Last Resort

Tanya is a young Russian mother who arrives in London seeking asylum for herself and her son Artyom, only to be confined in Stonehaven during the review process. She is resourceful and determined, but the stress of detention strains her, leading to difficult choices and moments of vulnerability. Her framed illustration from her past as a children's book illustrator symbolizes the life she wants for Artyom.

Artyom is Tanya's 10-year-old son who adapts to life in Stonehaven, bonding with Alfie, and drifting into a rougher peer group while seeking safety and belonging. He oscillates between vulnerability and a growing sense of independence, ultimately aligning with a protective figure. His bond with his mother and Alfie anchors his choices as the story unfolds.

Alfie is a former boxer who manages the local amusement arcade and becomes a protective, if flawed, ally to Tanya and Artyom. He shares the town's rough edges but offers practical help and emotional warmth as they plan to escape. His backstory hints at a life of disappointment and limited options in Stonehaven.

Les is an Internet pornographer who pays Tanya for webcam videos, exploiting her desperation and turning her struggles into money. He embodies predatory commercial pressure that treats people as means to an income. His intrusion into Tanya's life escalates tension and tests her willingness to endure for her son's sake.

Mark is Tanya's fiancé whom she expects to meet in London; his failure to arrive triggers a chain of events ending in a breakup, emphasizing the fragility of relationships under refugee crises. He represents a past life that cannot easily be maintained once a new path is chosen. The separation forces Tanya to rely on new support systems in Stonehaven.