Main Characters
Dr. Robert Jekyll
Portrayed by: Tom Bateman
Grandson of the infamous Dr. Henry Jekyll, raised in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) with no knowledge of his family or their "curse" - until one day, that is, when he lifts up a truck pinning down a child with his bare hands, and soon finds himself summoned across continents to London, where he is to inherit the Jekyll estate - and whatever else comes with it...
- Chick Magnet: And totally unaware. Bella and Lily almost fight over him in the finale.
- I Just Want to Be Normal: Begins the series not wanting anything to do with his grandfather's world.
- Robert: Dr. Najaran is my father, Gurinder is my mother, and that is the end of it!
- Jekyll & Hyde: As the grandson of the trope namer, he has inherited his ancestor's dual personality.
- The Medic: A newly-qualified doctor, as of Episode 1.
- Parental Abandonment: Robert was abandoned by his real father as an infant and raised by Dr. Vishal Najaran in Ceylon.
- Doubles as a mild First-Episode Twist, as Robert (and the audience) are initially unaware that Robert's father knew Dr. Najaran and deliberately ditched his child in order to keep him safe from the series' antagonists.
- Split-Personality Takeover: Rather downplayed, but occasionally Hyde's presence manifests itself when Robert is experiencing even mild annoyance or stress.
- Transformation Horror: Downplayed, especially when compared to the original Jekyll/Hyde, but Robert's transformation into his alter-ego still appears rather painful - both mentally and physically - with his eyes glowing a bright blue and veins bulging prominently.
Hyde
Portrayed by: Tom Bateman
Robert Jekyll's dangerous, uninhibited and alluring alter-ego, unleashed via medication or heightened emotions. Hyde is initially unbothered by Jekyll's problems, but eventually realises his life is also at stake as two sinister organisations both capture him in their sights...
- Anti-Hero: Fights for the protagonists, albeit by beating up several thugs and generally causing mayhem along the way.
- Badass Longcoat: Technically it's Jekyll's coat too, but Hyde definitely owns the "badass" portion.
- Big "NO!": Lets one out when Maggie is shot.
- The Casanova: Far more flirty than Robert Jekyll, and even his aggression and forwardness don't put women off for long.
- Combo Platter Powers: Incredibly strong, faster than the average human, and can both survive and heal from a hilt-deep knife wound in at least three days. His blood also kills germs and can cure blood poisoning.
- Evil Sounds Raspy: Not so much evil as chaotic, but Hyde's voice is noticeably raspier than Jekyll's.
- Expository Hairstyle Change: His hair is slightly messier and curlier than Jekyll's.
- The Hedonist: Well, he's Mr. Hyde - or a variation thereupon. That's pretty much the point.
- HeroicBSOD: Hyde of all people goes completely still when Max dies. There's no screaming, crying or breaking things he just cradles Max's body and lets Jekyll take over.
- Pre Ass Kicking One Liner: Has a few of these.Hyde: Thanks for waking me up, Cyclops. I wouldn't miss this for the world.
- The Sociopath: Downplayed, at least when compared to his grandfather, but Hyde still cares very little - or claims to - about who he hurts, and almost crushed a young girl during his first appearance.
- Superpowered Evil Side: Again, "evil" might be pushing it a little, Hyde is aggressive and reckless in addition to possessing minor superpowers.
Maxwell "Max" Utterson
Portrayed by: Christian McKay
The son of Gabriel Utterson, Henry Jekyll's lawyer and best friend, who summons Robert Jekyll over to England to discuss his inheritance of the Jekyll estate, but finds himself tangled up with the troubles of Jekyll's alter-ego.
- Agent Scully: Initially downright dismissive that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were the same person, and that Robert has inherited his grandfather's condition.
- Crusading Lawyer: As evidenced in his quote, and dismisses the thought from his assistant and friend Hils that he is thinking of Robert as the son he never had due to his affection and willingness to help him.
