Character Relationship Map: Handsome Devil

Characters

• Conor Masters (played by Nicholas Galitzine) — protagonist

  A new student and star rugby player assigned as Ned's roommate. He forms a close friendship with Ned, is secretly gay, and struggles with pressure from the rugby culture and Pascal's blackmail before...

• Dan Sherry (played by Andrew Scott) — supporting

  A new English teacher who encourages Ned and Conor's musical interests. He is gay, has a male partner, and eventually comes out to the headmaster during the final rugby game.

• Weasel (played by Ruairí O'Connor) — supporting

  A student whom Pascal encourages to investigate Conor's past. He asks his cousin about Conor's previous school and reports that Conor had fought students who discovered he was gay.

• Pascal O'Keeffe (played by Moe Dunford) — supporting

  The rugby coach who supports the school's homophobic culture. He worries that the English teacher will negatively influence Conor, reports the teacher to the headmaster, and blackmails Conor by threat...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Dan Sherry → Weasel (Professional Teacher And Student) — Their connection is established through the school hierarchy.

  Dan Sherry is the new English teacher at the school, and Weasel is a student involved in the school community.

• Pascal O'Keeffe → Conor Masters (Power Controller And Target) — Pascal tries to control Conor through threats of exposure.

  Pascal O'Keeffe uses knowledge of Conor Masters's previous fights and sexuality as blackmail, demanding that Conor choose different friends.

• Conor Masters → Dan Sherry (Professional Mentor And Student) — Dan supports Conor's creative confidence and self-expression.

  Dan Sherry encourages Conor Masters and the ostracised student to perform a musical piece at the local primary school's talent show.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Weasel → Conor Masters (Conflict Information Adversary) — Weasel's report enables pressure against Conor.

  Weasel reports that Conor Masters fought students who discovered he was gay at his previous school.

• Pascal O'Keeffe → Weasel (Alliance Recruiter And Informant) — Pascal directs Weasel to gather damaging information.

  Pascal O'Keeffe encourages Weasel to ask about Conor Masters's previous school and uses the information Weasel reports.

• Pascal O'Keeffe → Dan Sherry (Conflict Institutional Opponent) — Pascal challenges Dan's influence and presence at the school.

  Pascal O'Keeffe worries that Dan Sherry will negatively influence Conor Masters and reports Dan to the headmaster.

Story Analysis

A friendship survives institutional prejudice as concealed identities, rugby culture, and personal courage collide.

Plot Progression

1. A New Roommate — Conor arrives at Wood Hill College as a talented rugby player and becomes roommates with an ostracised student. Their shared interest in music gradually creates trust.
2. Secrets Under Pressure — Dan encourages creative expression while the school's homophobic culture creates danger. Conor and Dan are connected by their concealed identities, and Pascal begins to intervene.
3. Blackmail And Betrayal — Pascal uses Weasel's investigation to threaten Conor with exposure. Conor abandons the performance, rejects his friend publicly, and is then outed at a rugby rally.
4. A Team Reclaims Him — After Conor runs away, the suspended student brings him back for the final match. Conor challenges Pascal's prejudice, and the team chooses solidarity over exclusion.
5. Truth And Recognition — The team wins the final, Dan comes out to the headmaster, and the returned student wins the writing competition with a story about friendship.