Cedric is a seven-year-old boy residing in New York who suddenly learns he is the heir to an English earldom. He possesses a remarkably generous, optimistic disposition and genuinely believes the best of everyone he meets. His striking appearance and natural grace often disarm the skeptical adults around him. He uses his newfound position to help his friends before departing for his new life.

Mrs. Errol is Cedric's widowed American mother. She maintains a dignified, simple life and prioritizes her son's character development over material wealth or social status. Despite enduring the harsh prejudice of her father-in-law, she refuses to speak ill of him to Cedric, preferring to foster peace over resentment.

The Earl of Dorincourt is a wealthy, bitter English nobleman who lives largely isolated on his vast estate. He suffers from physical ailments and holds a highly cynical view of humanity. Over the years, he has alienated his tenants and family, and he demands his newly discovered grandson be brought to England to be shaped into a proper heir.

Minna is an American woman who contacts the Earl's lawyer with a sudden inheritance claim. She asserts that her young son is the true heir to the Dorincourt estate, creating a severe legal and personal challenge for the family.

Silas Hobbs is a gruff, politically opinionated grocery store owner in New York. Despite his loud disdain for aristocrats and generally unapproachable exterior, he forms a strong bond with young Cedric. He struggles with the sudden news of the boy's departure to England.

Dick is an observant, street-smart shoeshine boy. He relies on his wits to survive the city and appreciates Cedric's genuine interest in his work. He possesses a strong sense of loyalty to those who treat him fairly.

Captain Errol was the youngest son of the Earl of Dorincourt and the late father of Cedric. He chose to marry an American woman for love, resulting in permanent estrangement from his wealthy father. His legacy of kindness heavily influences how others treat his wife and son.

Mr. Havisham is the pragmatic, experienced family lawyer for the Earl of Dorincourt. He travels to New York fully expecting to find vulgar Americans and shares some of his employer's cynical views. He slowly revises his assumptions upon meeting the boy and his mother.

Mary is the loyal, long-time servant to the Errol family in New York. She helps care for the household on a tight budget and takes great pride in Cedric's naturally graceful manners.

Mr. Mordaunt is the local clergyman near the Dorincourt estate. He often bears the difficult task of asking the hostile Earl for charitable leniency on behalf of struggling tenant farmers.

Higgins is a struggling tenant farmer on the Dorincourt estate. When he falls behind on his rent, he faces severe consequences from his unforgiving landlord until external intervention occurs.

Mrs. Mellon is the head housekeeper at Dorincourt Castle. She holds fond memories of the late Captain Cedric Errol, Sr., and welcomes his son to the estate with an optimistic outlook.

Dawson is the maid assigned as Cedric's personal servant upon his arrival at the castle. She quickly warms to the boy after observing his polite demeanor and understandable homesickness.

Wilkins is a riding instructor and groom at Dorincourt Castle. He teaches the young lord how to ride a new pony and admires the boy's bravery in the saddle.

Lady Constantia is the Earl's sister. She has stayed away from her brother for an extended period due to his difficult temperament but returns to the castle specifically to meet her new nephew.

Bevis is the Earl's deceased eldest son. He lived a difficult life that brought shame to the family name, deeply disappointing his father and ultimately leaving the inheritance to his younger brother's line.

Tom is a five-year-old boy presented to the English aristocracy as the rightful heir to the Dorincourt earldom. He carries a distinctive three-cornered scar on his chin.

Ben is an American man whose arrival in England disrupts the legal proceedings regarding the Dorincourt inheritance. He travels across the ocean to present evidence to the Earl's lawyers.

Dougal is a large mastiff living at Dorincourt Castle. He forms an immediate and peaceful bond with the young lord.