Never on a Sunday

A self-employed prostitute and free spirit who navigates the port city's rough economy with a stubbornly hopeful outlook. She maintains a close circle of regulars and treats Sunday gatherings as a rare day off from her work. She negotiates her boundaries with clients, insisting that she 'sets no prices' and only acts if she likes the person. Her choices drive the story and ultimately test whether reform or romance will define her future.

A half-Italian dockworker who is drawn to Ilya from the start, Tonio's gaze lingers as he pursues a chance to win her exclusive attention. He transforms his admiration into resolve, determined to alter his life and, perhaps, take Ilya to Italy for a fresh start. He becomes a catalyst and a counterpoint to Homer's reformist approach, balancing romance with the city’s power dynamics.

An American scholar of classical Hellenic culture, Homer Thrace believes happiness comes from understanding and education. He views Ilya through a lens of reform, funding a two-week program to 'train' her in culture and knowledge. He quotes Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, framing culture as a path to improvement, but his paternalistic approach clashes with Ilya's autonomy. By the end, his plan feels uncertain as he contemplates leaving for the United States.

A powerful landlord who controls apartment rents and views Ilya as a destabilizing symbol. He finances Homer’s reform project to steer the outcome, using legal leverage to suppress worker resistance. He represents the capital's grip on the harbor's inhabitants and the power to fine or freeze livelihoods.

A leader among the strikers who appeals directly to Ilya and mobilizes the workers against Noface's rents. He coordinates pressure and solidarity, framing the conflict as a collective struggle rather than a personal feud. He helps drive the narrative toward a broader social change.