Things They Never Said Characters

Danny Cartwright's sister and a caterer who is still grieving her brother and blaming Alexander Sinclaire for his death. She is also a former anorexia sufferer, Jay's flatmate, and Melissa's younger sister. Her flat is her sanctuary, and she is trying to build her catering career while managing family crises.

Arc: She moves from anger and misplaced blame over Danny's death to reconciliation with her father, Ruth, and Alexander. She confronts her past, tells Alexander the truth about her fears and possible infertility, and eventually marries him.

• Alexander Sinclaire — romantic interest and eventual husband
• Danny Cartwright — her late brother
• Melissa — her older sister
• Jay — flatmate, friend, and later business partner
• Diane — her mother
• Andrew — her father
• Nikki — rival who lies about being pregnant by Alexander
• Tia Mcintyre — catering client
• Sophie — her niece
• Ben — her nephew
• Ruth — her stepmother
• Simon — her brother-in-law

Also called Alex, he is Danny's university friend who became estranged from him and is haunted by the deaths of his wife Kas and their unborn child. He works on property interiors and restaurant plans with Tia and is trying to rebuild his life after returning from Dubai. He initially visits Liz to explain why he missed Danny's funeral.

Arc: He moves from grief, guilt, and hostility toward Liz to falling in love with her and wanting a future with her. He confronts Nikki's false pregnancy claim, reconciles with Liz, and prepares to marry her.

• Liz — romantic partner and eventual wife
• Kas — his late wife
• Danny Cartwright — his late university friend
• Tia Mcintyre — business partner and friend
• Nikki — ex-girlfriend who lies about being pregnant
• Roberto — restaurant business collaborator
• Lena — his mother-in-law through Kas
• Lord Weatherton — acquaintance and client contact

Alexander's ex-girlfriend, introduced to him by Tia, who refuses to accept their breakup. She claims to be pregnant with his child, manipulates situations to keep him, and tries to drive Liz away. She is connected to Susie as a friend.

Arc: She escalates from claiming an engagement to claiming pregnancy, refuses to provide proof, and finally confesses to Alexander that the pregnancy was a lie before leaving.

• Alexander Sinclaire — ex-girlfriend who claims he is the father of her child
• Liz — rival she tries to discourage
• Tia Mcintyre — woman who introduced her to Alexander
• Susie — her friend

Also called Mel, she is Liz's older sister and Danny's sister, married to Simon and mother to Sophie and Ben. She arrives at Liz's flat after leaving Simon over a lie about their Crete holiday and later suspects him of an affair. She is protective of Danny's memory and struggles with her mother's abandonment.

Arc: She moves from marital suspicion and financial denial to working with Simon to save his veterinary practice. She supports Liz through their father's death, later repairs her relationship with Diane, and gives Liz a locket before the wedding.

• Liz — her younger sister
• Simon — her husband
• Sophie — her daughter
• Ben — her son
• Danny Cartwright — her late brother
• Diane — her estranged mother
• Andrew — her father
• Ruth — her stepmother

A chef and Liz's flatmate and friend, later her business partner. He is supportive of Liz, hurt when Susie asks for space, and eventually leaves La Emporium after Louis blocks his promotion. He begins dating Emma.

Arc: He moves from a supportive flatmate and sous-chef to Liz's full business partner, after confronting his work situation and leaving Roberto's kitchen. He also moves on from Susie and into a relationship with Emma.

• Liz — flatmate, friend, and business partner
• Susie — ex-girlfriend who asks for space
• Emma — girlfriend and head waitress
• Roberto — his boss at La Emporium
• Louis — colleague who blocks his promotion
• Ben — child who looks up to him
• Sophie — child he helps entertain

Liz and Melissa's late brother, who died in a car accident. He was gay, secretly in love with Alexander Sinclaire, and depressed over his unrequited feelings and Alex's engagement to Kas. His diary and unsent letter reveal that Liz initially mistook his note for a suicide note.

Arc: Though dead before the main story, the truth about his diary and unsent letter transforms Liz's and Alexander's understanding of his death and shifts blame away from Alexander.

• Liz — his sister
• Melissa — his sister
• Alexander Sinclaire — friend he secretly loved
• Kas — Alex's wife, of whom he was jealous
• Andrew — his father
• Diane — his mother

An interior designer and Alexander's business partner and friend, also a catering client of Liz's. She proposes restaurant ventures, hosts dinners, and sometimes meddles in Alexander's love life. She is skeptical of mixing emotional and working relationships.

Arc: She moves from trying to push Alexander toward Liz to focusing on the restaurant project and protecting it. She questions Liz's professionalism but later endorses Liz's food at the tasting session.

• Alexander Sinclaire — business partner and friend
• Liz — catering client and later potential function chef
• Roberto — restaurant business collaborator
• Nikki — woman she introduced to Alexander
• Penelope — friend
• Frazier — her sometimes companion

The owner and chef at La Emporium, where Liz formerly worked and Jay is employed. He is an old-school mentor who praised Liz's improvement and later plans a new restaurant with Tia and Alexander. He is married to Maria and expects a baby.