- Died in Your Arms Tonight: In Hyde's
- Platonic Life-Partners: With Hils, and despite their being no indication of how long they've been friends, they're certainly extremely close.
- Your Days Are Numbered: The reason he hasn't pursued a relationship with anyone. He was born with a serious heart condition that might kill him any second and he doesn't want to leave behind a widow or orphan. Ironically it isn't his heart that kills him.
Lily Clarke Carew
Portrayed by: Stephanie Hyam
A beautiful young woman who quite literally runs into Robert Jekyll upon his arrival in England, and he soon after rescues her from a gang of thugs out to rob her. The two become very close, quickly falling for each other, although Robert is desperate to keep his reckless alter-ego out of sight so as not to frighten her off.
- The Ace: Studied biochemistry at Cambridge, dreamt of becoming a scientist, and later manages to recreate the potion that Henry Jekyll used to transform back into himself, in order to keep his own Hyde away.
- Action Girl: After her reveal as an MIO spy she and Bella trade a few brief blows in the final episode.
- Badass Normal: A member of MIO, an organisation that hunts down supernatural creatures, and is completely human.
- Betty and Veronica: The sweet, compassionate Betty to Bella Charming's alluring and tough Veronica. Potentially inverted after she is revealed as a spy, although Robert doesn't seem to have much interest in her after he learns of that.
- Brainy Brunette: Has brown hair, and, as evidenced above, is a rather talented biochemist.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: The girly-girl to Bella's tomboy, despite both of them being rather feminine, although, given that it's the 1930s, it's not really much of a surprise.
Isabella "Bella" Charming
Portrayed by: Natalie Gumede
The owner of the Empire Drinking Hall, frequented by Hyde, with whom she quickly becomes pretty familiar and, despite being more than a match for the man, falls hard for him, but unlike Jekyll with Lily, Hyde has no qualms about displaying his double life to her.
- Action Girl: Holds her own in a fight against several burly men.
- Betty and Veronica: The dark and alluring Veronica to Lily's charming and sweet Betty.
- Deadpan Snarker: She has her moments.Hyde: The question is, what am I?Bella: You're a pain in the arse, is what you are.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: The tomboy to Lily's girly-girl, although as stated above both are still overly feminine.
Garson
Portrayed by: Donald Sumpter
The former footman and assistant of Dr. Henry Jekyll, and the only one who knows what really happened fifty years ago. Found working at the Empire by Robert Jekyll, he is quickly roped into assisting him control his own Hyde and discover the truth about his family.
- Cool Old Guy: Breaks up a bar fight with a rife during the first episode.
- Mr. Exposition: At least initially. For the first few episodes he generally provides whatever Robert Jekyll needs to know about his grandfather or his condition.
Hilary "Hils" Barnstaple
Portrayed by: Ruby Bentall
Max Utterson's devoted assistant, a no-nonsense, jolly hockey sticks kind of a gal, good at paperwork and good in a fight. Nothing flusters her and she takes everything in her stride. She can take a drink, drives too fast and is a pretty decent shot.
- Action Girl: As stated above, Hils is rather skilled with a gun, and is shown using a sword (albeit briefly) to combat Captain Dance's vetala in the finale.
- Drives Like Crazy: Oooh boy does she ever.Max Utterson: For the first time in my life, I give you full permission to drive like a maniac!
- Platonic Life-Partners: With Max, and despite their being no indication of how long they've been friends, they're certainly extremely close.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: The tomboy to many of the other "girly-girls" in the series, due to engaging in activities most "proper ladies" would find distasteful or masculine.
Olalla Jekyll/Hyde
Portrayed by: Wallis Day
Robert's hitherto-unheard of sister, captured by Tenebrae as a child and raised as one of them, before escaping and masquerading as a vampire in London, where she is discovered by her long-lost brother.
- Action Girl: Especially when Hyde, but even when not, due to having been raised by Tenebrae.
- Forced into Evil: As a result of being kidnapped and raised by Tenebrae.
- Jekyll & Hyde: Much more comfortable with her condition than her brother, however.
