Clementine Churchill
Granddaughter of an Earl, once declared “the most beautiful girl in England,” an aristocrat chafing at the unwritten rules of British upper class life. Intelligent, charismatic, ahead of her time, with great physical courage, she yearns for a larger role and personal fulfillment. She finds empowerment on an expedition to Indonesia and makes a life-changing decision to return and become Winston Churchill’s most influential adviser and social conscience. Winston later said it was Clementine who made “my life & any work I have done possible.”
Winston Churchill
Brilliant, witty, athletic, filled with ambition at an early age. Not the Churchill familiar to the general public, but rather the private Winston — energetic, an enthusiastic painter in oils and watercolour, an active horse rider and Polo player. His hair is still reddish, though receding, and he builds stone walls on his country estate with great enthusiasm. He declares, “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.”
Walter Guinness & Lady Vera Broughton
Walter Guinness, Lord Moyne, a friend of the Churchill’s and, as heir to the Guinness brewing fortune, one of the richest men in England, is a leading amateur naturalist and thinks it will be great fun to capture some Komodo dragons for the London Zoo on his magnificent yacht the Rosaura. Author of a dozen books on the wild places of the world, he is witty and enthusiastic and the perfect host for Clementine’s life-changing journey.
Lady Vera Broughton is both a 1930’s socialite, smoking French cigarettes in an ivory holder, and a thoroughly modern professional woman, a noted reporter and photographer for National Geographic Magazine. Lady Vera is Walter Guinness’ mistress, wife of his best friend, and plays a key role in Clementine examining her beliefs about marriage, the role of women in society, and the rising Nazi menace. She also serves as a role model for Clementine’s youthful companion Nelly Kiefer.
Terence Philip
Urbane art dealer, seven years younger than Clementine. They share drinks, dances and earnest conversation, explore nature together and find they are in harmony in many areas of life. With a combination of Terence’s charm, the sunshine and the exoticism of the voyage it is not long before they fall in love.