Scarlett is the 16-year-old eldest daughter of Gerald and Ellen O’Hara. She is a headstrong Southern belle who uses her charm to captivate local men, though she harbors a stubborn infatuation for her neighbor, Ashley Wilkes. Used to getting her way, she possesses a ruthless pragmatism and a fierce instinct for survival that set her apart from the typical expectations for young women in her society.

Rhett is a wealthy, scandalous rogue from Charleston who is largely shunned by polite Southern society due to a past dueling incident. He possesses a cynical view of the impending war and openly doubts the South's chances of victory, earning him the ire of local patriots. Unafraid to voice unpopular opinions, he operates by his own rules and recognizes a kindred rebellious spirit in Scarlett.

Melanie is a soft-spoken, intellectual young woman who embodies the traditional ideals of the Southern aristocracy. Though physically frail, she displays intense loyalty and quiet inner strength when protecting her loved ones. She sees the good in everyone, frequently remaining oblivious to the ulterior motives of those around her.

Ashley is a gentlemanly, intellectual planter who prefers literature and art to politics and warfare. He belongs deeply to the chivalric, slow-paced world of the antebellum South and feels a profound sense of duty to his class. His strong sense of honor binds him to his family obligations, even as he struggles with a complicated attraction to Scarlett.

Mammy is the strict, observant head servant of the O’Hara household and Scarlett's former nurse. She enforces social codes and behavioral expectations with a firm hand, taking a highly proprietary interest in the white family she serves. She holds a position of high authority among the enslaved people at Tara and is unafraid to speak her mind.

Gerald is a florid, bombastic Irish immigrant who won the Tara plantation in a poker game. He is fiercely proud of his land and deeply devoted to his much-younger wife, Ellen. He shares a stubborn, impulsive temperament with his eldest daughter, Scarlett, and passionately advises her on the enduring value of property.

Ellen is the aristocratic, soft-spoken mistress of Tara who manages the large plantation with quiet efficiency. She married Gerald after losing her first love and maintains a serene, pious demeanor that earns her the reverence of her entire household. She serves as the moral center and primary stabilizing force for the family.

Pittypat is a nervous, indecisive older spinster who relies heavily on others to manage her life. She is easily scandalized by breaches of etiquette and frequently claims ill health when faced with conflict. She serves as a well-meaning but highly ineffective guardian for the younger women staying in her home.

Suellen is Scarlett's middle sister, a young woman who harbors an ongoing rivalry with her older sibling. She is highly concerned with social standing and romance, occasionally clashing with her family over household duties as their situation grows more difficult.

Carreen is the youngest O’Hara sister, characterized by her gentle, pious nature. She possesses a highly sensitive disposition and holds deep romantic ideals, viewing the changing world through a lens of faith and quiet devotion.

Charles is Melanie's brother, a shy and gentle young man from Atlanta. He is quickly captivated by Scarlett's charm and, caught up in the feverish atmosphere of the impending war, proposes to her, setting off a chain of events that drastically alters her life trajectory.

Frank is a middle-aged, somewhat timid gentleman who initially sets his sights on courting Suellen O’Hara. He is a polite and conservative man who struggles to assert himself, later trying his hand as a merchant in Atlanta's changing economy to better his fortunes.

Will is a quiet, observant former farmer who recovers from severe illness at Tara. Coming from outside the aristocratic planter class, he brings practical agricultural knowledge and a steady, grounding presence to the plantation, proving himself an invaluable ally during difficult times.

Uncle Peter is the loyal majordomo for the Hamilton family. He acts as a firm protector and manager for the indecisive Aunt Pittypat, taking a highly proprietary and authoritative stance toward the white family members he serves and shielding them from the harsh realities of the city.

Wade is the quiet, nervous son of Scarlett and Charles Hamilton. Raised during the tumult of war and the bustling environment of Atlanta, he frequently relies on the adults around him for a sense of stability that his mother struggles to provide.

Ella is a scrawny, somewhat scatterbrained young girl growing up in Atlanta during the turbulent post-war years. She frequently blends into the background of her busy environment, struggling to capture the attention of the adults around her.

Belle is a sex worker and later a brothel owner in Atlanta who is entirely shunned by polite society. Despite her outcast status, she is a pragmatic businesswoman who harbors a sincere desire to support the local community and the war effort from the shadows.

Bonnie is a willful, blue-eyed girl who quickly becomes the center of attention in her wealthy home. She possesses a headstrong temperament and enjoys a lavishly indulged upbringing, deeply influencing the behavior of the adults who dote on her.

Prissy is a young enslaved girl tasked with caring for Wade Hamilton. She is prone to anxiety and frequently makes false claims about her skills to avoid trouble, behavior that heavily impacts the household during moments of intense crisis.

Big Sam is the towering, affable former foreman of the field hands at Tara. He maintains a strong sense of loyalty to the O'Hara family and provides critical physical protection during a highly dangerous encounter in Atlanta's shantytown.

Jonas is the former overseer at Tara who holds a deep grudge against the O'Hara family. He gains political power during the Reconstruction era, using his new position in the government to exact revenge and attempt to seize the plantation for himself.

India is Ashley's sister, a rigid and proud woman who strictly adheres to the social codes of the Old Guard. She harbors a deep, enduring resentment toward Scarlett and serves as a fierce protector of her family's honor in a rapidly changing world.