Bertram is a mild-mannered science teacher in the highly religious town of Hillsboro. He faces criminal trial for reading a chapter from Charles Darwin's *On the Origin of Species* to his students, violating a local statute. Despite his inherent timidity, he holds a firm conviction regarding academic freedom and refuses to issue a false apology to avoid prosecution. His principled stand isolates him from the community he serves.

Henry is a renowned defense attorney from out of town, hired by the *Baltimore Herald* to represent Bertram Cates. He is a pragmatic agnostic who values critical thinking and intellectual freedom over strict adherence to doctrine. Often assigned to defend unpopular clients, he relies on a sharp intellect and theatrical courtroom tactics to level an inherently biased legal playing field.

Matthew is a highly confident public speaker and a three-time unsuccessful presidential candidate. He travels to Hillsboro to serve as the prosecuting attorney in the evolution trial. As a fundamentalist Christian, he firmly believes the Bible provides all necessary explanations for the world and views science as a dangerous threat to morality.

E. K. Hornbeck is a cynical journalist covering the trial for the *Baltimore Herald*. Unlike the deeply religious townspeople, he openly identifies as a skeptic and frequently mocks fundamentalist beliefs. He speaks in unrhymed verse, setting him apart from the naturalistic dialogue of the locals. His newspaper covers the defense's expenses.

Rachel is a teacher at the same school as Bertram and the daughter of the town's reverend. She feels deeply torn between her romantic feelings for Bertram and her father's strict religious teachings. Fearful of conflict, she believes a teacher should conform to the law and the school board's dictates.

Reverend Brown is the primary spiritual leader of Hillsboro. He enforces a strict, literalist brand of Christianity and expects unquestioning faith from his congregation. He actively organizes the town's welcoming of the prosecution and leads public prayer meetings to condemn the teaching of evolution.

Mrs. Brady travels with her husband to Hillsboro for the trial. She acts more as a protective mother figure than a traditional wife, constantly worrying about his health and attempting to prevent him from overeating at town buffets. She provides a grounding presence for the larger-than-life orator.

The Judge oversees the highly publicized trial in Hillsboro. He attempts to maintain order but frequently displays bias toward the prosecution and local religious customs. He restricts the defense's ability to call scientific experts, forcing the defense to rely on unconventional strategies to make their case.

Tom is the local circuit district attorney who assists the prosecution. He acts as a competent legal partner for the visiting prosecutor but generally defers to the more famous lawyer's judgment during the courtroom proceedings.

Mr. Meeker is the town bailiff who manages the jail where the defendant is held. He is a mild-mannered man who allows Rachel to visit her boyfriend, showing basic kindness despite the town's overall hostility toward the prisoner.

Howard is a thirteen-year-old student in Hillsboro. He takes the stand as a witness for the prosecution to recount what he learned in science class. He does not fully grasp the scientific concepts he was taught but demonstrates that the lessons have not harmed his basic moral compass.

The Mayor is the highest civic official in Hillsboro. He is highly concerned with the town's public image and the political ramifications of the high-profile trial. He initially supports the prosecution enthusiastically but grows worried about how the proceedings might affect upcoming elections.

George is a local man called to serve on the jury. Unlike many of the fervent townspeople, he is largely apathetic toward religion and holds no strong feelings about evolutionary theory. The defense accepts him onto the jury specifically for his impartiality.

Mr. Bannister is a local citizen who observes the initial commotion in town and is subsequently selected to serve on the jury during the trial.

Dunlap is a prospective juror who is highly vocal about his support for the Bible and the prosecution. He is dismissed from serving on the jury due to his obvious bias against the defendant.

Melinda is a young girl in Hillsboro. She shares the town's strict religious views, viewing talk of evolution as sinful. She is easily frightened by outsiders, famously screaming and fleeing when she first spots the visiting defense attorney.

Elijah is a fervent Christian who lives alone in the woods. He sells Bibles in the town square during the carnival-like atmosphere preceding the trial.