Dr. Brown
Dr. Brown is the central character of season 1. He comes from a long line of Doctors and religious men. He is kind to a fault and will do anything to help his fellow man. Dr. Browne is an incredibly pious man and struggles with the fact that he owns 50 slaves. Despite his wife’s protests, he teaches his 3 children that slaves are people, and that they
should be treated as such. He even wants to set aside money for the slaves when they are freed. Being a well-read man, Dr. Browne follows the abolitionist cause and sees that the country may be headed for civil war and that the institution of slavery may end sooner than later. Knowledge that slavery may end however, offers few remedies for the condition of his slaves today. Dr. Browne meets with his slaves and proclaims that no more slaves will be purchased, that no families will be split up, and that each of them would be able to grow their own crops and sell them after the war.

Dr. Brown is a flawless man, with an unfortunate flaw, a bad heart. He chronicles his symptoms in a diary, that also ends up containing his inner most thoughts. His diary is locked away, with the only key being carefully placed in the Dr.’s study, where no one is allowed, other than his older son, Ezekiel. Dr. Brown feels more obligation than love for
his wife, Daisy Leigh. His young bride comes from a Greek Immigrant family, who has fallen upon hard times. The obvious disconnect in spirituality and culture makes the union a difficult one for both.

Daisy Leigh Browne
Formally Danae Helena Melaina, Daisy’s family emigrated from Greece when she was an infant. Her Grandfather and Grandmother Kostas and Ana Elpis (“Yaya”) brought their granddaughter with them to America when her parents were killed in 1821, during the Greek War of Independence. Her grandparents were very successful olive oil importers and raised their granddaughter with the best of everything. However, the unforeseen death of Kostas resulted in the spiraling of the olive oil business as well as the soul of Daisy. Kostas gave his granddaughter the nickname Daisy, because of the beautiful Daisy field he grew up next to in his homeland. When Kosta died, a large part of Daisy was buried with him.

Daisy met Dr. Browne when she brought her ailing grandmother into his office. Dr. Browne was struck with her olive skin and timeless beauty, Daisy was struck by Dr. Browne’s stability.

 

Ana Elpis (“Yaya”) Yaya is unpleasant. She is an old, cantankerous woman. She has been hardened by loss and sorrow. She lacks compassion for anything that is, and only concerns herself with dealing with what is. Her heart was buried with Kostas. Now she rises to see another day only to see Daisy take her rightful place.

 

Jacob Faulcon Browne
Jacob is a playful teenaged boy when we begin our story. He is very intelligent, as academics are stressed by his father, but his passion is planting. He loves the soil, loves the air, and loves the trees. A perfect day for Jacob is sitting under the apple tree with his best friend Washington, a slave boy, reading books. Jacob and Washington had been sneaking away for years to read books and talk. Jacob thought that everybody should get to read books, even slaves. Since Jacob does not want to be a Doctor, his father preferred that he become a man of the cloth. Jacob isn’t trading in his love of the outdoors and farming for his father’s dream, so he sets off to learn as much as he can about farming.
Jacob’s mother does not approve of this choice of life, which drives a further divide in the family. This does not affect Jacob because he will never allow anyone to make any decisions for him.

Washington
Washington is a 15-year-old slave boy. He also just happens to be Jacob’s best friend. They tell each other everything about their everyday lives and sneak away to be kids. Washington has a natural gift of reading people. He curries favor all over the Plantation with his winning smile and very proper manners. He is the favorite of the Plantation, other than Daisy who thinks that his influence over Jacob is superior to hers. Since learning to read from Jacob, Washington has been integral in teaching other slaves to read, which is highly forbidden. Washington’s undoing will be the very talent that he possesses.

 

Rose Fain
Rose is the gorgeous, fair skinned cook, who was purchased from the Turner family. She is a renowned cook and her purported Cajun blood is manifested in her delicious treats. She is extremely outspoken and very much in charge for a slave, because her special talent makes her extremely valuable and irreplaceable. She knows this and works it to her
advantage. Rose falls deeply in love in Jacob, whom she starts a family with, but will raise alone.

Byron Jacob Brown (Young)
Byron is the first born of the Brown clan. He is the apple of his father Jacob’s eye. He is also
the Bain of Daisy’s existence. Byron is the master of his surroundings and will always look to
get ahead. He is protective of his mother and siblings, but disappointed in the relationship with
his father, who he is a dead ringer for.