Running Story Character Profiles

We all know and love the characters as presented on Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, but due to the nature of the running story, we have seen fit to add several of our own original characters to the mix. To make it easier to use these interesting people, I have decided to put their biographies on this page, so that current and future running story authors can have an idea of how these folks relate to the "real" DQ characters.

Physical: 5'4", thin, partly due to the fact that she'd been living on a ship for a month.


Rich, deep, long, dark brown hair. Slightly pale complexion. Beautiful, deep, dark green eyes.


Beautiful artist's hands…soft with long fingers. Her birthday is October 15.

Gretta holds her head pretty high, but not as high as she would have…when she believes in something, she can be quite stubborn. She normally has a hint of timidity, but at times can show amazing strength. She is an artist who has done some incredibly beautiful paintings.

Gretta was born Victoria Anne Ryan in Switzerland to Maria and Frederick Ryan.


Frederick, the richest man in Europe, was British, born and raised on an estate in Sussex. Maria was Swiss, and did not speak English. However, over the years, Maria did learn to speak English fluently, no doubt remembering the little she picked up in her teens.


Since the couple both spoke German, they lived in the German speaking portion of Switzerland.

There were two children, Nicholous, 20, and Gretta, 16.


Since Maria was Roman Catholic, and Frederick Anglican, they decided that Nicholous should be raised Catholic,and Victoria, Anglican.

When Victoria was born, Anna was hired as her governess. Anna's little girl Gretta had died a few months before, and she remarked that Victoria looked a lot like her, so she always called Victoria, Gretta. Soon all except Maria had taken to calling her Gretta.

When she was fourteen, Gretta met Johann Heinrick, the family's stableboy, and they fell in love. When Maria discovered their liaison, all hell broke loose, and she fired Johann. Unable to replace him, Frederick hired him back. This happened several times again, until Victoria secretly got him a job as stableboy for her boarding school. This way they could still see each other without her family knowing.

Two years later, Frederick's business moved from Geneva to Zurich. Afraid of losing each other, Johann and Victoria secretly married, and booked passage on the same train that Frederick was to travel on.

Maria Ryan was feeling poorly, and Nicholous stayed with her, as Victoria, Johann and Frederick left on the train.

Once they arrived in Zurich, Johann and Victoria would secretly go to Venice. That was not to be. On the way to Zurich, the engine exploded. Frederick Ryan died instantly of a broken neck, and Johann bled to death before help could arrive. He died in Victoria's arms. Victoria only sustained a gash in her left arm.

When Johann died, Victoria left the scene. She hid in the woods, and when her family came to see if she survived, she somehow returned to Geneva, and found Anna without being seen.

Anna prepared a trunk with their necessities, some of Gretta's paintings, money, and they left before Maria and Nicholous returned.

Victoria and Anna both decide to use her married name, Heinrick, and Victoria begins to exclusively call herself Gretta. They arrive in America, at the Boston Harbor, where they meet Matthew and Brian Cooper. She accompanies them to Colorado Springs where she works as governess for their sister, Katie Sully. Against her mother's wishes, Gretta married Dr. Ryan Bell in Colorado Springs.

Physical: Maria is very dark. She has dark brown eyes that become black when she is angry, and black hair, that still has much color, though gray hairs are beginning to appear. All this despite the fact that's she entered the sixties. However, her skin is very pale, giving her a such a contrasted look, that it overpowers any traces of beauty about her face. She is plump, and small, and queenly. And she's VERY proud.

Maria and Gretta look nothing alike, though under all that pride and elegance, they have the same temper; usually calm, but can show an amazing amount of strength at times.


When she was young, she was exceedingly spoiled, which no amount of training could cover. However, age and humiliation has lessened her selfishness. She was brought up at the lowest end of high-society, and her parents died when she was sixteen. Shortly after, an inheritance from a distant uncle kept her in good society.

