This is a character guide for Hulu’s “Bllack Cake,” with character descriptions, quotes, names of actors, and more.
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Please Note: This content contains pertinent spoilers, descriptions are updated as new information is presented, images are changed as better ones are captured, and this is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, guest star, or reoccurring role.
General Information
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Network(s) |
Hulu |
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Genre(s) |
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Created By |
Marissa Jo Cerar |
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Based On |
Novel by Charmaine Wilkerson |
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First Aired |
November 1, 2023 |
Synopsis
Eleanor, birth name Coventina, is an island girl (West Indies to be specific) who, because of a series of unfortunate events, had to run away to London and in time ended up in America. She got married and had two kids, but her story, the true story, she told no one. But, in her will, she leaves behind the truth she kept from her kids so, in death, her kids could know her in ways she never let them to in life.
Groups & Organizations
- ():
Notable Locations & Items
- Portland Parish (1.1): A parish (state) in northeast Jamaica where Covey is from
- Lin’s Dry Goods and Sundries (1.1): Lin’s shop
Terminology
- ():
Other Noteworthy Information
- The Recordings (1.1): Eleanor left 7 recordings which give the honest history of her life
Episode Listing
Season 1
Eleanor/Coventina
Played by: Chipo Chung (Adult)
With two kids and a whole life, being widowed, and a load of secrets, Eleanor seems cool and in control of her life, but like most things, that might just be a ruse.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
- The actor is also known for their role in His Dark Materials: Season 3/ Episode 2
Played by: Mia Isaac (Coventina aka Covey Lyncook and Coventina Brown – 17 Years Old)
Eleanor’s original name and who she was on the island and London. Back then, she was a swimmer, a daughter, notable to many boys and men, until it was assumed she died the day of her wedding.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
- The actor is also known for their role in “Not Okay (2022)” and their role in “Don’t Make Me Go (2022).”
Additional Information
- Age (1.2): She has turned 18
Quotes
Byron Bennett
Played by: Ashley Thomas (Adult)
An ocean scientist, Byron can be seen as Eleanor’s golden child due to how well he is doing professionally. However, in the first episode, how his personal life is going isn’t dove into.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
Additional Information
Quotes
Benedetta “Benny”
Played by: Adrienne Warren (Adult)
Benny is Byron’s sister, seemingly Eleanor’s youngest, who is estranged from her mother and sister for reasons not originally revealed.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
- The actor is also known for their role in “Women of the Movement: Season 1/ Episode 1 and Episode 2.”
Additional Information
- How Long Has She Been Gone (1.2): Benny’s last notable interaction with her family was 8 years ago at Thanksgiving
- Interest (1.2): While singing has been Benny’s most passionate interest, she has also wanted to open a cafe in the past
Quotes
Lin Lyncook
Played by: Simon Wan (Adult)
Lin is Coventina’s father, an immigrant who went to school on the island, continued the business his parents started, raised a child, and found a wife, yet still feels like an outsider. But, what doesn’t help his situation is he has a gambling problem that led to him becoming vulnerable and driving his wife away.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
Additional Information
- Ethnic Background (1.2): It is confirmed he is Chinese
Quotes
Bunny
Played by: Lashay Anderson (Late Teens)
Bunny is Coventina’s best friend and swimming partner.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
Additional Information
Quotes
Gibs Grant
Played by: Ahmed Elhaj (Young Adult)
Gibs is Coventina’s boyfriend back on the island who was London-bound for law school.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
Played by: Jeremiah Birkett (Adult)
A seasoned civil rights attorney in America at this point, Gibbs is a loyal and loving husband, who definitely is confused by his first generation American kids – though specifically Benny’s lack of perserverance.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 4 “Mrs. Bennett”
- The actor is also known for their role in “Atypical: Season 2” and their role in “The Good Doctor: Season 5/ Episode 4 “Rationality.”
Additional Information
Quotes
Additional Information
Quotes
Pearl
Played by: Faith Alabi (Adult)
Pearl is Coventina’s mother’s best friend who, when she left, was tasked with looking out for her daughter and paid by Lin to keep the household up.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
- The actor is also known for their role in “Industry: Season 2” and their role in “We Are Who We Are.”
