nancy's brother who works at the family's business in Whitstable. He occasionally teases Nancy about her interests but remains a steadfast part of the Astley family dynamic.

Tony is the son of the Palace Theater manager. He uses his connections to the stage to help the Astley sisters enjoy the local performances in Canterbury.

Tricky is the manager of the local theater where Kitty Butler initially performs. He handles contracts and scheduling for the acts that pass through town.

Mrs. Dendy runs and owns a boarding house in London that caters specifically to performers, actors, and musicians.

Mrs. Best is a harsh landlady in London who runs a strict lodging house. She closely monitors her tenants and enforces strict rules regarding their conduct and visitors.

Ms. Milne is an understanding landlady who lives with her daughter Gracie. She is willing to accept Nancy's theatrical background and unconventional clothing without harsh judgment.

Gracie is Ms. Milne's daughter who has an intellectual disability. She grows fond of Nancy during her stay at their house.

Janet is Florence and Ralph's younger sister who frequently stops by their cramped Bethnal Green home. She shares her siblings' civic-minded attitudes and helps with their community efforts.

Cyril is the young child of the late Lillian, currently being raised by Florence and Ralph Banner as their adopted son. He represents the communal, chosen-family values of the Banner household.