Character List

The Girl on the Train

Although "The Girl on the Train" has characters with distinct personalities, not one of them is based on a single person.

An Overlook of the Main Characters

Protagonist

Rachel Watson 

Obsessive, unreliable, alcoholic, mentally unstable.

Rachel is Tom’s ex-wife and a flawed character whose obsessive drinking makes her the primary suspect in a murder. As she thrives to expose the mystery, her depression and trauma provide enough stumbling blocks to her redemption. 

Protagonist 

Megan Hipwell (Jess)

Restless, secretive, desperate, traumatized.

She is Scott Hipwell’s wife. Troubled by guilt and loneliness, she makes wrong choices that eventually lead to her death. Although outwardly confident, she gradually reveals her insecurities and traumatic history. 

Protagonist 

Anna Watson

Protective, resentful, insecure, complacent.

She is Tom's new wife and his former mistress. Torn between happiness and dissatisfaction, she upholds the image of a perfect family.

Rating
Rating:
3.2/5

Continue down for all the characters to The Girl on the Train

Fave

Article written by Fave

B.A. in History and International Studies from University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Like many authors, Hawkins takes bits of people’s personalities and infuses them into characters. The major and minor characters interact with each other in various ways throughout the novel. Their connections and motivations are explored in depth as the plot unfolds.

Rachel Watson

Role: Protagonist, Tom Watson’s ex-wife.

Key Info: She is an obsessive alcoholic who solves the mystery of Megan’s disappearance. 

The Girl on the Train Character List 1
Rachel, an obsessive but determined woman, gets entangled in a mysterious situation..
Background: Rachel is recovering from a divorce when the story begins. She soon loses her job, yet takes the train daily to give the illusion that she still has a job. 
Personality: She is vulnerable and self-destructive. She is still obsessed with Tom and stalks his new family. Her inability to control her drinking and obsession with her ex makes her an unreliable protagonist. 
Development: At the start, Rachel revels in self-pity and unhappiness. As the story progresses, she is determined to solve the mystery behind Megan’s disappearance. Eventually, she finds purpose and decides to rebuild her life. 
Significance: Her character analyzes the themes of memory and trauma. While battling with mental stress, she uncovers Megan’s murderer.

In the beginning, Rachel is a divorced, alcoholic woman who recently lost her job. Still, she rides to and from London to distract herself from her loneliness and grief.

In this novel, Rachel is an unreliable narrator. Her sessions of alcoholism usually lead to confusion and blackouts. When she regains consciousness, she fights to differentiate reality from her perceptions.

Rachel also struggles with guilt and embarrassment. Haunted by shame over infertility and her struggles with alcoholism, she feels responsible for the end of her marriage to Tom Watson. Her guilt and shame contribute to her low self-esteem and self-sabotaging behavior.

Her loneliness leads to an obsession with the lives of the people she sees on the train, particularly a couple she nicknames “Jess and Jason.” They live at 23 Blenheim Road, down the street she used to live with her ex-husband, Tom Watson.

One day, she sees the woman in the couple kissing someone else. She is triggered because her ex cheated and eventually married his mistress, leaving her heartbroken. Later, she wakes up to bumps and injuries but cannot remember what transpired to cause the bruises. She finally recollects that the young woman she saw cheating, Megan Hipwell, is missing. Rachel’s inability to recall what happened when Megan disappeared leads her to believe she was involved in a crime.

Her obsession with people, including her ex-husband and his wife, propels her to make impulsive and reckless decisions that have consequences for herself and others. As she strives to put the truth together, she discovers she has sunk into depths of hopelessness and misery. She also realizes her seemingly perfect ex manipulated and lied to her during and after their marriage.

Despite her flaws, Rachel is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to Megan. Her desire for redemption fuels her determination. She also wants to prove she can overcome addiction and be a better person.

Eventually solving the case, she tries to rescue another victim-to-be but kills the murderer in self-defense.

Megan Hipwell (Jess)

Protagonist, Scott Hipwell’s wife. Her death is the primary mystery of the story.

Key Info: Traumatic history, multiple affairs.

The Girl on the Train Character List 2
Megan, the beautiful but troubled woman, loses her life on a Saturday.
Background: Although she appears to be confident and happy, the plot reveals the unintentional murder of her daughter, Libby.
Personality: She is psychologically troubled and imprudent. She lacks consistency and desires love and approval from men.
Development: Megan’s past unfolds gradually through flashbacks. Although her development is posthumous, she becomes the focus of the book.
Significance: Megan’s death incites Rachel’s investigation. Her emotional vulnerability and moral decadence portray the effects of unaddressed traumatic experiences. 

