Friel contrasts Gar's cloistered emotional life with his gregarious social persona by portraying him as two distinct characters, a public self (Donal McCann) and a private self (Des Cave).
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Donal McCannPublic Gar | Public Gar |
| DDes CavePrivate Gar | Private Gar |
 Siobhán McKennaMadge | Madge |
| EEamon KellyS.B. O'Donnell | S.B. O'Donnell |
 Fidelma MurphyKate Doogan | Kate Doogan |
 Liam RedmondSenator Doogan | Senator Doogan |
 Mavis VilliersLiz Sweeney | Liz Sweeney |
 Niall TóibínCon Sweeney | Con Sweeney |
| PPat LaydeMaster Boyle | Master Boyle |
 David KellyConan O'Byrne | Conan O'Byrne |
 Niall BuggyNed | Ned |
| EEamon MorrisseyJoe | Joe |
| DDonal CoxTom | Tom |
 Des KeoghDr. Francis King | Dr. Francis King |
 O.Z. WhiteheadBen Burton | Ben Burton |
| SSeamus HealyFisherman | Fisherman |
| DDanny FigusBoy in Shop | Boy in Shop |
| DDonal MurrayYoung Gar | Young Gar |