A year after that, she met a Mr. Wilson, an American who was looking for an easy way to make quick money. Coming from a very genteel family, he trained Maria to be an extremely elegant lady, fit for any high-class gentleman, and sent her chasing after eligible, rich, and promising young men. She would get as much money out of each man as she could, and a percentage went to Mr. Wilson. When she was twenty-one, she met Mr. Ryan (who would eventually become titled), an Englishman who was working his way to the top of society.


He was a business partner with a Mr. Bell, at the time, and he was engaged to a Daphne Pennington, a thriving young novelist.

But that didn't stop Maria from constantly staying in his society. Within two years, Ryan and Bell were sitting on a gold mine, investing in all sorts of different businesses. Then, Daphne Pennington left Frederick Ryan at the altar for his partner, Timothy Bell. It made him thoroughly bitter inside, and he held a grudge against Mr. Bell for the rest of his life, but he didn't let on for years.

Heartbroken, and hardened, Frederick Ryan entered into a loveless marriage with Maria, all the while, he was still in love with Daphne. In a few years, the business was more prosperous than ever, and Timothy and Daphne had a son, whom they named Ryan, after Frederick, whom they thought was their dearest friend. That was when Frederick Ryan got his revenge.

The years since his marriage, Timothy Bell had become more and more involved with his wife and politics, and gave more and more of his power to Frederick.

Sneakily trapping Timothy, Frederick took all control of the business, nearly bankrupting the Bells. Timothy Bell later went on to become a senator, and the two families never spoke again. A year later, Maria and Frederick had a son, Nicholous.

Physical: Height 5'8", stocky, but he's not short, or plump. He's just in between. He takes after his English ancestors, and he's got blonde sandy hair fairly tinted with auburn (which came from the Irish side), and light yellow-brown eyes. However, there is a strong resemblance between him and his sister. When you see them, you know that they've got to be blood related in some way. He also has fair skin, but he has good color.

He was spoiled as a little boy, but after Anna got a hold of him he turned out to be a nice young man, though people say his sister has a better character (of course, that was BEFORE she eloped).

He was quite mischievous as a little boy, too. His temperament is strong and he's stubborn as a mule. He has very little patience. He doesn't get angry easily, but when he loses his temper, he blows his top half way to Pluto (it's the Irish in him).

He's also got a great amount of ambition, and always hoped that he would one day take over his father's businesses (for his father didn't simply own ONE business, but several. One of them being an investment firm), and make them more successful than ever. /p>

Physical: Cyrus is an older gentleman, likely somewhere in his sixties. He has brown eyes, and graying brown hair. He is similar in build to his nephew, about as tall. There is a family resemblance…about as much as any blood related uncle would have to his nephew, but they are not dead ringers.

Andrew's uncle is a character that has been mentioned in the show, but never named. In the running story, it was decided that he would be called Cyrus Phillip Cook. We also decided to give him a wife, Rose.


He has a kindly, if slightly crotchety personality. He doesn't react well to surprises, but usually is able to adjust after a fashion.


He was somewhat disappointed that Andrew had decided not to join him in his practice, but is still willing to support Andrew where he can.


To that end, when Cyrus found out that Andrew and his new wife Colleen would be moving to Philadelphia where Colleen would attend medical school, he contacted his friend and former colleague, Dr. Nathaniel Pennington of Philadelphia.


As it happened, Dr. Pennington's partner and nephew, Dr. Ryan Bell, had decided to move West, so the job was ready and waiting for Andrew.

Physical: 5'3", petite. She has curly, white, shoulder length hair. Smooth skin, with only a couple of wrinkles. Blue eyes.

Rose has a loud personality, and is always well dressed. She is basically kindly, but often a little too concerned with appearances. She tends to compete with other women of similar station.

Physical: Short, round. She has graying brown hair, gray eyes, and wears silver spectacles.


Her cheeks are pudgy, and always bright pink.

No one will ever know her Christian name…she will always be known as Mrs. White. She's a kindly, chattery lady. She's always the first to know the latest gossip, and has a tendency to make it juicier than it really is


She's just bursting with talk all the time, and her red lips are always curved in a bright, big smile.


