Hidden Figures - Characters & Cast

Driven by her profound love for mathematics and a deep-seated belief in her own abilities, Katherine's primary motivation is to do the work she was born to do. She is also motivated by a desire to provide for her three daughters and to contribute to her country's success in the Space Race, proving that her mind is as valuable as anyone else's, regardless of race or gender.

Katherine begins as a brilliant but reserved mathematician, intimidated by the hostile, all-white, all-male environment of the Space Task Group. She endures the daily humiliation of the segregated bathroom and has her work credited to others. Her arc is one of finding her voice and demanding the respect she deserves. Fueled by her passion and the urgency of the mission, she evolves from a hidden figure into an assertive and indispensable member of the team, culminating in John Glenn's personal request for her to verify the IBM computer's calculations.

Dorothy is motivated by a powerful sense of responsibility for the women in her charge. She fights not just for her own advancement but to ensure that her "gals" have secure futures and are treated with fairness and respect. Her motivation is rooted in community uplift and a pragmatic understanding of the changing technological landscape.

Dorothy starts the film performing the duties of a supervisor without the title or pay. Her journey is about fighting for official recognition and ensuring the survival and advancement of the Black women she leads. Seeing the threat of the new IBM computer, she proactively learns FORTRAN and teaches her entire group, transforming them from "computers" into programmers. Her arc is a testament to foresight, leadership, and advocating for her community, culminating in her finally being offered the official title of supervisor, which she accepts only on the condition that her entire team comes with her.

Mary is driven by a desire to fulfill her potential and a refusal to accept the limitations placed upon her by society. Her motivation is fueled by a strong sense of justice and the ambition to become an engineer, not just for herself, but to be the "first," creating a path where one did not exist before.

Mary begins as a gifted "computer" with the mind of an engineer, but is blocked by segregation laws from obtaining the necessary qualifications. Encouraged by a colleague, her arc follows her determined and outspoken fight to break down legal barriers. She petitions the court to be allowed to attend night classes at an all-white high school. Her journey is about actively challenging the unjust laws of her time, and she ultimately becomes NASA's first African-American female engineer, paving the way for others to follow.

Harrison's overriding motivation is to win the Space Race. He is relentlessly results-driven. His actions, while seemingly progressive, stem from a practical need to have his team operate at peak efficiency. He simply wants the best minds working on the problem, and he is not willing to let prejudice stand in the way of progress and American victory.

Al Harrison is the director of the Space Task Group, a composite character based on several real NASA directors. Initially, he is oblivious to the racial segregation Katherine faces, focused solely on beating the Russians into space. His arc is one of growing awareness and pragmatism. Once he understands that the discriminatory rules are hindering the efficiency and talent of his best mathematician, he takes decisive action, famously desegregating the restroom in his building. He evolves from a task-oriented boss to a true leader who values talent above all else.