IRIS, 30, open ethnicity, FRANCOPHONE, is an interior designer and Rex’s owner. Coming from an affluent bourgeois background, she grows up believing that the world is structured according to a clear and unshakable hierarchy. From an early age, she learns how to get what she wants while concealing her deepest vulnerabilities, particularly a fear of abandonment stemming from her parents’ divorce. Elegant and polished, with a natural screen presence. Socially confident, she is highly controlled in her appearance, posture, gestures and language. Perfectionist, demanding, and organized, she has a natural sense of authority. She can be warm and charming, but there should always be a sense that she is carefully observing and controlling her environment. Able to convey subtle violence through a look, silence, or polite remark rather than direct confrontation. Beneath her calm exterior and control, she hides a certain vulnerability. She must be able to portray an ambiguous attachment to Julia, combining genuine affection, condescension, jealousy, and a need for closeness. A morally complex character that should not immediately come across as “the bad guy.”

LIAM, 33, open ethnicity, FRANCOPHONE, Iris’s husband and Rex’s owner, is a charismatic man who is highly skilled in social interactions. Coming from a wealthy family with dubious business practices, Liam learned early that power belongs to those who know how to bend the rules. Behind his image as a self-made man on social media, much of Liam’s success is built on his family’s money and Iris’s wealth. Their marriage is a constant power struggle: Iris is both his greatest trophy and a threat to his need for control. Liam needs to seduce, possess, and feel that he dominates his surroundings. When a problem arises, he is not interested in the truth, but in whatever version of events best serves him. Athletic, polished, and socially confident, with an effortless air of success. Charming and energetic, he naturally draws attention in a room and can appear warm, funny, and generous. His charisma should gradually reveal something more intimidating and unsettling beneath the surface. The actor should be able to portray an ambiguous, manipulative, and controlling character without immediately appearing antagonistic, while suggesting contained violence behind his charming, composed exterior. Comfortable with psychological tension and power dynamics.

Alice, open ethnicity, FRANCOPHONE, is Julia’s classmate in dental practicals. At 25, she is younger and more resourceful than Julia. A final-year dental hygiene student, she absolutely needs to complete her practical requirements in order to graduate. Although she is paired with Julia, Alice takes on most of the work. More mature, worldly, and highly sociable, Alice tolerates Julia without considering her a friend. They never spend time together outside of school. Sharp and resourceful, Alice is hardworking and socially capable, with a grounded, no-nonsense energy.

A respected literature professor at a prestigious college. Margaret is intelligent, thoughtful, and quietly ambitious. Once an aspiring novelist, she has spent years setting aside her own creative aspirations in favor of the stable, predictable life expected of her. Beneath her composed exterior is a deeply curious woman searching for purpose beyond the roles she's been asked to play, torn between the comfort of certainty and the longing to live more authentically.

A distinguished professor and respected literary scholar, Dr. Pembroke is an encouraging mentor with a genuine passion for nurturing new voices. Thoughtful and measured, he recognizes talent in others and believes literature has the power to shape culture. Years in academia, however, have also taught him the value, and the consequences, of compromise. Unique looks welcome.

A free-spirited artist and poet living in Greenwich Village, Alice approaches life with curiosity, warmth, and unwavering honesty. Independent and creatively driven, she values authenticity above convention and believes art should reflect life's deepest truths. While fiercely confident in her identity, she carries the quiet vulnerability of someone who has learned that living openly often comes at a cost. Female 37 yrs. Long hair is a plus.

A successful corporate executive, Ross is confident, disciplined, and deeply invested in maintaining the life he has built. Practical and ambitious, he believes stability is earned through hard work, order, and tradition. Though dependable and outwardly charming, his need for control leaves little room for uncertainty or perspectives that challenge his understanding of the world. Comfort with improvisation is welcome.

Alice's roommate and closest friend, Patricia is grounded, perceptive, and fiercely loyal. Practical where Alice is idealistic, she has a clear-eyed understanding of the realities facing queer women in the 1960s. Her warmth and quiet wit make her a steady source of support, even when she isn't afraid to tell the people she loves what they need to hear.

An experienced New York publisher, Alvin Jewett is polished, pragmatic, and keenly aware of the realities of the publishing industry. He has an instinct for recognizing exceptional writing, but his decisions are guided as much by commercial viability as artistic merit. Courteous and professional, he sees compromise as an unavoidable part of bringing stories to the public.

