The Housemaid characters

Also known as Wilhelmina Calloway

Appears from the start

A woman in her twenties who has been living out of her car since her release from prison, applying for any job that will take someone with a conviction on her record. She is practical, observant, and used to being turned down once an employer runs a background check, so she says as little about her past as she can get away with. Offered a live-in housekeeping position with a wealthy family, she takes it knowing she has no better option.

Appears from the start

The woman of the Winchester house, a wealthy Long Island wife who conducts Millie's interview with warmth and no real scrutiny and hires her on the spot. She is disorganized, effusive, and hard to read, and her attention moves quickly from one thing to another.

First appears in chapter 3

Nina's husband, a handsome and successful man who is unfailingly courteous to the staff and easy to talk to. He apologizes for his wife's behaviour where others would complain about it, and he is the only person in the house who treats Millie as a person rather than as hired help.

Also known as Cece

First appears in chapter 3

The Winchesters' nine-year-old daughter, devoted to ballet and impeccably behaved. She is polite to Millie in a way that never becomes friendly, watches more than she says, and seems entirely untroubled by what happens between her parents.

First appears in chapter 5

The Italian landscaper who maintains the Winchesters' grounds. He speaks little English and Millie speaks no Italian, but he goes out of his way to make her understand that she is in danger and should leave the house, which she cannot afford to do.

First appears in chapter 30

Andrew's mother, immaculate, imposing, and entirely certain of her place. She keeps her son's household at arm's length and makes clear that the Winchester name and the Winchester money are hers to look after.

First appears in chapter 46

A woman who was engaged to Andrew Winchester years before he married Nina. The engagement ended abruptly and nobody who knew her has heard from her since.