Marian Brook is the orphaned niece of Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Forte who comes to live with her estranged aunts at East 61st Street following the death of her father. During her journey to New York, she befriends Peggy Scott at the train station. Through her paternal family, she descends from old money New York. She currently works as a watercolor teacher at Saint Mary's.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Marian was born the only child of General and Mrs. Henry Brook, around the year 1860. Whilst her father descended from prominent American families from Pennsylvania and New York, he tarnished his family reputation by spending his inheritance unwisely. According to her Aunt Agnes, Mrs. Henry Brook was from a lower social standing than that of Marian's father. Her mother passed away at some point in her youth.
Season 1[]
Never The New[]
In 1882, Marian's father passes away. Upon legal consultation with Tom Raikes regarding her father's finances, she discovers that settling her father's funeral charges and outstanding accounts leaves her with only $30 to support herself. In addition, the lawyer informs her to her surprise that the house wherein she was staying was rented. This leads her to write to her estranged aunts, Agnes and Ada. Ada purchases her train tickets for New York and invites her niece to join them in New York. Agnes is more wary.
After selling her furniture, Marian leaves for the Doylestown train station, but while waiting for her train she has her purse stolen, along with her tickets and money. A distraught Marian is helped by Peggy Scott by purchasing her another train ticket. On arrival to New York, Marian is met with a rainstorm preventing Peggy from catching a ferry to Brooklyn. Marian asks her aunts if Peggy could stay the night with them.
Personality[]
Marian is a kind, caring and friendly young woman. Despite coming from an old family of New York, this doesn't stop her and she defies social boundaries. She is also a very pleasant and easy going person, capable of befriending almost anyone she meets regardless of their position or race, proof of this is her friendship with Peggy Scott, a woman of color. Her wish is to be able to feel needed by others, have a proper job and stay occupied every day, something she eventually managed to accomplish after becoming a teacher.
Relationships[]
Peggy Scott[]
They met at the train station with course to New York. During a fight in the station, Marian lost the train ticket, seeing her having a hard time, Peggy helped her buying to Marian a ticket to travel together in third-class. Once they arrived to New York, Marian thanked Peggy and told her to give her the address of her home so she could pay her back. Later, Marian saw Peggy at the station in the middle of a storm and let her go together in a carriage to the place of Marian's aunts. There, Marian convinced Agnes to let Peggy stay for the night as a payment for helping her arrive. Afterwards, Marian and Peggy start to bond due to the fact both are women trying to do something with their lives and find in New York anything that can make them feel useful.
They begin to develop a friendship when Peggy acted as her accomplice to go to the soiré made by the Russell's. After this, the two become close friends, Marian has expressed to Peggy that she envies her because of her job as her aunt's secretary and writer, saying that she would love to have something like that, being busy and needed outside of charity events. Marian also helps Peggy with some legal issues, introducing her to Mr. Raikes. Peggy is often seen hanging out with Marian, acting as her chaperone.
However, they have a fall out when Marian, unexpectedly shows up at Peggy's home in Brooklyn and by accident makes Peggy's parents feel insulted when she brought a couple of old pair shoes, given that Marian thought they were poor, this makes Peggy feel furious and ashamed for her action, accusing Marian of not knowing her at all and saying that they were not friends, which saddens Marian.
Nonetheless, a few days later, they reconcile after Marian apologizes for what she did. Peggy tells her that it was only a fall out and nothing would change between them, since she knows Marian has a good heart and meant well with her actions, although she reminds Marian that her life is her own, nothing more. After this, their relationship is restored and they continue being close friends.
Agnes van Rhijn[]
Ada Forte[]
Ada is Marian's paternal aunt. Unlike Agnes, Ada is always kind and supportive with Marian, for this reason Marian has a close relationship with her and seems to have more trust in Ada than with Agnes. Usually Marian confides Ada things that she wouldn't share to Agnes. When she needs it most, Ada gives to her niece advices of how to take care of her life and find love.
Oscar van Rhijn[]
Marian's cousin. They meet for the first time shortly after Marian arrives in New York. While they usually don't see each other very often due Oscar living out of the house they have a good relationship and they get along very well. When they need help, both support each other and exchange advices. Marian adores Oscar and cares about him like a brother, on the other hand Oscar likes talking to Marian and whenever she needs it he is there for help, specially in social activities.
Larry Russell[]
a friend but they are also in love
Gladys Russell[]
They meet for the first time in 1882 shortly after the Russells arrived to New York. They have a friendly relationship and seem to get along very well.
Bertha Russell[]
While they don't interact with each other frecuently, Marian and Bertha have a good relationship and get along. During Bertha's first soireé, Marian sneaked from her home and attended to the Rusells place. Since then Bertha has a positive opinion of Marian, appreciating she defied Agnes and visited her. When Marian delivered her aunt's request to fire Turner, Bertha genuinely considered it and eventually fires her ladie's maid.
Frances Montgomery[]
Her cousin by law. Marian meets Frances in 1883 when she becomes a teacher of the school Frances is attending. They quickly develop a very close relationship, with both being very fond of each other. Marian loves Frances and enjoys spending time together, even choosing to assist to the parent-student tea reunion at school to give the little girl company. Marian has expressed her wish to be part of Frances' live and see her grow as well as being there to support her in anything she needs or wants.
Aurora Fane[]
She is Marian's cousin by law. They meet in 1882 shortly after Marian arrives to New York and they quickly develop a good relationship. Aurora is one of Marian's best friends in New York and cares very much for her, frencuently including Marian in her social activities. Marian also likes hanging out with Aurora and her husband, as they were among the first people who accepted her in society. Marian appreciates how Aurora has been kind with her despite not knowing each other previously.
Staff[]
Marian is very kind with the servants of her household. She treats them with respect and cordially, almost like part of her family. Through the series she's been helping them selflessly. For instance, when Bannister was hired to supervise a lunch hosted by Berta Russell, she chose to keep it as a secret from her aunt Agnes, and when Agnes found out Marian tried to smooth the air with the aid of Aurora Fane. She's also seen helping Jack with his new creation so he could be recognized as an inventor and start a career.
Gallery[]
