He is a very torn and jealous man. He becomes particularly jealous when he discovers that Ellen is attracted to his lover Paul. He can sense that he is not capable of giving Ellen what she needs which makes him very insecure. He loves his wife and child, but has difficulty being completely honest with them because he fears their reaction to his sexual relationship with 30 year-old Paul will destroy the family. John struggles with his inner demons and feels impotent when Ellen informs him that she is pregnant. He battles to hold on to his relationship with his wife, but in the end must give up to avoid a collapse. He discovers Ellen, pregnant with their unborn child, hanging from the large chandelier above the first floor staircase. Despite a great deal of pain, John carries on through life with his son Steven.
Ellen is a very sensitive, beautiful, and independent woman. She finds a new hair stylist by whom she becomes very fascinated. Not sexually, but personally. She discovers that she has become pregnant and, at the same time, finds out that her husband's lover is her hairdresser Paul, of whom she is very fond and in whom she has confided almost everything. She tries to be content sharing life with her loved ones, but must acknowledge that the life she was given has scarred her personality too deeply. Later, she hangs herself from a rope above the staircase still carrying the unborn child.
Steven was adopted when he was 3 months old. His origin is German/American/Native American. At 8 years old he is a very happy boy who in no way and at no time discovers the personal conflicts his parents are going through. Up until the age of 8 he thought his mother was a very amusing person. Steven seeks much of his identity from his mother and father. When his mother dies, the relationship bond between Steven and his father is strengthened. Despite his parents' personal drama, he leads a happy and secure life.
James is a very close family friend. He's known Ellen, John, and Paul for a long time. He is an older man around 60. He's the only character who knows the relationships between them all, since many of the tense scenes take place inside his pub. He is a very easy, jolly man who's always there for his friends.
Paul is in the 20s. He has established his own hairdressing salon. He is John's lover and one day he gets a visit from John's wife Ellen who'd like to become his new customer. Paul is very much in love with John; then at one point he finds out that John's wife is actually his customer. He later leaves John in favor of a younger man.
Andrew is Steven's classmate. A lively, cheerful boy who's ready for anything. He is also Steven's best friend.
A classic example of a man who spends his days working at the office. He has been friends with John and Ellen for many years.
A very charming woman around 42 years old. Like her husband, she's good friends with John and Ellen. She and Ellen meet for coffee occasionally.
Anne is John's secretary, and she has known John and Ellen for a long time.