Like Rachel, Megan is also a complex character. Trauma from her past life haunts her and makes her impulsive. She is a young and sensitive woman who is unpredictable and lies frequently. She often keeps secrets from those around her, making it difficult to gain trust.

At the beginning of the novel, she goes missing. The plot follows the investigation of her disappearance. With flashbacks, the reader gets information about Megan’s life before and after she goes missing.

She is married to the affectionate but domineering Scott Hipwell. Soon, she becomes frustrated with the requirements of family life. She does not consider motherhood, much to the disappointment of her husband.

When Scott suggests therapy to help improve her sleeping habits, she begins sessions with Dr. Kamal Abdic. She becomes attracted to him and eventually confesses her traumatic past.

In her confession, she has a daughter from a teenage relationship. Accidentally, she drowns the child. Unable to find closure, she chases sexual excitement to escape her emotions. Her search for thrill prevents her from settling into a stable lifestyle or relationship. She changes jobs frequently and has a history of infidelity.

While making countless sexual advances at Kamal Abdic, she begins an affair with Tom Watson. Tom is the father of Evie, a child she used to babysit. Megan’s devastating experiences leave her anxious, desperate, and depressed.

When she turns out pregnant, she informs Tom, but he refuses to take responsibility. Her disappearance at the beginning eventually leads to the revelation of her death.

As the tragic figure in the novel, she is a deeply damaged woman who cannot find a way to heal. Her story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring emotional needs and the importance of seeking help when struggling with mental health issues.

Anna Watson

Role: Protagonist, Tom Watson’s wife and former mistress.  

Key Info: She resents Rachel and eventually faces betrayal. 

The Girl on the Train Character List 3
Anna Watson, a devoted wife and mother, struggles with insecurity.
Background: She used to be Tom’s mistress. She feels more deserving of his love and considers herself better than Rachel.
Personality: Anna’s resentment grows as Rachel continues to stalk the family. Although she appears confident, she is insecure and dissatisfied with her current life as a housewife. 
Development: As the plot develops, Tom’s scheming ways are brought to light, shattering her image of the perfect family. 
Significance: With this character, Hawkins portrays the consequences of infidelity. Anna’s illusion of a perfect family features lies and manipulation.

She is the third narrator that Hawkins uses to push the plot of the novel. She is a minor character with a significant role.

She is married to Tom Watson and is deeply protective of her husband and child. A mistress turned wife, Anna feels insecure about Rachel’s constant interference in their family life. She feels uncomfortable with Rachel roaming around the house and calling Tom at odd hours.

Anna devotes time to domesticity to divert her attention from her actual desires and fears. She misses her work as a real estate agent and does not fully trust Tom. She lies to herself constantly and tries to convince herself her only problem is Rachel Watson.

When her former nanny, Megan, disappears, she is concerned about the inability of the police to expose the culprit. Self-absorbed and concerned with public validation, she struggles to be happy. She also hates the location of her house but chooses to stay because her husband insists.

Anna’s character serves as a foil to Rachel, who is unstable and unreliable due to her struggles with alcoholism and her obsession with Tom. Anne’s faux confidence and put-together demeanor highlight Rachel’s flaws and make her seem even more vulnerable in comparison.

When she stumbles on Tom’s gym bag containing Megan’s phone, she is devastated but does not confront Tom. When Rachel visits to expose the truth about Megan’s death, although she knows it is true, she refuses to believe it to protect her family’s “perfect” status. When Tom confesses to the murder of Megan, she chooses to support his side of the story.

Eventually, however, she joins Rachel in killing Tom.


Tom Watson

Role: Antagonist, husband of Anna Watson, ex-husband of Rachel Watson.

Key Info: He is manipulative and unfaithful.

The Girl on the Train Character List 4
Tom Watson, a charming yet manipulative man, conceals dark secrets.
Background: Initially, he is Rachel’s kind ex-husband. He left when she became abusive and currently has a loving family. 
Personality: He is charming and kind outwardly. His manipulative character lets him live a double life. On the one hand, he is a caring father and husband. On the other, he gaslights and lies.
Development: Tom’s real nature emerges as the plot peaks. By the climax, his violent traits and lack of accountability become apparent, leading to a tragic end. 
Significance: Tom represents the themes of betrayal and the dangers of dishonesty. He eventually loses his life during his confrontation with Rachel, highlighting the devastating results of unrestrained authority.

He is the ex-husband of Rachel Watson, and the current husband of Anna Watson. Initially, he is a handsome, charming man into real estate and serious about his family. As the story progresses, however, Tom is exposed to be a manipulative, dishonest, and dangerous antagonist.

