Pope Joan

A brilliant and determined young woman who studies the Bible and medical texts while hiding her true gender. She escapes a patriarchal household, uses disguise and intellect to pursue knowledge, and eventually influences the highest religious authority. Her journey from scholarly student to physician to pope reveals a relentless drive and the costs of defying social norms.

A noble who shelters Johanna, becomes her ally, and falls in love with her. He fights in Lothair I's army and is drawn into the power struggles surrounding the papacy. His loyalty and romance pull him deeper into the dangerous political game, ending in tragedy.

The pope who recognizes Johanna's medical skill and elevates her to Medicus and Nomenclator. His political maneuvering with Lothair I ignites the central conflict, and his relationship with power contrasts with his spiritual role.

A rival claimant to the papacy who plots Sergius's murder to seize the throne. His scheming embodies the brutal church politics and the costs of ambition.

A monarch who commands armies and forges alliances to secure his rule. His collaboration with Anastasius exposes the political gears behind papal power struggles. The era's diplomacy and warfare hinge on his choices.

Wife of Lothair I who uses her influence to shape dynastic marriages and maneuver for power. She embodies courtly intrigue and the behind-the-scenes machinery of politics.

The elderly physician and teacher who introduces Johanna to scripture and literature, guiding her early medical education. His mentorship helps unlock her talents and sets her path toward Rome.

A clerical figure whose story intertwines with Johanna's, ultimately connected to Arnalda and the hidden lineage that shapes the broader narrative.

A Saxon mother whose faith and quiet influence anchor the family’s response to Johanna's unorthodox path. Her presence underscores the clash between private belief and public ambition.