John is an eccentric and passionate vehicle tester at the Kissel factory who possesses a strong desire to build something lasting. He approaches life with endless curiosity, frequently recording notes about dogs and studying agricultural philosophy. Fired for his unconventional methods, he purchases a farm to breed and train dogs.

Mary is John's pragmatic and insightful wife who single-handedly sands their carriage house floors to make it a livable home. Having survived an abusive environment under her stepfather, she values independence and security. She is instrumental in securing the funds needed to purchase the farm.

Gar is the eldest son of John and Mary, a physically imposing young man who resembles a lumberjack. Returning home after serving in a special military dog unit, he struggles to adapt to civilian life. He maintains a sense of responsibility toward the family farm despite feeling alienated.

Claude is the younger son of John and Mary, characterized by his secretive nature and growing ambition. He works at a local veterinary clinic, where his fearlessness and lack of typical empathy draw him toward dangerous underground activities. He uses his medical access to associate with illicit operations.

Ulysses, known as Elbow, is John's mild-mannered and stoic best friend. He works at an ice company and possesses a meticulous, almost obsessive dedication to woodworking. He conditionally agrees to join John and Mary on their new farm venture, bringing his quiet steadiness to the chaotic household.

Frank is a World War I veteran who returns home with severe physical injuries, missing an arm and a leg, alongside deep psychological scars. He joins the Sawtelles at their farm but brings intense emotional volatility and a hidden morphine habit. He uses abrasive humor and isolation to cope with his trauma.

So Jack is an ice delivery wagon driver who camps at the farm property before the Sawtelles arrive. He possesses an intense, protective bond with his horse and claims to translate the animal's thoughts. He acts as an eccentric, sometimes careless, presence on the farm with a history of avoiding corrupt former employers.

Walter is a practical, honest shopkeeper who spent his early years drifting. His life changed during a catastrophic wildfire when he discovered an infant with strange properties. He dedicates his life to raising the child, moving frequently to hide her unnatural abilities from suspicious townsfolk.

Ida is a young woman who physically ages at an unusually slow rate. Since surviving a massive wildfire as an infant, she shares her body with Nyx, a powerful nature spirit. This bond grants her dangerous premonitions and unnatural abilities that force her and Walter to live a nomadic, secretive lifestyle.

Granddaddy is a massive, stoic black draft horse rescued from an abusive logging camp. He serves as So Jack's constant companion and acts as a grounding presence for several residents on the Sawtelle farm.

Louis is the wealthy founder of the Kissel car factory. Following a violent attack, he offers John a permanent, guaranteed salary out of a complicated mix of gratitude and spite.

Ricardo is a skilled leatherworker and colleague of John. He crafts an unconventional but highly effective protective helmet for John, displaying an artistic talent that causes him strange, intense dreams.

Alfons, whom Mary calls "The Beast," is Mary's wealthy, predatory stepfather. He lives a deceitful double life with another family, a secret Mary uses to secure funding for the farm.

Ev is a secretive local man who orchestrates an illegal dog fighting ring. He recruits Claude to provide off-the-books medical care for the fighting dogs, operating with a ruthless philosophy that all of life is a fight.

Percy is the unreliable captain of the Maple Frog. He hires Walter as a deckhand just before a massive wildfire traps them on the water, claiming to be guided by a mystical woman in the lake.

Audition, known as Audie, is a local woman who frequents the blind tigers in the area. She quickly forms a deep bond with Elbow, bringing a steady romance into his quiet life.

John Lang is a corrupt, violent game warden and former logging boss. He possesses a dark reputation for violence and tracks So Jack to the farm, triggering a deadly confrontation.

Kelaas is a known violent criminal who targets Popcorn Corners. His actions draw the wrath of Ida, leading to a supernatural encounter during a thunderstorm that leaves him permanently altered.

Forte is a large, sturdy dog shared by Gar and Claude. He becomes an unwitting pawn in Claude's schemes and a central point of conflict between the brothers.