While married to Rachel, he gaslights her into believing he is a victim whenever she gets intoxicated. Tom accuses her of physical and verbal abuse. However, he gets exposed as a liar and manipulator.

All that time, he was the one who brutally abused her when she was drunk, confident she would not remember. His infidelity and abuse of women eventually lead to the breakdown of his marriage to Anna.

Tom is heavily involved in the novel’s mystery, which revolves around the disappearance of Megan Hipwell. While married to Anna, Tom begins an affair with Megan and is the last person to see her alive. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Tom’s involvement in the case is more complex than it initially appears.

When Rachel remembers all the details of the night Megan was killed and confronts Tom, he confesses to killing Megan, then attacks her. He gets killed by Rachel in self-defense.

Scott Hipwell (Jason)

Role: Husband of Megan Hipwell, a suspect in Megan’s murder. 

Key Info: He is controlling and protective. He is distraught when Megan goes missing.

The Girl on the Train Character List 5
Scott Hipwell, a possessive husband, struggles with the loss of his wife.
Background: Scott wants kids, but Megan refuses. As a devoted husband, he grieves when she dies. 
Personality: Although he cares about Megan, he erupts into angry outbursts because of her choices and actions. 
Development: Scott transforms from a supportive husband to a more aggressive one during the revelation of Megan’s past.
Significance: His character depicts the emotional turmoil created by betrayal and loss, enriching the analysis of human relationships in the book. 

Scott is the husband of Megan Hipwell. He becomes emotionally downcast when Megan disappears.

When the novel begins, he is an IT professional devoted and caring, yet controlling of Megan. He monitors her whereabouts and communication. Scott’s domineering nature fuels her yearning to flee her marriage and London. Scott’s love and dedication to Megan and her flippancy and fear of motherhood spurn the need to be overprotective within him.

When Megan dies, he is a primary suspect. As he tries to uncover the truth about his wife’s death, he has to confront his shortcomings as a husband. While working with the police to unravel the mystery surrounding Megan’s disappearance, he begins to piece together the events leading up to her death. He comes to a greater understanding of his role in their relationship.

He accepts support from Rachel when she reaches out to him as an acquaintance of Megan. One day, they drink too much and have sex. The comfort Scott feels in Rachel’s presence dies when he realizes she lied about knowing Megan. He harasses her and holds her hostage for a while before letting her leave.

Kamal Abdic

Role: Supporting character, Megan’s therapist.

Key Info: He faces ethical challenges when Megan makes sexual advances at him. He becomes a suspect when Megan disappears. 

The Girl on the Train Character List 6
Kamal Abdic, a kind therapist, helps Megan confront her past.
Background: He is patient and lets Megan express her thoughts. He lost his family, making him sympathetic towards others.
Personality: Kamal is compassionate and patient. Unfortunately, he fails to maintain boundaries with Megan, resulting in him becoming a primary suspect in her murder. 
Development: As Megan’s romantic feelings for him deepen, he tries weakly to reject her advances. 
Significance: Kamal portrays moral dilemmas encountered in therapist-patient relationships.  Understanding how emotions can grow during sessions, Kamal tries to put Megan off gently. 

He is a Muslim migrant from Bosnia. He works as a therapist in Witney. When he meets Megan Hipwell, she is distressed and fidgety. He tries to help untangle the trauma of her past life and the effects on her current life.

Kamal is a quiet man who is easy to confide in. Soon, Megan becomes romantically attracted to him. He resists her advances, stating it was natural because he was helping her work through her struggles.

Kamal gets arrested briefly as a suspect when Rachel identifies him as Megan’s lover. When the police cannot provide enough evidence against him, however, they set him free.

Rachel begins therapy with him to restore her memory and confirm his innocence. During her sessions, she confides in him about her struggle with infidelity, her attachments to alcohol, and her failed marriage with Tom.

An empathetic and meditative man, Kamal Abdic is a victim of wrong perception in “The Girl on the Train.”


Cathy

Role: Secondary character, Rachel’s flatmate, Damien’s girlfriend.  

Key Info: She is supportive of Rachel. She is loyal and patient. 

The Girl on the Train Character List 7
Cathy, a kind and supportive friend, becomes frustrated with Rachel’s self-destructive attitude.
Background: After Rachel’s divorce from Tom, Cathy gives her a place to stay. Although she is not directly involved in the murder case, she is a part of Rachel’s life. 
Personality: Although Rachel lies to her, Cathy is tolerant and pushes her to stabilize her turbulent life.
Development: She does not undergo any significant changes in the book. However, she becomes more assertive as Rachel continues to self-destruct. 
Significance: Rachel’s relationship with Cathy illustrates her inability to maintain healthy relationships, irrespective of the forbearance of the other person. 

