Homeland: Character biographies

1 October 2013

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Carrie Mathison

Crack CIA agent Carrie Mathison plays by her own rules when it comes to protecting the U.S. from terrorist attacks. Her uncanny intuition, dogged determination, and gift for persuasion helped her identify Nicholas Brody as a terrorist, convert him to an ally, and ultimately capture and kill al-Qaeda mastermind Abu Nazir. But along the way she fell in love with Brody, and helped him secretly flee the country after he became the prime suspect in the CIA headquarters bombing. Now that her intimate relationship with Brody and her bipolar disorder are known, she is seen as a potential weak link at the Agency. Will she be able to out-maneuver her detractors, prove Brody innocent, and survive with her career, her personal life, and her sanity intact?

 

Saul Berenson

Carrie's long-time mentor is the no-nonsense Middle East Division Chief emeritus, Saul Berenson, who reluctantly went along with Carrie's termination from the Agency due to her instability. But no matter how personally devoted he is to his protégé, Saul must determine whether or not he can still trust Carrie's instincts.

 

Nicholas Brody

Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody returned to the U.S. as a hero after eight years in captivity, but also as a terrorist and disciple of al-Qaeda leader Abu Nazir. Carrie Mathison uncovered Brody's secret, and he was coerced into giving up information that led to the capture and death of Nazir. Brody was then accused for the al-Qaeda-orchestrated CIA bombing that left 219 people dead. He quickly fled the country with the help of his now lover Carrie, leaving behind his wife and his two children to pick up the pieces. Now on the run with a huge bounty on his head, Brody is reliant on Carrie to clear his name and ensure his very survival.

 

Jessica Brody

Despite their best efforts, Nick and Jessica Brody were not able to repair the damage their relationship suffered during his years as a P.O.W. and his tumultuous return, and they ultimately decided to separate. But before they could finalize anything, Nick became the most despised and wanted man in America. Now Jessica is stuck dealing with the aftermath of his disappearance. Her children are traumatized, there's no money coming in, and her family is hounded day and night by reporters and the FBI. Will the quietly determined Jessica be able to withstand the pressure?

 

Dana Brody

The sullen, guarded yet perceptive Dana was key to thwarting her dad's attempted suicide bomb attack, and things will stay complicated for the Brodys' oldest child. Dana struggles to fit in at her new school, where an unexpected new friend forces her to make an incredibly hard choice. Ultimately, Dana wants to be on her dad's side, but can Brody successfully hide his true intentions from his family?

 

Chris Bordy

Nick and Jessica's eager-to-please, self-conscious 13-year-old son Chris was too young to remember his father when he left. Like the rest of his family, Chris had trouble adjusting to his newly returned dad, but was ultimately happy to have him home. But as Nick Brody's lies begin to unravel, it becomes increasingly difficult for Chris' mom Jessica to shield her youngest child from the tension at home, and it hits the young, naive Chris hard.

 

Capt. Mike Faber

Like everyone else, Brody's close friend and fellow Marine Mike Faber believed Brody to be dead, which was how he justified falling for the POW's wife, Jessica. After Brody returned, Mike was forced to give up his relationship with Jessica and return to being a family friend, despite his true feelings. Now his relationship with Brody continues to intensify. While Brody ascends the government ranks, Faber starts asking some difficult questions about Nick's past... questions Brody would prefer not to answer.

Peter Quinn

CIA operative Peter Quinn led the taskforce to ensnare and convert Brody, then use him to help track down Abu Nazir. He was loyal to the late CIA Director David Estes, until he realized that Estes had an ulterior motive for getting Brody out of the way. Now that Estes is dead, Quinn is back to his old role in the agency, a self–proclaimed "guy who kills bad guys."

 

Dar Adal

An old-school CIA agent and contemporary of Saul's, Dar Adal was brought in by the late CIA Director David Estes to covertly oversee Peter Quinn and the Brody taskforce. Now that many of his colleagues are dead, he plays an increasingly important role in Saul Berenson's CIA. The question is, can Saul trust him?

 

Mira Berenson

Saul's wife of many years was taking some time apart from her chronically overworked husband with a job in India. When she heard about the CIA bombing, she returned to Washington to be there for him and work on putting their marriage back together.

 

Senator Andrew Lockhart

Senator Lockhart is chair of the committee that is investigating the CIA bombing. He feels the CIA itself is to blame for the bombing, and he is determined to find out the truth about why they were unable to prevent it.

 

Virgil

When it comes to surveillance, Virgil is Carrie Mathison's trusted resource. Virgil is a CIA operative who, along with his brother Max, assists Carrie with her surveillance needs. The compassionate and understanding Virgil shares a close, brotherly relationship with Carrie and loves her unconditionally. Virgil has always trusted Carrie's judgment, but with Carrie in increasingly hot water, Virgil's allegiance is being tested.