Restoration

A brilliant but pleasure-seeking young physician who thrives in the King’s court. His charm buys him status and indulgence, yet his heart discovers truer nourishment in acts of care and self-sacrifice. His arc follows a fall from favor and a rebirth through compassionate medicine.

The King’s favored mistress who becomes a pawn in courtly schemes. She enters Merivel’s life through a strategic arrangement and is central to the tension between personal longing and political performance. She bears a child but does not return Merivel’s affections.

The flamboyant ruler who choreographs Merivel’s rise and fall. His decisions shape the moral and political landscape of the era, wielding power with charisma and a wily sense of theater. His administration tests loyalty, privilege, and ambition.

Merivel’s old friend who now runs a Quaker sanitarium. Pearce embodies restraint and moral clarity, offering a counterpoint to Merivel’s reckless court life. Their bond rekindles through shared adversity and grief.

A cunning artist commissioned to paint Celia’s portrait. Finn uses his talent to unmask truth and manipulate perceptions, complicating Merivel’s romantic entanglements. His art becomes both spectacle and instrument.

A troubled young woman whose life intersects with Merivel’s. Their relationship produces a child, and Katharine’s suffering and resilience illuminate themes of vulnerability and endurance in a harsh era.

Estate manager at Bidnold who helps restore the house and supports Merivel. Loyal and capable, he represents practical wisdom and steadiness amid upheaval.

Merivel and Katharine’s daughter, born amid plague and tragedy. Her survival becomes a beacon of hope and a key motivation for Merivel’s renewed purpose to establish care for others.

The King’s influential mistress who embodies court intrigue and manipulation. She drives the political necessity behind the marriage arrangement and the power dynamics at court.