A story normally consists of several characters (i.e. the protagonist, the antagonist, and so forth), but is there a good synonym for the word character? I've often used "people", but it seems overly general.
Learn English – Synonym for character (as in a person in a book)
single-word-requestssynonyms
Best Answer
You can try 'personage', or 'figure'.
If you were to refer to the cast in general, maybe you could use 'dramatis personae', although that seems a bit grand / presumptuous.
For example, if you were writing a sordid piece of tabloid gossip, then 'dramatis personae' won't lend you a patina of respectability. Instead it looks overdone, like gaudy cheap jewelry. :D
On the other hand, if it was a review of a stage play or a novel, then dramatis personae is acceptable, though a bit heavy and somber (which may or may not be what you want).