Aunt Clara

A shrewd, kindly matriarch who privately calculates how to protect those under her uncle's legacy. She confronts deception in staff and relatives with calm resolve, becoming the moral center of the story. Her pragmatism masks a deep care for others and a willingness to confront corruption.

Clara's late uncle, whose fortune and estate kick-start the comedy of errors. His death reveals a world of gambling, vice, and loyalty, and his last wishes place responsibility on Clara. His legacy drives the plot and the shifting power dynamics in the family and staff.

Clara's loyal valet, who helps manage the estate and the various schemes at the pub and wheel. He is hand-in-glove with the staff but is ultimately treated as a trusted ally by Clara. His street-smart pragmatism often counterpoints the others' more naive plans.

The so-called natural daughter of Simon, whose arrangements and disappearance drive Clara to investigate. She is resourceful, morally grey, and central to the tale's misunderstandings and romantic developments. Her relationship with Charles Willis becomes a focal point at the end.

A solicitor who helps unravel the tangled finances and relationships around Simon's will. He brings a sense of justice and problem-solving to the group, balancing cynicism with a genuine concern for fairness. His actions catalyze key revelations and ultimate resolution.

A scheming bookmaker who, with his accomplice, deceives Clara about the true potential of the greyhounds. He represents petty crime and quick gains, often clashing with Clara's more principled approach. His plans make the race events a test of luck and cunning.

The operator behind the crooked Gambler's Luck wheel who serves as the external pressure against Clara. His presence heightens the stakes of the betting game and the chase by the police. He ultimately represents the criminal underbelly tied to the wheel of fortune.

Brothel owner who, like Clara, is navigating age and dependence. The ending ties her fate and that of her workers to Clara's inheritance, giving the film a moral sense of communal care. She serves as a counterpoint to respectable society.

One of the workers tied to the brothel world, illustrating the vulnerable characters who depend on Clara's final act of charity. Her presence adds emotional resonance to the theme of dignity and care for aging workers. She embodies those who live on the margins of the social order.

An ironic, streetwise character who provides a counterpoint to the more earnest players. He embodies the rough-edged humor of the community and adds a note of moral ambiguity to the social fabric. He contributes to the mixture of honesty and trickery in the plot.