- Meaningful Name: Of sorts. She is the cause of recent "vampire" attacks in London, and is named after a short story by Robert Louis Stevenson containing hints of vampirism.
- Separated at Birth: Well, more like very young childhood, but the trope still applies.
- Sixth Ranger: Joins the main cast in Episode 7, and is only in one scene for around a minute prior to that.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: The tomboy to pretty much every other woman in the show, and possibly the most prominent example.
- Tyke Bomb: Kidnapped by Tenebrae as a young child and raised as a soldier.
Military Intelligence Other (MIO)
MIO in General
First Appearance: The Harbinger (1x01)
A top-secret government department - even more so than MI6 - dedicated to monitoring and policing all supernatural threats in London - including Robert Jekyll/Hyde!
- Brains and Brawn: MIO appear to have an assortment of both scientists and soldiers (of sorts) working for them.
- Gasmask Longcoat: Several agents wear this ensemble when capturing the Harbinger in Episode 1.
- Good Is Not Nice: The lesser of two evils, when compared to Tenebrae, but certainly not nice people.
- He Who Fights Monsters: Ruthless and deceitful, but certainly dedicated to removing the supernatural threats from the streets of London.
- The Men in Black: 1930s edition!
- Ironically, they describe themselves as "the men in the white hats" when comparing themselves to Tenebrae with cowboy-movie metaphors.
Sir Roger Bulstrode
Portrayed by: Richard E. Grant
The ruthless and cunning head of MIO - a government department dedicated to policing the supernatural - trusting nobody but himself, and willing to manipulate and deceive Robert Jekyll solely to pursue his own gains.
- Dirty Coward: The second Hyde threatens him with being impregnated and eaten from the inside by a giant supernatural spider, he immediately agrees to hand over his "leverage" files on Robert. Before going back on that deal in the very next episode in exchange for one that sways in his favour.
- Good Is Not Nice: Applies to MIO as well, but Bulstrode is the prime example.
- Manipulative Bastard: Uses Robert Jekyll/Hyde to draw out Captain Dance, and even goes so far as to imply Lily, who is feigning a relationship with Robert, should actually marry him in order to keep up the ruse.
Mr. Sackler
Portrayed by: Tom Rhys Harries
- Cultured Warrior: An incredibly talented marksman whose every other line is usually some classic poetry quote.
- Gratuitous Foreign Language: Quotes an old Welsh-language rhyme during Episode 10.
- Also busts out some Gratuitous Latin after discovering the existence of monsters.
- The Gunslinger: Recruited for his impeccable marksmanship.
- Naïve Newcomer: Recruited by MIO in Episode 1, and is convinced the "existence" of monsters is a prank his new coworkers are pulling on him.
- Wouldn't Hurt a Child: Refuses to shoot Ravi when he becomes the new host of the Reaper Bug.
Mr. Hannigan
Portrayed by: Phil McKee
An MIO agent under Bulstrode, commonly seen directing operations as a field commander.
- Would Hurt a Child: Orders Sackler to shoot Ravi after the boy becomes the Reaper Bug's new host.
Mr. Brannigan
Portrayed by: Amit Shah
MIO's resident scientist, who is responsible for experimenting with monocane in order to create a substance to kill Captain Dance and incapacitate even the super-powered Hyde.
- Bollywood Nerd: Anglo-Indian, and MIO's chief scientist.
- Token Minority: Out of the four main MIO agents, he's the only one who's not white.
Tenebrae
Tenebrae in General
First Appearance: The Harbinger (1x01)
- Gods Need Prayer Badly: MIO claims that ceasing to believe in the gods and monsters that make up Tenebrae causes them to grow weak.
- Monster Mash: Tenebrae appears to be composed of a number of creatures, including:
- The immortal, possibly-undead Captain Dance.
- Vetala, corpse-like zombies subservient to Dance.
- Keres, a many-toothed creature of unknown species.
- The Cutter, an enormous humanoid with a giant lobster claw for a hand.
