Caden Cotard
Cotard is a theatre director who devotes himself to a single artistic endeavor, becoming obsessed with it. He finds himself in a bleak situation after his wife leaves him, taking their daughter with her. He also suffers from a strange medical condition that causes him considerable pain.
Adele
Adele was Caden's wife and is also an artist. She becomes tired of his behavior and decides to leave him, along with their daughter. She later becomes a successful painter while living in Berlin.
Olive
Olive is Caden's daughter, who lives with her mother after the divorce. Caden becomes worried that her life is heading in.
Marie
Marie is Adele's friend, who is not particularly responsible. Caden is concerned with the influence she has over his daughter, Olive.
Hazel
Caden has a romantic fling with Hazel, who works in the box office. She moves on from Caden and works box office, eventually marrying Derek. She returns to work on the play after losing her job, where she eventually rekindles her feelings for Caden.
Claire
Claire is Caden's new wife, and they have a daughter together. However, their relationship ultimately fails.
Sammy Barnathan
Sammy is a man who had previously stalked Cotard for 20 years. He is hired by Cotard to play Caden in the play. He falls in love with Hazel and kills himself when Caden falls in love with her again.
Madelyn Gravis
Gravis is the marriage counselor that Caden and Adele visit before they separate. After their separation, Caden continues to visit her, where she recommends her books to help him "get better".
Derek
Derek is the boy and eventual husband of Hazel. He has a son with Hazel. He eventually leaves her due to her re-involvement with Caden.
