Benedetta — Characters & Cast

To fulfill her perceived divine destiny as the bride of Christ while preserving her agency, romantic bond, and authority within the convent.

Evolves from a deeply devout, fearful novice into an authoritative, stigmata-bearing Abbess who commands convent politics, balancing ecstatic devotion with cunning stagecraft.

Preserving monastic order, financial solvency, and the fragile autonomy of her nunnery against external clerical intrusion.

Starts as the shrewd, cynical head of the convent managing balances of power and finances; stripped of her title by Benedetta's rise, she turns to the Inquisition, only to be horrified by the resulting brutality.

To find safety, personal freedom, and physical affection away from male violence.

Escapes domestic abuse to enter the abbey as a servant, introduces Benedetta to physical pleasure, and remains driven by basic survival and romantic devotion, even under severe torture.

Eradicating subversion, asserting male papal dominion, and maintaining clerical order.

Arrives from Florence with the full weight of ecclesiastical authority to prosecute heresy and witchcraft; his arrogance collapses when he contracts the plague amidst the social chaos he ignites.

Defending orthodox piety and securing her mother's approval.

Sister Felicita’s daughter who strictly observes ascetic obedience; driven to despair and jealousy by Benedetta’s sudden ascension and suspected fraud, she leads the initial crusade to expose her, culminating in tragedy.