Arc: He moves from Liz's former boss and mentor to a potential restaurant partner who accepts Liz and Jay's tender for function catering. He also questions Liz's resilience before approving their professionalism.

• Liz — former employee and caterer
• Jay — his employee
• Tia Mcintyre — restaurant business collaborator
• Alexander Sinclaire — restaurant business collaborator
• Louis — his deputy chef
• Maria — his wife

Alexander's late wife, remembered as the most beautiful woman he had met. She was fourteen weeks pregnant when she died of sepsis, and her death leaves Alexander with grief and guilt. She appears mainly through Alexander's memories and a photograph.

Arc: She does not change, but Alexander's memories of her and their lost baby shape his hesitation and eventual decision to move forward with Liz.

• Alexander Sinclaire — her husband
• Danny Cartwright — Alex's friend, who criticized her engagement
• Lena — her mother

Melissa's husband and a vet, father of Sophie and Ben. He never booked the family's Crete holiday, which leads Melissa to leave him, and he later reveals that his veterinary practice is in financial trouble. He supports Melissa and her family during Andrew's funeral.

Arc: He moves from being suspected of an affair to admitting his secret financial troubles and working with Melissa to save the practice. He carries Andrew's coffin and delivers the eulogy.

• Melissa — his wife
• Sophie — his daughter
• Ben — his son
• Liz — his sister-in-law
• Andrew — his father-in-law

Also called Mum, she is Liz and Melissa's mother, who left the family after Danny's death and ran off to Spain with Carlos. She later returns after Carlos ruins her financially and seeks to reconnect with her daughters.

Arc: She moves from an absent and resented mother to a woman trying to stand on her own feet, finding work cooking and living with Ruth. She supports Liz and Mel during Andrew's funeral and slowly repairs trust with Melissa.

• Liz — her daughter
• Melissa — her daughter
• Andrew — her former partner
• Carlos — her former partner who leaves her with nothing
• Ruth — friend who hosts her

Andrew's wife and Liz and Melissa's stepmother, married to him after Diane left. She is caring and understanding, supports Andrew at the hospital, and hosts Diane after Carlos abandons her. Liz initially resents her but comes to appreciate her.

Arc: She moves from a resented stepmother to a reconciled family figure as Liz apologizes to her and they hold hands at Andrew's bedside. She remains a source of support through Andrew's death.

• Andrew — her husband
• Liz — her stepdaughter
• Melissa — her stepdaughter
• Diane — friend she hosts

Liz and Melissa's father, called Dad in the notes. He frequently argued with Danny, later blamed himself for Danny's death, and married Ruth after Diane left. He becomes seriously injured in a car accident and dies after a coma.

Arc: He reconciles with Liz in his garden, admits his failures, and says he loves her. After his accident and death, his family grieves and reconciles around him.

• Liz — his daughter
• Melissa — his daughter
• Danny Cartwright — his late son
• Ruth — his wife
• Diane — his former partner
• Simon — his son-in-law

Melissa and Simon's daughter and Liz's niece, who arrives with her mother and is absorbed in her phone. She suspects her mother's distress involves her father and later warms to Liz during their outing. She helps make pizza and rides attractions with Liz.

Arc: She moves from guarded suspicion about her parents to a more open, affectionate relationship with Liz during the stay and Chessington trip.

• Melissa — her mother
• Simon — her father
• Liz — her aunt
• Ben — her sibling
• Jay — plays games with her

Melissa and Simon's son and Liz's nephew, who arrives absorbed in his iPad. He enjoys pizza with Liz, plays Xbox with Jay, and eagerly rides Chessington attractions, developing a hero crush on Jay.

Arc: He moves from a distracted child to an enthusiastic participant in family time and theme-park rides.

• Melissa — his mother
• Simon — his father
• Liz — his aunt
• Sophie — his sibling
• Jay — figure he looks up to

Jay's girlfriend who asks for space to decide whether they have a future, and later appears at Winston's with another man. She is a friend of Nikki and delivers the news of Nikki's claimed pregnancy to Liz. She looks down on Liz and still shows interest in Jay.

Arc: She moves from Jay's uncertain girlfriend to his ex after revealing she has been seeing another man for months. She remains connected to Nikki and delivers the pregnancy gossip to Liz.

• Jay — ex-girlfriend
• Nikki — her friend
• Liz — acquaintance she looks down on

A booked helper and later head waitress for Liz, who brings student waiting staff from her college to the fashion show. She works reliably in the kitchen and begins dating Jay. Liz notices a spark between Emma and Jay.

Arc: She moves from Liz's helper to a reliable head waitress and Jay's girlfriend.