She tends to over dress, and strives to have the best and first of everything. For example, the lady who owns the boarding house down the street doesn't have a piano. Mrs. White's boarding house was the first on the block to acquire a piano.


Mrs. White rambles. When she talks, she covers several subjects at a time…unless she gets into one deep conversation. This makes her all the more merry!!!

Physical: Medium tall, about 5'10". 62 years old. His birthday is December 31. On the thin side, but not unhealthily so. His hair is straight, white, (prematurely so..since fairly early in his forties) and tends to be a little unruly. He wears glasses. His eyes are very clear and very blue. His mother, sister, and sometimes his wife call him Natty, but he'd prefer that nickname to remain in the family.

Dr. Pennington has a much more modern, youthful outlook than most of his contemporaries, only partially due to his very young wife, who is about 30 years younger than he is.


Nathaniel is open to such things as woman doctors, so Andrew and his wife will find him quite supportive and sympathetic.

Nathaniel is kind and compassionate, although he does tend to speak without thinking. He particularly enjoys talking. He is a very energetic man, and he doesn't intend to get old ever!

Over twenty-five years ago, Nathaniel was married to Margaret. The marriage ended tragically, on their first wedding anniversary, with Margaret's untimely death due to complications from influenza.

Nathaniel is an accomplished pianist and singer. Music is one of many interests he shares with his wife, Alexandra. They are now the proud parents of Natalia Claire Pennington.

Physical: Barely 5'0", petite. 31 years old. Her birthday is November 1. Long, straight, black hair. Deep, dark brown eyes that darken further in emotional situations. Pale complexion. Her family and close friends call her Sasha, or sometimes, Alex.

Alexandra was born in Russia to the wife of a wealthy merchant. When Alexandra was two and a half years old, her father was accused of political crimes and they fled the country, living in Switzerland for a few months with relatives until the papers were ready for them to emigrate to America.


The boat they were on went down just outside New York Harbor, and Alexandra's father was drowned.


Her mother continued into America, and was taken in by third cousins who arranged her marriage to Charles Harrison so she could stay in the country.

Because of the horrible treatment she had to endure from her first husband, who physically and mentally abused her, she changed her name from Anya Katarina Vladimiria to Catherine Harrison, and her daughter's from Irina Alexandria Vladimiria to Alexandra Harrison. Catherine wished to forget her Russian past. Charles Harrison legally adopted Alexandra, and the couple went on to have another daughter, Erin Tatiana, when Alexandra was ten.

Later, about a year before she married, Alexandra found out that the man she had long thought was her father was not.


According to several letters and other recorded proof, Alexandra discovered that her real father was Vladimir Sokolov. He was still alive, and according to all accounts, a good man.


From then on, Alexandra only thought of herself as Alexandra Harrison in the legal sense. In her heart she believes she is Alexandra Vladimirovna Sokolova, and that she will find her real father one day.


Aside from any authorities aiding in her search, the only person she's told about this, is her husband. Not even Catherine knows that her daughter is aware of the affair she had as an unhappy young bride.

When Alexandra was 24, she met Dr. Nathaniel Pennington, a widower about 30 years her senior.


They shared many interests, especially music…they were both accomplished singers. There was something very special between the two of them.


When they announced their engagement, Charles was glad, but Catherine was horrified. It seemed to her that Alexandra was doing exactly what she herself had been forced to do.

Nathaniel and Alexandra had to elope. Catherine would not acknowledge the marriage for the first year, but she relented when Charles pleaded with her.


Now that the couple is finally starting a family, Catherine is accepting the marriage a little more, but she still takes every opportunity to make her feelings known to any and all who will listen.

Alexandra is developing a close friendship with Colleen, the wife of her husband's colleague, Dr. Andrew Cook. Perhaps she will trust Colleen enough to let her in on her secret

Nathaniel and Alexandra are now the proud parents of Natalia Claire, who was named after her grandmother and her great grandmother.

As a young man, Vladimir and the very young, married, Katya (Catherine) fell secretly in love. It was a lovely affair, till she became with child...thankfully, that was exactly what her abusive husband wanted...he never knew that Alexandra was not his...