By giving Rachel a place to live after her divorce, Cathy provides some balance in her life while depression and alcoholism get the best of her. Rachel is confident in her support and loyalty as they have been friends since university.

As Rachel’s mental disorder continues to deteriorate, Cathy loses her patience and asks her to leave. However, she changes her mind and remains empathetic. Although her boyfriend asks that she stop being supportive, she is determined to save Rachel from her addiction. Through Cathy ”The Girl on the Train” explores themes of friendship and loyalty. 


Detective Inspector Gaskill

Role: Secondary character, Inspector in charge of Megan’s case.

Key Info: Persistent, skeptical, and rational.

The Girl on the Train Character List 8
Inspector Gaskill, a determined and logical detective, seeks the truth behind Megan’s death.
Background: He is the lead officer investigating Megan’s homicide. He traverses the lies, secrets, subjectivity, and half-truths the characters provide to identify the murderer.  
Personality: He is logical and patient. Although suspicious of Rachel, he stays objective and fair throughout the investigation.
Development: Initially dismissive of Rachel due to her instability, he later acknowledges her concerns as the plot develops. 
Significance: He is a steady presence distinct from the inconsistency of the other characters. His logical method of handling Megan’s disappearance aligns with the author’s pace.

When Rachel meets him at the early stage of Megan’s disappearance, Gaskill distrusts her movements and mental state. His skepticism adds to the suspense, forcing Rachel to confront her addiction and memories. After a while, his suspicion shifts to Scott as new information about his abusive tendencies is released. Gaskill’s neutral yet firm approach highlights the difficulty of discerning the truth when lies, emotions, and deception distort the facts. When Rachel kills Tom in self-defense, he arrives with Detective Riley to investigate. When he is satisfied with her narration, he lets her go.


Detective Sergeant Riley

Role: Supporting character,  Police Officer investigating Megan Hipwell’s homicide.

Key Info: Works with Detective Gaskill, skeptical of Rachel Watson’s credibility due to her unpredictability.

The Girl on the Train Character List 9
Detective Sergeant Riley, a skeptical investigator, doubts Rachel’s innocence.
Background: From the onset, Riley is wary of Rachel. Her inconsistent testimonies, her obsession with Tom Watson, and her alcoholism fuel her suspicions. 
Personality: She is practical and guarded. These traits come into play during the investigation. Although required in her career, her matter-of-fact style adds to Rachel’s discomfort.
Development: Riley’s opinions hardly change throughout the novel. She maintains an air of authority and never truly trusts Rachel. 
Significance: Her character depicts the hostility the society has toward people with addiction or psychological issues. In Rachel’s quest to redeem herself and solve Megan’s murder, Riley becomes an obstacle as she constantly doubts Rachel. 

Like Gaskill, she is suspicious of Rachel. However, she is less empathetic and decides Rachel keeps interfering in the case because she is depressed and desperately wants to be a part of something. Her dismissive attitude is because of Rachel’s agitation and erratic behavior. Not only does Rachel struggle to recall events, she also has to deal with disbelief.


Tara Epstein

Role: Secondary character, Megan’s friend.  

Key Info: Supportive, secretive, assists Megan.

The Girl on the Train Character List 10
Tara Epstein, a loyal friend, provides alibis for Megan.
Background: Tara is Megan’s friend who provides alibis when Megan leaves the house to places Scott is unaware of. 
Personality: Tara is loyal and protective. Unfortunately, her role in the cover-ups makes her a participant in deception.
Development: She remains a static character. Her involvement in Megan’s secret life explains the moral challenges faced by friends of people with mental or emotional issues. 
Significance: Tara’s actions demonstrate the spread of deception beyond Megan’s marriage.

She is single and around forty years of age. Tara’s actions represent the complexity of loyalty, especially when it involves dishonesty. Megan uses the excuse of meeting with Tara to get out of the house and meet her lover. Tara does not mind lying and tells her about Scott’s suspicions. When Megan goes missing, she says Scott is innocent.


Damien

Role: Secondary character, Cathy’s boyfriend.

Key Info: Critical of Rachel.

The Girl on the Train Character List 11
Damien is Cathy’s boyfriend that does not like Rachel.
Background: Damien visits Cathy and criticizes Rachel’s presence, finding her conduct unsettling.
Personality: He is judgmental, especially about Rachel’s lifestyle. 
Development: As Rachel’s mental state worsens, his disapproval becomes more pronounced.
Significance: Damien highlights how Rachel’s self-destructive behaviors strain her relationships. 

