The duke of Gloucester and third son of the House of York. His exploits in battle against the House of Lancaster led to King Edward IV appointing him overseer of northern England. He and his wife Anne have a single son, Edward, to which he is not connected by blood. Shunned by his mother Cecily as a child, the wounds he sustained in battle have caused him to shut his heart away. Seeing the corruption of his elder brother Edward IV and the weakness of George, he sets his sights on his own destiny to come. He is of both the male and female gender, a fact he keeps a secret.

With the House of York's victory over Lancaster, the newly-crowned King Edward IV of England has a firm grasp on political power. Has two young sons with his wife Elizabeth, along with a daughter named Beth, but he remains a dyed-in-the-wool womanizer. A dark warning given to him buy a fortuneteller has put a deep, black shade on his future.

The duke of Clarence and second son of the House of York. His currently-pregnant wife Isabel is Anne's younger sister. Edward IV has carved out some of his lands to grant to Richard, which he deeply resents. The experience has driven him into alcoholism.

A servant who took care of Richard when he was young. He now works in the palace court as an assistant to Hastings, a close confidant to Edward IV. Fiercely loyal to Richard and the House of York. One of the few people who know the secret of Richard's body.

Richard's wife. She lives a peaceful life with Richard, but only on the surface. Although she does care for Richard, she spends her days with a strong sense of resignation.

Anne's younger sister. Married to George, with whom she has a son and daughter. Her persistence in deciding to follow George, even if it means betraying her father the Earl of Warwick, leads her to her destiny.

Queen and wife to King Edward IV; she has borne him two princes and a daughter, Beth. Seeing Jane win the king's favor and fearing he may have a change of heart about her, she fears that her power in the court is waning. In time, however, she comes to believe that as long as her two sons remain present, Edward's favor is no longer needed.

The wife of Richard, Duke of York, and the mother of his three children. Calls her youngest boy Richard a "devil child," detesting him as the cause of her misfortunes. Her words and actions bite deeply into Richard's heart.

An ambitious man who aims to become Richard's kingmaker. When Richard asks him to lend his strength, he responds by pressing him to swear that he has nothing to hide. Together they engage in assorted schemes to make Richard's ambitions a reality, forming an irreplaceable bond as they share in each other's fates.

The apparition of a French witch who was executed for cross-dressing. It had been a long time since she appeared to Richard…

A mysterious assassin with a scar over his left eye. No one knows his real name.

A woman whose bewitching charms allow her to take up with King Edward IV. She uses mysterious drugs to corrupt his court.

A survivor from the Lancastrian faction. A clownish and mischievous figure, he is secretly plotting to become king, causing turmoil across England.

The child of Richard and Anne. He is actually the son of Prince Edward, Anne's former husband.

The daughter of King Edward IV and Elizabeth. Hates to be called the same name as her mother, so she is called "Beth" instead. Innocent and fearless, she has a reckless streak that often takes her out on secret trips to confer with common folk in town. Has a fondness for Richard.

The sons of King Edward IV and Elizabeth.

The younger brother of Elizabeth.

Son of Elizabeth and John Grey. Elder brother of Grey.

Son of Elizabeth and John Grey. Younger brother of Dorset.