The Charles family is the main focus ofThe Piano Lesson, and the focus on the group’s history proves that the Charles family tree spans far beyond Boy Willie and Berniece. ThroughoutThe Piano Lesson,the history of the titular piano reveals that the Charles family is absolutely massive, with Doaker Charles constantly telling stories about the various generations of Charles relatives. So, here is a full breakdown of every named member of the Charles family tree that is mentioned inThe Piano Lessonand how they relate to one another.
2024 has brought with it thelatest adaptation of one of August Wilson’s acclaimed plays, with it this time being in the form of director Malcolm Washington’sThe Piano Lesson. The film follows a feuding family who cannot decide what to do with a piano that has is an heirloom from their enslaves ancestors, withthe cast ofThe Piano Lessonmostly consisting of characters from the Charles family. While the feud is mainly between two siblings, Boy Willie and Berniece, several other family members get involved, making the conflict even bigger.
Boy Willie Charles (John David Washington)
Brother Of Berniece, Nephew Of Doaker, Uncle Of Maretha
One of the protagonists ofThe Piano Lessonis Boy Willie Charles, played by John David Washington. Boy Willie Charles is the brother of Berniece Charles, with their father Boy Charles being deceased before the events ofThe Piano Lessonkick off. Boy Charles died after stealing the titular piano from the slaveowner Sutter, with Boy Willie seeing him for the last time when he was very young. Boy Willie is unmarried and has spent most of his life getting into trouble with his friend and business partner, Lymon.
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Boy Willie is the nephew of Doaker Charles, who lives with Berniece, as well as Doaker’s older brother Wining Boy.Boy Willie is also the uncle of Berniece’s daughter, Maretha. Boy Willie has been gone for much longer than the rest of the Charles family, with him not being as engrained into the family as his sister.
Berniece Charles (Danielle Deadwyler)
Sister Of Boy Willie, Mother Of Maretha, Niece Of Doaker
Berniece Charles, played by Danielle Deadwyler, is the other protagonist ofThe Piano Lesson, with her not wanting to sell the titular piano. Berniece is the older brother of Boy Willie, with her often talking down to him and believing he had a role in the death of her late husband, Crawley.Berniece lives with her 11-year-old daughter Maretha, as well as her uncle Doaker, with Boy Willie staying in their home upon his arrival in town. Berniece is also the daughter of Boy Charles and the niece of Wining Boy.
Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson)
Uncle Of Boy Willie & Berniece, Brother Of Wining Boy
When it comes to the Charles family tree, Samuel L. Jackson’s Doaker Charles is the family member who knows the most about it. Samuel L. Jackson’s age and familial connections allows him to constantly tell stories about the history of the piano and how it got to where it is today. Doaker is the uncle of Boy Willie and Berniece, as well as the great uncle of Maretha, although he acts like a father figure to her due to the death of Crawley. Doaker also has an older brother named Wining Boy Charles, with Wining Boy coming by to visitduring the events ofThe Piano Lesson.
Maretha Charles (Skylar Aleece Smith)
Daughter Of Berniece, Niece Of Boy Willie
Maretha Charles, played by Skylar Aleece Smith,is the youngest member of the Charles family. Maretha is the daughter of Berniece Charles, and while Berniece does give Maretha lessons on the family piano, she intentionally keeps the history of the piano a secret from her. Maretha Charles is also the daughter of the late Crawley, who died during an event with her uncle Boy Willie. Maretha is also the great-niece of Doaker Charles, although he acts more like a father figure to her, as well as the great-niece of Wining Boy Charles.
Boy Charles (Stephan James)
Father Of Boy Willie & Berniece
Boy Charles, played by Stephan James, is one of the most important characters inThe Piano Lesson, although he isn’t in it very much. Boy Charles is the father of Boy Willie and Berniece, although he was killed after stealing Sutter’s piano when the children were very young. The death of Boy Charles is one of the events that tore the family apart, with Berniece believing that Boy Willie’s grief led him to kill Sutter. However,Boy Willie blames the Ghosts of the Yellow Dog, something that becomes more likely after Sutter’s ghost begins appearing.
Crawley (Matrell Smith)
Husband Of Berniece, Father Of Maretha
Crawley, played by Matrell Smith,is the late husband of Berniece Charles and father of Maretha Charles, with him having tragically died before the event ofThe Piano Lesson.Crawley helped Boy Willie and Lymon with a schemeto steal some wood, although things went wrong when they were caught and Crawley was killed. Berniece blames Boy Willie for the death of Crawley, saying that she dragged him into his scheme, while Boy Willie claims that Crawley knew what he was getting into. Either way, Crawley only appears in flashbacks inThe Piano Lesson.
Wining Boy Charles (Michael Potts)
Brother Of Doaker, Husband Of Cleotha
Another major member of the Charles family tree is Wining Boy Charles, played by Michael Potts. Wining Boy is the older brother of Doaker Charles, with him dropping by for the first time in a while during the events ofThe Piano Lesson. Wining Boy attempts to come off as a professional musician and successful gambler, with him and Lymon becoming close throughout the film.Wining Boy is also the uncle of Boy Willie and Berniece and the great-uncle of Maretha, although his distance from the family means they aren’t quite as close.
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Cleotha Charles
Wife Of Wining Boy
The final member of the Charles family tree isn’t actually seen inThe Piano Lesson, with this being Cleotha Charles. Cleotha is the late wife of Wining Boy, with her having died sometime before the events of the film. Although she isn’t seen and doesn’t play a role in the story, Wining Boy does mention her a few times, although her manner and time of death is never made clear. Cleotha is related to the rest of the Charles family due to her marriage to Wining Boy, with her wrapping upThe Piano Lesson’sCharles family tree.
The Piano Lesson
Cast
In The Piano Lesson, a brother and sister clash over selling a family heirloom piano—he sees it as a path to wealth, while she views it as a vital link to their heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, but the conflict reveals deep truths about identity, legacy, and the past.
