Nicholas Higgins (Brendan Coyle)
Nicholas Higgins is a member of the working class of Milton. He represents the worst aspects of the industrial revolution. Margaret becomes friends with him and his daughter. It is through them that she sees that workers' side of the class struggle. He organizes and is loyal to a strike that is ultimately unsuccessful. He also demonstrates that it is not only the masters that can be tyrannical. He forces a man into the strike who doesn't want to be a part of it. This man is eventually driven to suicide. Higgins takes on this mans children and must go back to work in the mill despite his pride. He and Mr. Thornton attain a friendship based on mutual respect for the others' position.