Roy
Roy Hamilton Jr. - Roy is a young executive who is ambitious, hardworking, and deeply in love with his wife, Celestial. He is wrongfully accused of a crime and sentenced to twelve years in prison. While in prison, Roy struggles to maintain his hope and faith in his relationship with Celestial, and he becomes increasingly aware of the systemic injustices that have led to his imprisonment. After his release, Roy grapples with the trauma of his incarceration and the ways in which it has changed him.
Celestial
Celestial Davenport Hamilton - Celestial is an artist who creates handcrafted dolls. She is a fiercely independent and talented woman who is deeply in love with Roy. After his imprisonment, Celestial struggles to come to terms with the loss of her husband and the life they had planned together. She eventually begins a relationship with her childhood friend, Andre, but is torn between her loyalty to Roy and her desire for happiness.
Andre
Andre Stevens - Andre is Celestial's childhood friend who becomes her confidant and eventually her lover while Roy is in prison. He has always had feelings for Celestial and sees Roy's incarceration as an opportunity to pursue a relationship with her. Despite his love for Celestial, Andre is haunted by the guilt of betraying his friend and the pain he has caused.
Big Roy
Big Roy - Big Roy is Roy's father and a respected elder in their community. He is a source of strength and support for his son during his incarceration. Big Roy is a proud man who is deeply committed to his family and community.
Olive
Olive Davenport - Olive is Celestial's mother and a successful businesswoman. She is a fierce protector of her daughter and does not approve of Roy's imprisonment. Olive is a strong-willed woman who is deeply invested in her family's success and well-being.
Michael
Michael - Michael is Celestial's younger brother who is a musician. He has a strained relationship with Roy and does not support his sister's decision to stay married to him. Michael is a talented musician who is trying to make a name for himself in the music industry, but he is also deeply invested in his family and their well-being.
Davina
Davina - Davina is Celestial's childhood friend and a successful businesswoman. She provides Celestial with financial support and encouragement during Roy's incarceration. After Roy's release, Davina offers him a job and helps him get back on his feet. She is a complex character who struggles with her feelings for Roy and the complications that arise from their relationship.
Aunt Tina
Aunt Tina - Aunt Tina is Celestial's aunt who is like a second mother to her. She is a devout Christian who struggles to reconcile her faith with the challenges faced by her family. Aunt Tina is a wise and compassionate woman who provides guidance and support to Celestial throughout the novel.
Officer Williams
Officer Williams - Officer Williams is the police officer who arrests Roy for a crime he did not commit. He is a racist and corrupt officer who is emblematic of the systemic injustices faced by Black Americans in the criminal justice system.
Hayward
Hayward - Hayward is a lawyer who takes on Roy's case pro bono. He is a skilled and compassionate lawyer who believes in Roy's innocence and fights tirelessly to overturn his conviction.
Big Mama
Big Mama - Big Mama is Roy's grandmother and a matriarch of the Hamilton family. She is a wise and strong-willed woman who provides support and guidance to her family throughout the novel.
Gwen
Gwen - Gwen is Andre's wife and a successful doctor. She is deeply hurt by Andre's affair with Celestial, but she tries to maintain a cordial relationship with him for the sake of their child.