A prospective buyer interested in Alice’s art collection. He contacts Alice with an offer to purchase it and later negotiates a sale. He appears by phone only (off-screen voice), so the role requires a confident, professional voice with a courteous, businesslike tone.

Kathleen is Ross's efficient and conscientious assistant. Polite and somewhat reserved, she approaches her responsibilities with professionalism and takes care to communicate information clearly, even when dealing with Margaret. Her interactions with Margaret are courteous but formal, reflecting the structured professional environment Ross has created around himself.

Miss Hartley is the polished, professional secretary who manages the front desk at Mr. Jewett's publishing firm. Efficient and courteous, she acts as the first point of contact between the publisher and his clients, maintaining the formal, orderly atmosphere of the office. Though she has only a brief appearance, she embodies the professional machinery surrounding the publishing industry. She’s curt and sassy, with a few cats at home.

Working at a local restaurant.

Sherilyn, early, 20s. An ordinary-looking young woman with slightly droopy, half-lidded eyes and a subtly melancholic gaze. Her personality can shift from charming to deeply unsettling in a heartbeat. She is impulsive and often blind to the harm she causes others, she uses dark humour and sarcasm to mask her fragility and loneliness. Beneath her tough exterior lies a deeply wounded young woman, torn between her desire to be loved and the terrifying consequences of the only protection she has ever known. Desperate to experience intimacy after many failed attempts, she invites a new boyfriend, Ted, into her bedroom, only to have her attempt at connection unravel under the watch of her fiercely protective monster. **Please note this role has simulated intimacy, sensual physical contact, graphic horror violence and gore, intense emotional distress, a scene involving a blade held to the throat, and strong language.**

Ted, early 20s. A slightly overweight, sweet-natured young man. He has an endearing, boyish quality, with a playful sense of humor and an earnest, almost disarming innocence. He feels a little out of place among the cool, edgy crowd around him. Affectionate, trusting, and genuinely devoted to his girlfriend, Sherilyn, he wears his heart on his sleeve and wants nothing more than to make her happy. When a romantic evening turns into a nightmare, Ted’s sweetness gives way to disbelief and escalating panic as he faces imminent death. An ordinary young man completely out of his depth, he must fight to survive. Requires strong comedic timing and the ability to shift from awkward charm to increasingly frantic terror. **Please note this role has simulated intimacy, partial nudity (underwear), graphic horror violence and gore, physical distress, and strong language.**

Alexander is quiet, organized, and emotionally guarded. He does not easily make friends and he mistrusts people that he doesn’t know, and it takes him time to get to know new people. He prefers being in his own company and socializes with just a small group of friends. Underneath he is compassionate and before making decisions he considers what someone else would feel before thinking about himself. Alexander carries a lot of anger and sadness within him that makes him appear emotionally closed. He is also nostalgic and holds on to what happy memories he has from his childhood, especially those with his father. Alexander loves his sister but he hates some of the choices that she has made, particularly those that affected hi during his childhood. The arrival of his sister for his father’s funeral makes him realize that having left the country and society that left him vulnerable and cautious, he stills views the world in the same manner an ocean away

Sofia has a strong personality and a strong will. She is outspoken and direct. She will neve back down from an argument. Sofia is an adaptable person and makes connections wit others easily. However, she prefers to keep her inner most thoughts and traumas to herself. Her biggest struggle is her relationship with her father. She never achieved the relationship with her father that she wanted. Sofia carries herself in a confident manner and so may s judgemental. She is often sarcastic. She is open to share her beliefs and opinions when asked. She is extremely independent and has a high sense of honour and will unflinchingly uphol what she thinks is right. Her brother, Alexander, is a person she loves but doesn’t like or understand. As well she harbours resentment towards Alexander for the ease and comfort of his relationship with their father.

A reliable and direct person that doesn’t give excuses for his actions or things he says. He is Alexander’s friend and sometime confidant Tom accepts Alexander for who he i with all the good and bad attached. He is a person who is there for people he cares about without saying, rather by being available.

Quiet, pensive and cautious. He is the "good son" — disconnected from adulthood and violence. His mom Victoria is over-protective and keeps him close. He is the embodiment of innocence and moral distance. He is unsure of himself and fears the outside world but wants to learn how to support his family.