A beautiful, charming young woman who recently married the wealthy, 56-year-old Sir Michael Audley. Formerly working as a governess named Lucy Graham in the village of Audley, she enchants almost everyone she meets with her gentle nature and graceful beauty. Despite her outward innocence, she is fiercely protective of her new luxurious lifestyle and exhibits sudden, strange moments of intense anxiety. She claims to have had a hard life in the past, deliberately using her delicate appearance to secure pity and devotion.

Sir Michael's nephew, Robert is an eccentric, idle barrister who relies on a generous family allowance rather than taking on legal cases. He meanders through life without ambition, preferring to read French novels and smoke cigars, until the sudden disappearance of his childhood friend forces him to take action. As he begins to investigate the mystery in Essex, he uncovers a hidden talent for methodical observation and deduction.

A wealthy, 56-year-old widower and the master of Audley Court. He harbors romantic fantasies about his new wife and dotes on her completely, willfully accepting her admission that his wealth and lifestyle are what attracted her to the marriage. He is generous and noble but remarkably naive regarding the tension and secrets brewing inside his own household.

A young man from an affluent family who was disowned by his stern father for marrying a penniless girl. He traveled to Australia to seek his fortune and provide for his young wife, returning to England wealthy but deeply anxious about what might have changed. His sudden, unexplained disappearance from the grounds of Audley Court sets the central mystery of the novel in motion.

Sir Michael's 18-year-old daughter from his first marriage. She is a boisterous, straightforward girl who loves the countryside, her dogs, and riding horses. She is one of the very few people completely immune to Lady Audley's charms, viewing her new stepmother as vacuous, deceitful, and manipulative.

George's wealthy, stubborn, and inflexible father. He lives in an immaculate house and insists on perfect order in all things. He coldly refuses to believe that his son's disappearance is anything more than a trick designed to worry him and extract money, preferring to protect his own pride over investigating the truth.

George's sister, who initially appears as emotionally suppressed as their father. However, she secretly harbors a fierce devotion to her brother, having felt isolated and stifled her entire life. She becomes intensely determined to uncover the truth about George's fate, directly inspiring Robert to abandon his lazy habits and act.

A former sea captain and George's father-in-law. He is a nervous, shambling man who struggles financially and is overly fond of drink. He serves as the guardian for his young grandson, though he appears burdened by secrets and often relies on pawning a gold watch to keep creditors at bay.

A highly anxious woman who helps care for young George Talboys (Jr.) at Mr. Maldon's house. She acts remarkably nervous around strangers and constantly tries to hush the young boy's innocent chatter, acting as though she is guarding a fragile conspiracy.

The young, precocious son of George Talboys. Having barely known his parents, he lives in relative poverty with his grandfather, Mr. Maldon. He is observant and chatty, often speaking innocently about a "pretty lady" who visits him and gives him expensive gifts, much to the horror of his caretakers.

Lady Audley's personal maid. She is a shrewd, observant country girl who envies her mistress's social ascent, noting that Lady Audley was recently a servant herself. She uses her access to Lady Audley's private rooms to uncover secrets, hoping to secure a better financial future.

Phoebe's coarse, plain-spoken cousin and suitor. He hates snobbery and dreams of opening his own public house. When he stumbles upon potential leverage against Lady Audley, he is perfectly willing to exploit it for financial gain, despite his heavy drinking and deeply careless nature.

A young, respectable gentleman who visits Audley Court during the hunting season. He is openly affectionate toward Alicia Audley and formally proposes to her, though he struggles to win her romantic interest away from her cousin Robert.

A local doctor in the village of Audley. He employed Lucy Graham as a governess before she caught the eye of Sir Michael, and he continues to serve as the reliable physician for Audley Court.