Character guide

Newland Archer

major

Also known as Archer, Mr. Archer, Newland

A young lawyer from a prominent New York family, engaged to May Welland.

Ellen Olenska

major

Also known as Countess Olenska, Madame Olenska, Ellen

May Welland's cousin, who returns from Europe with a scandalous reputation.

May Welland

major

Also known as May Archer, May, Miss Welland

Newland Archer's fiancée and later wife, embodying old New York innocence.

Mrs. Archer

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Newland Archer, young Mrs. Archer

Newland's mother, a pillar of New York society.

Janey Archer

supporting

Also known as Janey, Archer

Newland's unmarried sister, living with their mother.

Sillerton Jackson

supporting

Also known as old Sillerton Jackson, Mr. Sillerton Jackson, old Jackson

An elderly gentleman who knows everyone's family secrets.

Julius Beaufort

supporting

Also known as Beaufort, Mr. Beaufort

A wealthy and flashy banker with a questionable reputation.

Mrs. Julius Beaufort

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Beaufort, young Mrs. Beaufort

Beaufort's wife, a socially ambitious woman.

Mrs. Manson Mingott

supporting

Also known as old Mrs. Mingott, Granny Mingott, Mingott

The formidable matriarch of the Mingott family.

Mrs. Welland

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Jack Welland

May's mother, a conventional society woman.

Mr. Welland

supporting

Also known as a Mr. Welland

May's father, a mild-mannered gentleman.

Lawrence Lefferts

supporting

Also known as Larry Lefferts, Lefferts

A fashionable man known for his expertise on social matters.

Henry van der Luyden

supporting

Also known as Mr. van der Luyden, cousin Henry

The head of the most aristocratic family in New York.

Mrs. Henry van der Luyden

supporting

Also known as Mrs. van der Luyden

Henry's wife, a quiet but powerful social arbiter.

Medora Manson

supporting

Also known as poor Medora Manson, aunt Medora

Ellen's eccentric aunt who raised her in Europe.

Letterblair

minor

Also known as Old Mr. Letterblair, Mr. Letterblair

The senior partner at the law firm where Newland works.

Regina Dallas

minor

Also known as Regina, Dallas

A lively young woman from a less strict family.

M. Rivière

minor

Also known as Rivière

A French tutor and intellectual who befriends Newland.

Ned Winsett

minor

Also known as Winsett, poor Winsett

A journalist and friend of Newland with artistic aspirations.

Mrs. Lemuel Struthers

minor

Also known as Struthers, Mrs. Struthers

A wealthy widow with a slightly bohemian social circle.

Count Olenski

minor

Also known as Olenski

Ellen's estranged Polish husband.

Fanny Ring

minor

Also known as Miss Fanny Ring, Fanny

A young woman associated with Beaufort's set.

Dr. Carver

minor

Also known as the Carver

A charismatic preacher followed by Medora Manson.

Sophy Jackson

minor

Also known as Miss Sophy Jackson, Miss Jackson

Sillerton Jackson's unmarried sister.

Nastasia

minor

Ellen Olenska's maid.

Louisa Dagonet

minor

Also known as cousin Louisa, Miss Louisa Dagonet

A cousin of the van der Luydens.

Duke of St. Austrey

minor

Also known as The Duke, Duke

An English duke visiting New York society.

Emerson Sillerton

minor

Also known as Professor Emerson Sillerton, Professor

A professor and brother of Sillerton Jackson.

Augusta Welland

minor

Also known as Augusta

May Welland's aunt.

Mary Mingott

minor

Also known as Mary

A member of the Mingott family.

Amy Sillerton

minor

Also known as Amy, the Sillerton

A young woman from the Sillerton family.

Ada Dyas

minor

An actress mentioned in society gossip.

Madame Nilsson

minor

An opera singer performing in New York.

Harry Montague

minor

Also known as Montague

A young man in society.

Fanny Beaufort

minor

Also known as Beaufort

Julius Beaufort's daughter from his first marriage.

Adeline Archer

minor

Also known as Adeline

Newland's deceased sister or aunt, mentioned in passing.

Miss Archer

minor

A generic reference to an unmarried Archer woman.

Cornwallis

minor

A historical figure briefly alluded to.

Mr. Skipworth

minor

A minor acquaintance in society.

Mr. Brown

minor

Also known as Brown

A minor character, possibly a servant or tradesman.

Miss Harle

minor

A young woman mentioned in social context.

Ida Lewis

minor

A woman mentioned in passing.

Grandmamma Spicer

minor

An elderly relative of the Archer family.

Bill

minor

Also known as little Bill

A young boy, possibly a servant or child in a minor scene.