Edward Bell (Matthew McNulty)

Peggy’s older brother, Edward, is selfish and full of a sense of his own importance. His father left the family with little money in his will, and so Edward’s education has been limited to home tutoring and a correspondence course. Ambitious to make money and a name for himself, he aims to exploit any possible benefits from the family’s new association with wealthy Mr Buxton. Mrs Bell is too much in awe of Edward to check the wilder aspects of his character, and so he dominates life at home.