- The Reaper Bug, a large spider-like creature capable of taking control of a human host.
- Moroii, lamprey-like creatures that keep Captain Dance in stable condition after being fatally shot.
- And various others, including "Baal, Moloch, Fenrir, Loki, Beelzebub, and most of the creatures in the Zodiac" according to Sir Roger Bulstrode.
- Red Right Hand: Most of the human agents Tenebrae associates with wear eyepatches.
Captain Dance
Portrayed by: Enzo Cilenti
A high-ranking agent of Tenebrae, sent to London in order to recruit Hyde to open a mystical jar containing the essence of an ancient monster god.
- Came Back Wrong: His entire torso is decaying and translucent, leaving the organs inside visible. Overlaps with The Undead, although Dance is less of a zombie than most examples.
- Evil Brit: Given his age, he could quite easily have existed well before Britain did, but he certainly speaks with an upper-class accent nonetheless.
- Faux Affably Evil: Incredibly polite and respectful, but a complete and utter psychopath underneath.
- Red Right Hand: Try translucent chest, although due to his layered clothing it's rarely seen.
- This vanishes after he is shot and revived by the power of the incubus.
- Unholy Matrimony: It is unclear whether or not they're married, but Dance and Fedora are certainly lovers.
- We Can Rule Together: Offers Hyde a chance to be "a god".
Fedora
Portrayed by: Natasha O'Keeffe
Captain Dance's lover and right-hand woman, and just as cunning and devious.
- Ambiguously Human: Never directly stated to be a monster, but given she's a high-ranking member of Tenebrae, it's highly unlikely she's human.
- The Dragon: To Captain Dance.
- Non-Specifically Foreign: Speaks with a vague accent, and Lord Protheroe calls her "European" in Episode 10, but it's made no more clear than that.
- Unholy Matrimony: It is unclear whether or not they're married, but she and Dance are certainly lovers.
Silas "Cyclops" Parnell
Portrayed by: Tony Way
The leader of a one-eyed gang of street thugs who often lend their services (read: brawn) to Tenebrae.
- In-Series Nickname: Called "Cyclops" several times due to only having one eye.
- Red Right Hand: Wears an eyepatch, like all members of his gang.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Curiously averted; despite his bungling and general incompetence at anything that doesn't involve physical violence, Dance never seems to get around to vaporising him like with his other minions.
Creatures and Monsters
Vetala
Portrayed by: Various
Skeletal, zombie-like creatures covered by cloaks, and subservient to Captain Dance, who has the ability to transform humans and recently-deceased corpses into more vetala.
- Defeat Equals Explosion: Explode into a cloud of black smoke when punched or stabbed.
- Dem Bones: Vary in appearance, ranging from rotted corpses to almost completely skeletal.
- Flesh-Eating Zombie: Devour an MIO agent shot dead by Captain Dance.
The Cutter
Portrayed by: Jason la Shard
An enormous humanoid creature with a giant lobster claw for a hand, initially captured by MIO but later broken out by Tenebrae agents.
- Older Than They Look: Said about the Cutter by Bulstrode, and indeed it looks almost identical during a flashback set 22 years previously, despite still looking (reasonably) young in the 1930s.
The Incubus
Portrayed by: Various
A malevolent demon who escaped from The City of Dis, capable of possessing both the living and the dead, although it shapeshifts into whoever you love in order to drain your life energy.
- Fusion Dance: Eventually merged with Captain Dance to bring him back from his critical state.
- Our Demons Are Different: Identified as a demon by Fedora, and apparently comes from some kind of "city beneath the earth" according to Renata Jezequiel.
- Shapeshifting Seducer: Transforms into whoever you love the most to drain your lifeforce from you.
- Notably, we see it turn into Lily/Bella for Robert/Hyde, Gideon Jezequiel for Renata, Edward Hyde for Maggie, and Captain Dance for Olalla.
- Vampiric Draining: Their life-draining also rapidly ages their victims, as seen in the cold open and later with Renata.
