Main characters
Sam Curtis (John Beck, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
A wealthy playboy construction magnate and owner of Sam Curtis Construction. During the course of the series, he becomes Field's campaign manager, has a brief romance with Constance, before settling down and becoming a devoted husband to Lane. He is loosely based on Dan Reynolds as played by David Brian in the 1949 film.
Skipper Weldon (Woody Brown, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
The handsome son of Claude and Eudora Weldon. He initially works for his father's business before joining the town newspaper. During the series, he becomes romantically involved with Annabelle Troy (Dianne Kay), before she perishes in the fire at the mill, Christie Kovacs and Alicia Sanchez. He is blinded in an explosion at the paper, orchestrated by Sheriff Titus, and eventually elopes with Alicia.
Sheriff Titus Semple (Howard Duff, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
The corrupt sheriff of Truro County. During the series, he is responsible for numerous dirty deeds, such as setting Lane Ballou up as a prostitute and getting her arrested, orchestrating the Weldon Mill fire for insurance fraud, getting Field and Constance abducted by drug dealers, and causing an explosion at the newspaper. He is also revealed to be the father of Annabelle Troy, having raped her mother Mary (Alice Hirson). Titus is based on the character played by Sydney Greenstreet in the 1949 film and was originally pitched as the long-lost father of Lane, however this plotline was dropped before the series made it to air.
Constance Weldon Carlyle (Morgan Fairchild, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
The spoiled adopted daughter of Claude and Eudora Weldon. She marries her high school sweetheart Fielding Carlyle in the pilot, however during the course of series, has sex with nearly every other male character. She is loosely based on Annabelle Weldon as played by Virginia Huston in the 1949 film.
Fielding "Field" Carlyle (Mark Harmon, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
The town deputy in the pilot, who embarks on a political career and eventually becomes a state senator. He marries Constance, however they later divorce, and during the series, he becomes romantically involved with Lane and Sandy Swanson. Field is based on Fielding Carlisle as played by Zachary Scott in the 1949 film.
Claude Weldon (Kevin McCarthy, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
The patriarch of the Weldon family and owner of the Weldon Mill. He is a close ally of Titus, who helps him commit insurance fraud to bail out his financial troubles. He secretly fathered Constance with Lute-Mae.
Lane Ballou Curtis (Cristina Raines, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
A traveling singer who escapes the circus and ends up working at Lute-Mae's bordello. She initially becomes Field's mistress, before settling down and marrying Sam. An older version of the character was played by Joan Crawford in the 1949 film.
Eudora Flowers Weldon (Barbara Rush, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
Claude's long-suffering wife, who married him out of convenience. She secretly has feelings for Elmo, her childhood love. During the series, she becomes addicted to painkillers and spends time in a mental institution. In the finale, she asks Claude for a divorce.
Lute-Mae Sanders (Stella Stevens, 1980–1982; 38 episodes)
A former madam and owner of the local bordello. She becomes a mother figure for Lane, and is eventually revealed to be Constance's biological mother, after having an affair with Claude. She is based on the character played by Gladys George in the 1949 film.
Elmo Tyson (Mason Adams, 1980; 1 episode; Peter Donat, 1981–1982; 37 episodes)
The editor of the town's newspaper The Clarion. He is secret admirer of Eudora, and later feuds with Titus when he runs for Sheriff. Elmo (originally named Elmo Weldon) was pitched as Claude Weldon's first cousin, however this aspect was scrapped in pre-production.
