Character Relationship Map: Bittersweet Symphony

Characters

• Iris Evans (played by Suki Waterhouse) — protagonist

  Iris is the central character, balancing family celebrations, creative ambitions, and an unsettled romantic life. She tells Bobby John their relationship is over, decides to end things with Andrew, an...

• Bobby John (played by Craig Roberts) — protagonist

  Bobby John is Iris's former romantic partner. He is unexpectedly revealed inside Keith's enormous Christmas gift after apparently hiding there all night, and his jokes and songs make the family gather...

• Eleanor Roberts (played by Jennifer Grey) — supporting

  Eleanor Roberts is an eccentric, highly experienced composer who may help Iris find direction in her creative work. As she and Iris continue working together, their conversations grow personal and the...

• Abigail (played by Poppy Delevingne) — supporting

  Abigail is one of Iris's sisters and is present when the family gathers for festive evenings. She shares time with Iris and their parents as they decorate a tree, bringing childhood memories back to t...

• Andrew (played by Craig Russell) — supporting

  Andrew is involved romantically with Iris, but a disastrous night leads Iris and a friend to agree that he is not right for her. Iris then resolves to end things with him. The summary provides no furt...

• Mary (played by Claire Cage) — minor

  Mary is Iris and Abigail's mother and is present during the family's festive gatherings. At one reunion, she expresses how happy she is to have her daughters together. She shares time with them as the...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Abigail → Mary (Family Mother And Daughter) — Abigail is one of Mary's daughters and joins the family Christmas gathering.

  Mary expresses happiness at having her daughters together, and Abigail is present with Iris and their parents.

• Iris Evans → Mary (Family Mother And Daughter) — Mary is Iris's mother, and they share family time during the Christmas celebrations.

  Mary is described as happy to have her daughters together, and Iris spends time with her parents during the family gathering.

• Iris Evans → Abigail (Family Sisters) — Iris and Abigail are sisters who reunite with their family for Christmas celebrations.

  The family reunites for a festive evening, where Mary is happy to have her daughters together; Iris and Abigail spend time with their parents.

• Iris Evans → Andrew (Romantic Dating Relationship) — Iris's relationship with Andrew is failing, and she decides to break it off.

  After a disastrous night, Iris and a friend agree that Andrew is not right for her, and Iris resolves to end things with him.

• Iris Evans → Eleanor Roberts (Mentor Turned Romantic Interest) — Their creative collaboration develops into mutual intimacy, leaving Iris's romantic life and creative future uncertain.

  Eleanor is presented as an experienced composer who could help Iris find direction. Their work grows personal, they flirt while changing clothes, and...

• Iris Evans → Bobby John (Romantic Former Lovers) — Although Iris ends the relationship and bars Bobby John from returning, her admission shows that she remains emotionally and physically attached to him.

  Iris tells Bobby John that their relationship is over and that he can no longer come around. She later says she cannot kiss anyone else the way she ca...

Story Analysis

During Christmas gatherings and changing romantic relationships, Iris confronts her attachment to Bobby John while discovering an intimate connection with composer Eleanor Roberts.

Plot Progression

1. A Christmas Disruption — Iris's family gathers to exchange Christmas presents, but Keith's enormous gift reveals Bobby John, who has apparently been hiding there all night. Iris ends their relationship, while Bobby John's att...
2. Family Memories Return — The family reunites for another festive evening, and Mary expresses happiness at having her daughters together. Iris and Abigail spend time with their parents and decorate a tree, recalling childhood...
3. Creative and Romantic Doubts — Eleanor Roberts is introduced as an experienced composer who may help Iris find direction. Iris also decides Andrew is not right for her, while acknowledging that her feelings for Bobby John remain po...
4. A New Intimacy — Iris and Eleanor grow closer through their conversations and work together. Their flirtation becomes intimate, and they acknowledge that their connection is real, leaving Iris's romantic and creative...