Additional Information
Quotes
Clarence Henry, aka Little Man
Played by: Anthony Mark Barrow (Adult)
The head of a local loan shark family, Clarence, also known as Little Man, preys on the poor of the island and uses his two brothers to gain leverage and push getting money or property.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
Additional Information
Quotes
Eleanor “Elly”
Played by: Karise Yansen (Young Adult)
The original Eleanor, who Coventina met in London and, by chance, inherited the life of.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
Additional Information
- Interests (1.2): Back when she was in Jamaica, she had a strong affinity for rocks and the stuff she found digging in the garden of the orphanage, which got her interested in Geology.
- Nursing (1.2): Despite her interest in Geology, there was no offers to leave Jamaica to be a geologist, so she took an opportunity to join a nursing program
Quotes
Mathilda
Played by: Jade Eshete (Adult)
Mathilda is Coventina’s mother.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Covey”
- The actor is also known for their role in “Really Love (2020),” their role in “It’s Bruno! – Season 1,” and their role in The Equalizer: Season 2/ Episode 16 “Vox Populi.”
Additional Information
Quotes
Mr. Mitch
Played By: Glynn Turman
Mr. Mitch is a friend of the family, via Benny and Byron’s father, who is handling executing Eleanor’s last wishes – specifically having her children listen to her life story.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Coventina”
- The actor is also known for their role in “Rustin (2023).”
Quotes
Edwina
Played By: Leah Walker
Edwina is one of the girls in London who pushes Covey to be more social and date and also starts to unravel her made-up backstory.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Coventina”
Quotes
The Boss
Played by: Tom McKay
When Eleanor moves to Scotland, she originally is unable to find a job because she is Black. However, “The Boss” decides to give, if not make a job for her, but it comes with a unspoken price when she was hired.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Eleanor”
Additional Information
Quotes
Beatrice
Played by: Anna Mawn
Beatrice becomes Eleanor’s supervisor at her job in Scotland, and she doesn’t like her when she was originally hired. Though, her and Eleanor eventually bond over shared trauma.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Eleanor”
Additional Information
Quotes
Lynette
Played by: Rebecca Naomi Jones
Lynette is Byron’s partner, whom he met while she was doing a documentary on trailblazers like Byron in their industry.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 4 “Mrs. Bennett
- The actor is also known for their role in “Someone Great.”
Additional Information
Quotes
Steve
Played by: Elliot Cowan
Steve is a major figure in the art world, who does light installations and sculpting, that becomes Benny’s mentor, boyfriend, and eventual abuser.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 4 “Mrs. Bennett”
Additional Information
Quotes
Joanie
Played by: Cherrelle Skeete
Joanie is Benny’s ex-girlfriend who witnessed the altercation that led to Benny isolating herself from her family for 8 years.
- Introduced In:Season 1/ Episode 4 “Mrs. Bennett”
Additional Information
Quotes
Mabel
Played by: Sonita Henry
Mabel is a famous cookbook author in the UK whose celebrity is starting to become more prominent. Though with a recent controversy in which she was called out for questioning whether a cuisine can belong to a culture if the ingredients are made elsewhere, whether her rise will stall is up for question.
But, beyond that, she is a mother of one, the daughter of two White English people, or at least so she thought because she didn’t know she was adopted and that Eleanor is her biological mother.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “Mother”
Additional Information
Quotes
Wanda
Played by: Diana Kent
Wanda is Mabel’s adoptive mom who, with her husband, struggled to have kids, and once they adopted Mabel, they asked everyone to be discreet about her true origins so they could experience parenthood on their terms.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “Mother”
Additional Information
Quotes
Gio
Played by: Aaron Harland
Gio is Mabel’s son with an Italian man. The Gio we’re introduced to isn’t an academic like his mom and would rather travel than continue going to school.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “Mother”
Additional Information
Quotes
Sister Madeline
Played by: Sutara Gayle
Sister Madeline is a woman from the Islands who took up the rosary and is now a nun at a home for unwed mothers who wish to give up their babies once they give birth.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 7 “Birth Mother”
Additional Information
Quotes
Irene
Played by: Elly Roberts
Irene was one of the girls at the home for unwed mothers who befriended Covey and made it seem that she and her boyfriend would figure out a way to raise their kid. But, hopes came crashing down once reality hit.
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 7 “Birth Mother”
Additional Information
Quotes
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