John / Johnny (played by Matthew Rhys) is a protagonist in The Scapegoat.
A teacher who has just lost his job, he meets his exact double, a failed businessman, and is drawn into the man's family and glass company after being mistaken for him. He improvises a business deal, protects the neglected wife from a fatal overdose, refuses a payoff, and survives an armed confrontation with his double. Blanche (played by Jodhi May) is a protagonist in The Scapegoat.
Blanche is the family's daughter and the businessman's sister. She intensely hates the man whose identity the teacher has assumed because she blames him for the suicide of a close friend. Her hostility adds personal conflict to the teacher's uneasy attempt to manage the household and business. Nina (played by Sheridan Smith) appears in The Scapegoat.
Nina is the businessman's sister-in-law and one of the two mistresses whose presence complicates his personal life. She belongs to the family's close circle and is connected to the teacher's assumed identity through that affair, making her part of the emotional and domestic turmoil he inherits. Paul (played by Andrew Scott) appears in The Scapegoat.
Paul is the businessman's younger brother and a member of the family behind the failing glass company. The teacher discovers that Paul is capable but lacks confidence, so his character represents useful ability weakened by self-doubt within the business crisis the teacher is forced to manage. Charlotte (played by Phoebe Nicholls) appears in The Scapegoat.
Charlotte is the carer for the family's mother. She helps the teacher revive the neglected wife after an overdose and later recognizes that he is not the man everyone believes him to be. Her insight prevents him from simply disappearing and helps preserve his connection with the family. George (played by Pip Torrens) appears in The Scapegoat.
George is the chauffeur serving the family. After finding the teacher without his clothes and wallet, he collects him and takes him to the family's grand home, despite the teacher's difficulty explaining himself. This action directly brings the teacher into the household and its crisis.
The Scapegoat (2012) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
John / Johnny
(played by Matthew Rhys) — protagonist
A teacher who has just lost his job, he meets his exact double, a failed businessman, and is drawn into the man's family and glass company after being mistaken for him. He improvises a business deal,...
Blanche
(played by Jodhi May) — protagonist
Blanche is the family's daughter and the businessman's sister. She intensely hates the man whose identity the teacher has assumed because she blames him for the suicide of a close friend. Her hostilit...
Nina
(played by Sheridan Smith) — supporting
Nina is the businessman's sister-in-law and one of the two mistresses whose presence complicates his personal life. She belongs to the family's close circle and is connected to the teacher's assumed i...
Paul
(played by Andrew Scott) — supporting
Paul is the businessman's younger brother and a member of the family behind the failing glass company. The teacher discovers that Paul is capable but lacks confidence, so his character represents usef...
Charlotte
(played by Phoebe Nicholls) — supporting
Charlotte is the carer for the family's mother. She helps the teacher revive the neglected wife after an overdose and later recognizes that he is not the man everyone believes him to be. Her insight p...
George
(played by Pip Torrens) — supporting
George is the chauffeur serving the family. After finding the teacher without his clothes and wallet, he collects him and takes him to the family's grand home, despite the teacher's difficulty explain...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
John / Johnny → Paul
(Professional Business Associate)
Standing is drawn into the family's business affairs and discovers that Paul is capable but lacks confidence.
George → John / Johnny
(Professional Chauffeur And Passenger)
George, the family's chauffeur, collects Standing after the hotel incident and takes him to the family's grand home.
John / Johnny → Nina
(Romantic Mistress)
Nina is identified as one of Johnny's mistresses, specifically his sister-in-law.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
John / Johnny → Charlotte
(Alliance Confidante)
Charlotte helps Standing revive the nearly unconscious wife and later dissuades him from disappearing after the confrontation.
John / Johnny → Blanche
(Conflict Hostile Acquaintance)
Blanche hates Johnny and blames him for the suicide of her close friend. She continues to mistake Standing for Johnny.
Story Analysis
A jobless teacher assumes the life of his double and must choose between escape, moral responsibility, and belonging.
Plot Progression
The Double At The Hotel
Entering The Spence World
The Price Of Survival
A Sacrifice Manipulated
Death At The Foundry
Directed by Charles Sturridge
The Scapegoat (2012) · 6.4/10 · adventure, drama, mystery
