From the Terrace

A navy veteran who returns to a fractured family and a looming family business. He is driven by ambition and a sense of debt to his father’s legacy, yet he frequently grapples with personal happiness and integrity. His arc traces a path from corporate ascent to a principled stand against duplicity.

Alfred’s close friend and financial ally who funds the Nassau Aircraft Corporation. He believes in invention and growth, sometimes prioritizing innovation over sales and practical outcomes. His loyalty and technical optimism help propel Alfred into major ventures.

A member of a wealthy family who defies her parents by pursuing a relationship with Alfred. She grows increasingly disillusioned by Alfred’s absences and social expectations, ultimately influencing the couple’s fate with a mix of longing and bitterness.

America’s most famous financier, a guardian of tradition and propriety who resists divorce and personal scandal within his firm. He wields power with a calculating, image-conscious approach, shaping Alfred’s career through high-stakes investments and moral rhetoric.

The compassionate daughter of a wealthy coal magnate who draws Alfred toward a warmer, more authentic life. Her warmth becomes a counterpoint to the rigidity of Alfred’s world, and she ultimately represents a possible new life away from corporate pressures.

MacHardie’s son-in-law who becomes entangled in Nassau’s ethics and profits. He resorts to blackmail and manipulation to protect his financial interests, turning personal vulnerability into a weapon against Alfred.

Alfred’s mother, driven to alcoholism by a long history of neglect and abuse from her husband. Her fragility underscores the emotional costs of a rigid, male-dominated household and a key catalyst for Alfred’s early estrangement from family.

Owner of a prestigious iron and steel company who resents his son’s withdrawal from the family business. His authority and traditional values create a hostile environment that drives Alfred away but later shape his resolve to redefine his own path.

A physician who becomes entangled in the personal drama surrounding Mary and Alfred’s relationship. His involvement highlights the social consequences of private affairs in a conservative era.