Although a secondary character, Damien represents society and the external judgment Rachel faces, presenting a sharp contrast to Cathy’s supportive nature. He constantly complains about Rachel to Cathy. When Cathy asks about hooking Rachel up with a guy from work or his rugby team, Damien says nobody is that desperate. His relationship with Cathy does not seem to progress as they have been dating for almost two years, yet he has never introduced her to his mom. 


Andy

Role: Secondary character, Redheaded man who unsettles Rachel.

Key Info: Minor yet memorable presence. He provides details to help Rachel remember her actions the night Megan disappeared.

The Girl on the Train Character List 12
Andy, a free-spirited man, frightens Rachel on the train.
Background: Andy is the redheaded man Rachel sees occasionally at the train station.   
Personality: He is a little scary at the start. However, Rachel gradually loses her fear as they begin to converse. 
Development: As a minor character, he does not undergo much development. His interactions with Rachel are less tense as the story develops.  
Significance: Andy symbolizes the manner Rachel’s trauma and alcoholism make her cynical and warp her perception of people. 

Andy is the redheaded man who lives in the London suburb of Witney. He rides the train like Rachel, and she is frightened of him. When he tries to be friendly, she is wary. After her blackout close to the train station, she remembers Andy helping her to her feet and fears he attacked Megan. Andy eventually proves to be simply free-spirited and innocent. Seeing Andy from only Rachel’s point of view enhances the tension, showing the fragility of perception.


Evie Watson

Role: Minor character, Tom and Anna’s infant daughter.

Key Info: She depicts familial stability.

The Girl on the Train Character List 13
Evie, the baby that Anna protects from Rachel.
Background: She is Tom and Anna’s child. She portrays the new life Tom begins to live after he divorces Rachel. 
Personality: Her personality is not explored but represents vulnerability and innocence.
Development: Her presence contributes to Anna’s internal turmoil. Anna strives to protect her from Rachel’s stalking and intrusion. 
Significance: Her influence on Anna and Tom’s decisions portrays her importance. Anna considers Evie a symbol of a successful husband heist. Since Rachel battles with infertility, she considers herself better. For Tom, Evie is part of the family he tries to control. 

Evie’s role is more symbolic than active. Her presence in her buggy when outdoors demonstrates domestic control, unity, and perfection. In the latter part of the book, Evie contributes to the strain in Anna and Tom’s relationship. Evie represents motherhood, contrasting Megan’s child loss and Rachel’s inability to conceive. 


Elizabeth (Libby)

Role: Minor character, Megan and Mac’s daughter.

Key Info: She is involved in a tragic accident that haunts Megan.

The Girl on the Train Character List 14
Libby dies by drowning.
Background: She is Megan and Mac’s daughter who tragically drowns when she is only a few months old. 
Personality: Her short existence impacts Megan’s mental and emotional state. 
Development: She does not experience any development as she dies before the story begins. 
Significance: The loss of Libby shapes Megan’s identity and influences her subsequent choices. Her death introduces Megan to grief and feelings of abandonment. 

When Elizabeth is only a few months old, Megan takes her for a bath. Unfortunately, she falls asleep, and Libby drowns. Elizabeth’s death adds depth to Megan’s character. Megan’s unresolved guilt over the death causes her aversion to children and childcare. Her character explores how grief can lead to damaging coping mechanisms.  Elizabeth, though only mentioned in flashbacks, becomes a symbol of everything Megan lost.

Craig McKenzie (Mac)

Role: Minor character, Megan’s ex-boyfriend, Libby’s father.

Key Info: He is Megan’s former lover.

The Girl on the Train Character List 15
Mac, ex-boyfriend to Megan, abandons her when Libby dies.
Background: Craig McKenzie played a role in Megan’s life before she married Scott. 
Personality: Mac’s confidence is accompanied by a tendency for recklessness, highlighting both passion and erratic behavior. 
Development: He remains a static character, representing the consequences of rash choices. Mac’s irresponsibility becomes evident later in the book. 
Significance: Mac’s character reveals Megan’s previous decisions and the resulting chaos. His affair with Megan complicates her relationship with Scott and depicts the theme of infidelity.

Mac was Megan’s lover when she was a teenager. They had a child together, but she died. After helping Megan bury her body, he abruptly leaves and is not heard or seen again. When Megan dies, the police investigate him but realize he is dead. Megan’s relationship with Mac symbolizes the attractiveness of freedom and the realities that accompany poor choices.

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Fave

About Fave

B.A. in History and International Studies from University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Fave Ehimwenma is a proficient writer, researcher, and content creator whose love for art and books drives her passion for literature analysis.

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