Although compelled to stay out of sight, for Katya's (and his own) safety, (especially since the baby bore such a strong resemblance to him...there would have been suspicions...) Vladimir secretly provided for the child as much as he could unseen. This continued until Katya was forced to leave the country. When her husband drowned, she severed all ties to Russia...including her lover. She made sure that Vladimir was informed of her death and that of their daughter, by sending her brother Pavel, the only person Katya had trusted with her dark secret. Katya gave Pavel the pendant that Vladimir had given her as a token of his devotion, so that he could return it to Vladimir as proof that Katya had indeed perished.

Broken hearted, Vladimir eventually went on with his life...becoming fluent in English, French and German, and fairly well versed in Spanish and Italian, all the romance languages, really...as well as developing various skills useful on both sides of the law. Fortunately, his talent in languages was an opportunity to remain legitimate, and he became a teacher, specializing in foreign languages.


An unexpected inheritance gave him the freedom to move to Switzerland. He was living there when he met Anna, and they married after a very quick but intense courtship. The couple now live in Colorado Springs, where Vladimir has taken over Mrs. Slicker's teaching job, a job that is divided between Vladimir and Ida Hamilton. The Sokolovs are now expecting their first child.

Physical: Anna is small and plump, with light brown hair, hazelnut eyes, and fair skin.

Born into a poor family, Anna knows the meaning of work. She married a good man whose life was lost to fever, shortly after the birth of their daughter, Greta, who died at the age of 2.

That was when she took on the position of governess at the house of the Ryans, looking after Victoria, who happened to very much resemble Anna's daughter, so everyone but Maria called the little girl Gretta.

Anna is really more like a mother than Maria ever was. Anna was the one who taught her everything about working, being good and kind, helping others, never to judge someone for their race or situation. Anna provided a strong foundation, on which a stuffy society built very weak walls, which are beginning to crumble since Gretta's been in America. Anna went to Europe as Michaela's sister Rebecca's travelling partner. When they arrived in Switzerland, Anna met Vladimir by chance, and the couple fell immediately in love. Through Rebecca's and Vladimir's influence, Anna became confident enough to speak English when they returned to the states, bringing along Gretta's mother, Maria and leaving Rebecca in Boston, continuing on to Colorado where Gretta had gone sometime before. Anna is delighted with her new life in Colorado Springs. The Sokolovs are expecting their first child, and they have also taken Jamey, a troubled young lady, into their home.

Physical: Similar in build to her sister, but with ivory skin smattered with freckles. Emerald green eyes, thick, curly, fiery red hair. Family and close friends call her Aria.

Most of Erin's background can be found in Alexandra's entry.


Erin's fiery red hair fully explains her fiery temperament. She is in direct contrast with her sister's calmer manner, but the two are as close as sisters can be.


Erin wishes to become a doctor one day, but her mother is dead set against it. Due to family conflicts, Erin has moved in with her sister and brother-in-law, who are in complete support of Erin's aspirations. With Colleen's help, Erin has been accepted into the college on a full scholarship.

She is a housewife and active in the Women's Charity league. She loves balls, parties and being the center of attention. She is very refined and ladylike, and shocked that her daughters do not take after her in that respect. She loves her children dearly, but sometimes her want to control their lives overshadows this. She can also hold a grudge quite well, as seen in Erin's case, and has been known to bring up past events quite frequently!

Physical: Charles Edward Harrison is 55, tall, slim and serious. He has red hair, blue eyes and fair skin. Erin resembles him greatly except in temperament.

Charles is calm, quiet and introverted, preferring to let his wife take the spotlight. He is very reserved, like Alexandra, and rarely vocalizes his feelings to outsiders beyond his family.

He is a banker, and takes great delight in both his daughters and their accomplishments. He feels medical school is the best thing for Erin, and is trying, in his own quiet way to convince his wife. He realizes that hers and Erin's tempers are often at odds. He is usually the mediator.

