Alexander is a 33-year-old Russian nobleman stripped of his wealth and restricted to a tiny belfry room. He maintains his refined manners and deep appreciation for food, literature, and culture despite his drastic change in status. Following the advice of his late godfather, he resolves to master his constrained circumstances rather than complain about them, applying his aristocratic training to everyday routines inside the hotel.

Nina is a precocious 9-year-old girl who lives in the hotel with her widowed father. She has an intense fascination with princesses but openly rejects their rules of polite etiquette when they conflict with her own logical viewpoints. Using a passkey, she spends her days exploring the hotel's hidden infrastructure, eventually leading the Count into the secret boiler rooms and storage closets.

Widely known as Mishka, he is a passionate poet and university friend of the Count. He comes from a poor background and actively supports the Bolshevik cause, contrasting sharply with the Count's aristocratic upbringing. He frequently paces the room while delivering intense opinions about literature and politics.

Anna is a beautiful, willowy actress who frequently stays at the Metropol. Known for her expressive eyebrows and distinctly husky voice, her film career experiences dramatic highs and lows as public tastes change under the new political regime. She shares a pragmatic understanding of shifting fortunes with the Count, leading to an enduring bond.

Sofia is Nina's young daughter who is placed in the Count's care. She possesses her mother's rugged practicality but carries herself with a calm, studious demeanor rather than combative impatience. Her sudden arrival forces the Count to abandon his set routines and learn the instinctual demands of fatherhood.

A narrow-headed, smug hotel employee who begins as an incompetent waiter. He fiercely resents the Count's aristocratic knowledge, particularly his expertise regarding wine and table service. He aggressively uses the Party's push for equality as a tool to elevate himself and humiliate those with superior refinement.

A former Red Army officer turned Bolshevik official with a prominent scar above his ear. Recognizing Russia's need to interact with Western powers, he enlists the Count to teach him French and English culture. He is a staunch Party loyalist who unexpectedly develops an intense fascination with American cinema and Hollywood movies.

The tall, handsome, graying French maître d' of the Metropol's premier restaurant. He maintains the establishment's high standards despite severe economic shortages, relying on his long fingers and intuitive service skills. He forms a tight-knit alliance with Emile and the Count to preserve the art of fine dining.

The brilliant, temperamental chef de cuisine at the Boyarsky. Standing five-foot-five and weighing two hundred pounds, he wields his chopping knife to direct his staff and express his frequent frustrations. He relies heavily on the Count's sophisticated palate to evaluate his culinary improvisations.

An American military aide who later transitions into the State Department. Educated and cosmopolitan, he matches the Count's aristocratic background and provides a Western perspective on history and politics. He values grand achievements and human spirit over rigid ideological compliance.

The conductor of the Piazza orchestra. He is a Conservatory-trained musician who takes a job playing light music at the hotel to make a living. He recognizes true musical talent instantly and quietly shapes the artistic development of those under his tutelage.

The hotel's practical seamstress, recently promoted from chambermaid due to budget cuts. She offers grounded assistance to the Count, teaching him how to sew and providing no-nonsense advice when his aristocratic sensibilities clash with modern realities or parental duties.

The Count's late sister who died of scarlet fever in 1916. She represents an idyllic, carefree past at the family estate of Idlehour. The Count's enduring love for her frequently influences his actions, and he keeps a regular habit of speaking to her portrait.

The Count's late godfather and a former special envoy to the Tsar. He provided the Count with essential life advice regarding mastering one's circumstances, a philosophy that carries the Count through his decades of imprisonment.

The dutiful hotel barber. He maintains strict weekly appointments for the Count and keeps a selection of specialized grooming products in a glass case.

A vibrant young poet who captures Mishka's heart. Her relationship with Mishka causes him to visit the Count less frequently, signaling the passage of time and shifting priorities.

The reliable concierge at the Metropol Hotel. He manages the front desk, helps guests with directions and theater tickets, and maintains a friendly rapport with the Count.

The aging handyman of the Metropol Hotel. He maintains a makeshift camp on the roof where he keeps wooden crates filled with bees, sharing coffee and rustic honey with the Count during moments of deep despair.