Dreverhaven (played by Jan Decleir) is a protagonist in Character.
A.B. Dreverhaven is a wealthy, dreaded bailiff in 1930s Rotterdam and the biological father of Katadreuffe. He disowns his son and repeatedly inflicts financial and psychological torment upon him throughout his life. Despite his outward cruelty, he secretly leaves his entire estate to Katadreuffe in a will signed 'Father' and dies of a self-inflicted knife wound at 11:00 p.m. Katadreuffe (played by Fedja van Huêt) is a protagonist in Character.
Jacob Willem Katadreuffe is an ambitious, self-taught lawyer and the illegitimate son of Dreverhaven and Joba. Raised in poverty, he overcomes his father's relentless hostility to pass the bar exam. On his celebration day, he confronts and brawls with Dreverhaven, becoming the prime murder suspect before being exonerated when police determine the death was a suicide. He ultimately inherits his father's fortune. Joba (played by Betty Schuurman) appears in Character.
Katadreuffe's mother, who worked as a housekeeper for Dreverhaven. Following an implied forced encounter, she becomes pregnant, leaves her employer, and raises her son alone. She consistently rejects Dreverhaven's subsequent offers of financial support and marriage, prioritizing her independence and her child's upbringing.
Character (1997) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Dreverhaven
(played by Jan Decleir) — protagonist
A.B. Dreverhaven is a wealthy, dreaded bailiff in 1930s Rotterdam and the biological father of Katadreuffe. He disowns his son and repeatedly inflicts financial and psychological torment upon him thro...
Katadreuffe
(played by Fedja van Huêt) — protagonist
Jacob Willem Katadreuffe is an ambitious, self-taught lawyer and the illegitimate son of Dreverhaven and Joba. Raised in poverty, he overcomes his father's relentless hostility to pass the bar exam. O...
Joba
(played by Betty Schuurman) — supporting
Katadreuffe's mother, who worked as a housekeeper for Dreverhaven. Following an implied forced encounter, she becomes pregnant, leaves her employer, and raises her son alone. She consistently rejects...
Key Relationships
Joba → Dreverhaven
(Professional Former Employer)
Joba → Katadreuffe
(Family Mother)
Dreverhaven → Katadreuffe
(Family Father)
Story Analysis
A complex exploration of paternal denial, financial oppression, and self-made redemption in 1930s Rotterdam.
