Jamaica Inn: character biographies

Mary Yellan played by Jessica Brown Findlay

Spirited Mary Yellan, 23, finds herself alone in the world when her mother passes away. Despite pressure to marry local boy Ned, Mary refuses to compromise; though he is kind to her, she doesn’t love Ned and won’t marry without love. This uncompromising attitude and strength of character will be tested in the months Mary spends at Jamaica Inn. After declining Ned’s proposal, Mary takes the only option left to her and travels to Bodmin Moor to stay with her downtrodden Aunt Patience and bullying Uncle Joss. Life at Jamaica Inn challenges Mary’s black and white perceptions of morality as she finds herself living among smugglers in a lawless land where no one is quite who they seem. To complicate matters further Mary finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Jem Merlyn but Jem is her uncle’s brother and therefore not to be trusted in Mary’s mind although her heart may say otherwise...

Jem Merlyn played by Matthew McNulty

Charming and enigmatic, Jem Merlyn is the younger brother of Mary’s Uncle Joss. A canny horse thief with a sense of humour – Jem successfully sells a stolen horse back to its owner at market – he is involved in smuggling but on his own terms. Encountering Mary on her arrival at Jamaica Inn, he gifts her one of his horses because he tells her she never knows when she may want to escape. Mary refuses his gift on the grounds that it is a stolen but an uneasy bond is forged. Jem’s independent spirit is a match for Mary’s own but unfortunately their competing wills often pull them in opposite directions.

Joss Merlyn played by Sean Harris – Landlord of Jamaica Inn

Joss is the leader of a gang of smugglers who work the Cornish coastline evading the law - whose enforcers frequently search Joss’s inn only to find the goods are long gone. But the smuggling has taken its toll on Joss, who suffers night terrors brought on by the horrors he has witnessed; he escapes with alcohol and is prone to outbursts of violence. But he is also frightened and soon Mary starts to wonder if there is a man above Joss giving him his orders. To Joss, Mary is his conscience and her judgements torment him, reminding him of his own humanity that he drinks to forget.

Patience Merlyn played by Joanne Whalley

Patience is not the vibrant beauty Mary remembers from childhood. The years of marriage to Joss have taken their toll, leaving a tired and anxious woman in her place. She loves Joss and is completely devoted to him. Patience is forgiving of Joss’s frequent outbursts – physical as well as verbal – because she sees his vulnerability and knows that he needs her. She is pleased to have Mary at Jamaica Inn but quickly becomes nervous that Mary’s forthright attitude will lead her into trouble with Joss. So she is surprised when she sees that Joss wants to please Mary and win her approval, and this makes Patience even more nervous...

Francis Davey played by Ben Daniels

Francis is the vicar of Altarnun. Parishioners come from far and wide to hear him preach. His sister Hannah, always by his side, says it’s because he really is very good. Francis doesn’t just feed the congregation spiritually, he provides food for his parishioners, most of whom are poor and under-nourished. Food is a means of coaxing the population to church but are his motives as pure as he professes?

Hannah Davey played by Shirley Henderson

Sister of Francis Davey, Hannah is his staunchest ally and is usually to be found at her brother’s side helping the poor of Altarnun. She is openly curious of Mary and welcomes her into the fold, encouraging her to confide tales of Jamaica Inn. Mary finds Hannah’s warmth comforting and in their church she finds the moral certainty that is so lacking at Jamaica Inn.