English Without Tears

A xenophobic, aristocratic patron who wields cultural influence with a desire to shield Britain's birds and heritage. Her rigid worldview masks a traditional mindset, steering family and diplomacy toward social performance. She champions sanctuaries as imperial stewardship, even as they raise tensions with delegates and Joan.

A duty-bound British delegate to the League of Nations who must balance institutional responsibility with personal vulnerabilities. He negotiates political pressures and misunderstandings while navigating the evolving diplomatic landscape. His perspective reflects privilege colliding with changing times.

A loyal, proper butler turned officer wrestling with duty and humanity. Initially resistant to social reform, his wartime experiences provoke growth toward greater empathy and openness to love. His arc traces from rigid propriety to evolving humanity.

Lady Christabel's niece, a young Englishwoman who questions class rules and asserts independence. She grows into a confident tutor for officers and pursues love, then faces the tension between youth and social expectations. Her evolution mirrors wartime social change.

A Norwegian interpreter and refugee whose presence reveals tensions between romance and political calculations. She serves as a translator who exposes misunderstandings and helps navigate diplomatic crosswinds. Her arc intersects with Joan's and the male characters' ambitions.

A French romantic novelist who engages with delegates and offers a counterpoint to the British perspective. His charm fuels the competitive pursuit of Joan’s affection and embodies a cosmopolitan, artful approach to diplomacy.

A Polish political cartoonist whose wit exposes the fragility of European alliances. He contributes banter and tension, using humor to illuminate political currents beneath diplomatic civility.

A representative of Polish/Allied forces whose presence highlights cross-national cooperation under wartime strain. He participates in diplomatic and social exchanges that shape the evolving alliance.