Physical: Tall, about 6' 2". Thin, but not too thin. Brown hair, which can look blond in the sunlight, hazel eyes, which are also changeable in the light. Glasses.

Ryan William Pennington Bell is the son of the late senator Timothy Bell, and the celebrated novelist, Daphne Pennington Bell.

He graduated from Harvard Medical School, then spent two years abroad in further study. Then, he worked for his uncle, Dr. Nathaniel Pennington, in Philadelphia. Dr. Bell has been recently hired as the resident physician for the Chateau Springs and Health Resort, which Preston A. Lodge III sold to Senator Dinston.

Timothy Bell had been the business partner of Gretta's father Frederick Ryan, the richest man in Europe. Indeed, his son was named after Mr. Ryan. Timothy was a tall, handsome man, with a ready smile, and a very convincing manner. He had light brown hair, hazel eyes and light freckles. Ryan tended to favor his mother's looks in all other respects, but his coloring definitely came from his father.

There was a short period when Ryan considered going into politics like his father, but his innate compassion led him to follow his uncle and grandfather's path into medicine.

Ryan had feelings for Gretta, known to him as Victoria, but like most of her past contacts, he believed she had died in the same train crash that killed her father. The two of them met again in Colorado Springs, at first deciding to remain friends, until discovering they had romantic feelings for each other. These feelings continued to blossom, culminating in their recent wedding.

Physical: Tall, thin, regal carriage. Speaks with an English accent. Always well-dressed and impeccably groomed.


Straight, white hair, always arranged elegantly. Glasses. Clear blue eyes that still twinkle. Clara is extremely fit for a woman in her eighties.

Clara, the widow of Dr. Will Pennington, is the mother of Dr. Nathaniel Pennington and Daphne Pennington Bell.

Clara is a seasoned traveller, who has been all over the world.


When her son Nathaniel married his very young wife, Alexandra, Clara disapproved at first, but then she remembered how devastated he was when his wife Margaret died. It had been some twenty-five years since Nathaniel had been in love, and Clara decided that if the age difference didn't bother him, then it didn't bother her either.

Clara has developed a wonderful relationship with her daughter-in-law, as well as with Alexandra's sister, Erin. However, her relationship with Alexandra's mother is quite another matter.

Several years ago, Clara overheard Catherine Harrison discussing her daughter's marriage. Clara joined the conversation without identifying herself. Catherine said the wrong thing, and Clara absolutely laid into her.

Needless to say, Clara and Catherine have remained civil, only for the sake of their children.

Physical: Tall, thin. Silvery hair, clear blue eyes. Always impeccably groomed and well-dressed, Daphne carries her spectacles with her in a beautiful jeweled case, but her vanity prevents her from actually wearing them.

Daphne is the daughter of Will and Clara Pennington. Her older brother is Dr. Nathaniel Pennington of Philadelphia.


Daphne has written several novels and is known for her sense of culture and refinement. She tours frequently to promote her current books, and is fairly well known.

She was married to Senator Timothy Bell, who had been Frederick Ryan's business partner.


Ryan William Pennington Bell is Daphne's only child...the pregnancy was so terribly difficult...she and the baby nearly died, but fortunately, largely due to Frederick Ryan's influence (he had not yet revealed his bitterness to the Bells) she had the best doctors and facilities obtainable at the time. Naturally, her brother Nathaniel and her father, Dr. Will Pennington were involved in her care, but as they were too close to the patient, Mr. Ryan's physician actually performed the delivery. Still, Daphne was unable to have any more children after that, and was further saddened when her beloved father became ill and died within the year. Soon after that, of course, the Bells were financially ruined, and the families never spoke again.

Timothy Bell was elected to the U.S. Senate where he served two terms, and became a wealthy man again. Shortly after their son graduated from medical school and finished his medical studies abroad, Senator Bell died of the heart condition that had troubled him for the past several years. When Senator Bell passed away, Daphne was left with a substantial inheritance, and is quite wealthy.

Daphne's son is now the resident physician at the Springs Chateau and Health Resort in Colorado Springs.