Eliza is an empathetic and wealthy American woman with strong maternal instincts. She is fiercely protective of her friends and dedicated to helping others, eventually establishing a relief committee to aid Russian refugees. Managing profound personal grief, she seeks a new sense of purpose through philanthropy.

Sofya is a compassionate member of the extended Russian royal family who grows from a sheltered aristocrat into a resilient survivor. Devoted to her son Max, she abandons her privileged life to escape a war-torn country. Her harrowing experiences reshape her, requiring immense sacrifice and bravery.

Varinka is a struggling young peasant girl whose desire for family security drives her to make selfish choices. She is heavily manipulated by Taras, which distorts her worldview. Her intense, misguided maternal attachment to Sofya's infant son puts her in direct conflict with the Streshnayva family.

Luba is Sofya's highly intelligent and contrarian younger sister. She represents hope and resilience, repeatedly using her wits to protect her family and resist their captors. She harbors a deep love for astrology, symbolized by her recreation of the night sky on her bedroom ceiling.

Taras is the former apprentice to Varinka's late father. He uses intimidation and physical violence to control Varinka, displaying a brutal sense of entitlement.

Henry is Eliza's loving husband and Caroline's father. He is deeply devoted to his family and shares a close bond with his friend Richard Merrill. His sudden, severe illness forces Eliza into an entirely new chapter of her life.

Richard is Henry's friend and Eliza's former admirer from their school days. He maintains a quiet devotion to Eliza despite his engagement to another woman.

Caroline is Eliza and Henry's teenage daughter. Initially sullen and withdrawn following a family tragedy, she eventually finds her voice by passionately defending her mother's relief efforts.

Eliza's mother is a revered philanthropist and humanitarian. She serves as a grounding force for Eliza and delivers a passionate defense of cultural tolerance to prejudiced members of their community.

Agnessa is Sofya and Luba's difficult, French-influenced stepmother. Accustomed to immense luxury, she displays a profound lack of empathy for the working classes.

Afon is Sofya's husband and Max's father. He works closely with the Finance Ministry before leaving his family behind to join the war effort.

Max is Sofya and Afon's young son. As an infant and toddler, he becomes the focal point of a desperate struggle between his birth mother and Varinka.

Varinka's mother is a peasant woman who possesses the gift of foresight through oracular cards. She struggles with illness but eventually finds her own agency as a skilled needlework designer.

Radimir is a handsome Jewish intellectual who meets Varinka in the city. He offers her a path to a healthier, more genuine connection away from her toxic past.

The Streshnayva family chef is a highly skilled culinary worker who handles the estate's kitchen. He harbors quiet affections for Sofya and risks his life to seek help.

Vladi is Taras's heavily scarred friend and a local bandit. He violently takes over the Streshnayva estate, forcing the royal family into subservience.

Nancy is a Russian refugee who has lost her entire family to bandits. Eliza nurses her back to health, forging a close bond rooted in shared grief.

Peg is Eliza's loyal but superstitious Irish maid. She provides moments of comic relief and minor frustration in the Mitchell household.

Mrs. Astronovich is the wife of a local general store owner. Following the revolution, she becomes both caretaker and jailer to the captive royal family.

Electra is a malicious local gossip in Eliza's American community. She leads a prejudiced campaign against the refugees Eliza takes into her home.

Anna is a socialite briefly engaged to Richard Merrill. She aligns herself with Electra Whitney's efforts to thwart Eliza's humanitarian work.

William is a polite local policeman in America who handles community disputes. He later becomes an admirer of Luba.

Dr. Forbes is the Mitchell family physician. He admonishes Eliza for her misguided attempts to cure her husband's illness with cold water.