• Liz — her employer and catering team leader
• Jay — her boyfriend

Introduced as Henry, he is a wealthy client who praises Liz's canapés and hires her for a large country-house event. He hosts Lucinda Weatherton's engagement party and assumes Alexander will marry Nikki. He is pleased with Liz's catering and kisses her hand.

Arc: He moves from a potential client to a satisfied employer who praises Liz's work and questions Alexander about marrying Nikki.

• Liz — catering client
• Alexander Sinclaire — acquaintance who congratulates him on becoming a father
• Lucinda Weatherton — hosts her engagement party at his estate
• Mrs Anderson — his employee

Roberto's deputy chef at La Emporium, who bullies and undermines Liz and believes a woman's place is in the home. He later blocks Jay's promotion and lets the prospect of advancement go to his head. His bullying contributes to Liz leaving La Emporium.

Arc: His bullying is exposed to Roberto by Jay, putting his job at risk.

• Liz — bullied her at La Emporium
• Jay — employee who reports his bullying
• Roberto — his employer

Diane's partner in Spain, who flirts with Liz, assaults her, and spreads lies that her mother believes. He later re-mortgages the apartment, clears the bank account, and leaves Diane with nothing.

Arc: He does not change; his assault on Liz and financial ruin of Diane deepen family conflict and contribute to Diane's return.

• Diane — former partner he financially ruins
• Liz — assaulted and lied about her

Alexander's cousin and Sebastian's mother, who hosts her son's christening. She praises Liz's food and celebrates her son's christening. She is married to Justin.

Arc: She remains a minor supporting figure in Alexander's family life.

• Alexander Sinclaire — her cousin and Sebastian's godfather
• Justin — her husband
• Sebastian — her son
• Liz — catering client

Amanda's husband and Sebastian's father, who tells Alexander there was a reason they asked him to be Sebastian's godfather. He supports Amanda at the christening.

Arc: He remains a minor supporting figure in Alexander's family life.

• Amanda — his wife
• Sebastian — his son
• Alexander Sinclaire — his wife's cousin and chosen godfather for Sebastian

Amanda and Justin's baby son, christened at the gathering where Liz caters. He is carried in swathed in white silk and sleeps while guests eat. Alexander is his godfather.

Arc: He remains a baby whose christening brings Alexander and Liz back into contact.

• Amanda — his mother
• Justin — his father
• Alexander Sinclaire — his godfather

Tia's friend, who hires Liz for a charity fashion show in aid of Cancer Research. She requests canapés and drinks for about a hundred guests plus an intimate four-course meal for twenty. She shows Liz around her large house and kitchen and fusses on the day of the event.

Arc: She remains a minor client who relies on Liz after her own caterers drop out.

• Tia Mcintyre — her friend
• Liz — catering client

Liz's old friend and former flatmate and training colleague, who runs pop-up restaurant nights with her husband Dimitri. She invites Liz to a Greek night and later checks on Liz and Alexander's table. She and Dimitri plan to stop travelling to start a family.

Arc: She remains a supportive old friend who offers Liz a warm point of connection.

• Liz — old friend and former flatmate and training colleague
• Dimitri — her husband

Eleni's husband, who travels with her doing pop-up restaurant nights. He explains their plans to settle down and start a family. He meets Liz through Eleni.

Arc: He remains a minor supporting figure in Liz and Alexander's dinner outing.

• Eleni — his wife
• Liz — newly met through Eleni

Kas's mother and Alexander's mother-in-law, who listens as he explains his feelings for Liz and the situation with Nikki. She advises him to sort things out with Nikki first and get medical confirmation about the pregnancy. She believes Kas would want him to move on.

Arc: She remains a supportive figure who encourages Alexander to seek proof and pursue happiness.

• Alexander Sinclaire — her son-in-law
• Kas — her daughter

Lord Weatherton's employee, who speaks with Liz about the requirements for his buffet and meets her to review menu ideas and costings. She compares several quotes and says she will let Liz know tomorrow.

Arc: She remains a minor client contact in Liz's catering business.

• Lord Weatherton — her employer
• Liz — potential catering client contact

Roberto's wife, who announces that she and Roberto are expecting a baby due October 15. She is excited and beaming with pride. Her pregnancy affects Roberto's timing for the restaurant proposition.

Arc: She remains a minor supporting figure whose pregnancy influences Roberto's plans.

• Roberto — her husband

Tia's sometimes companion, who draws Nikki and Roberto's wife aside to admire Tia's art acquisition, giving the others privacy to talk business. He appears at Tia's dinner.

Arc: He remains a minor social figure in Tia's circle.

• Tia Mcintyre — her sometimes companion

The bride-to-be whose engagement party Liz caters at Lord Weatherton's estate. She holds court on the terrace with her arm around her fiancé, wearing an oyster chiffon dress. She seems content to leave the planning to staff.

Arc: She remains a minor client figure whose engagement party is a key catering event.

• Lord Weatherton — her engagement party is hosted at his estate
• Liz — caterer at her engagement party