Martin is a 21-year-old prideful young man who expects to inherit his grandfather's immense fortune. Raised to suspect the motives of others, he looks down on those with less money and social standing, carrying himself with unearned superiority. He arrives at Seth Pecksniff's home in Wiltshire after a bitter falling out with his family over his sudden engagement, seeking to establish himself independently as an architect. Despite his reduced circumstances, he maintains his arrogant demeanor, completely blind to the genuine kindness of those around him.

Martin is the wealthy, elderly patriarch of the sprawling Chuzzlewit family. His immense fortune has made him deeply suspicious of everyone around him, leading him to hoard his money and isolate himself from society. He travels with a paid young companion to ensure he receives care from someone whose financial interests align perfectly with his survival, rather than his death. Arriving in Wiltshire sick and frail, he observes the sycophancy of his relatives with cynical detachment, constantly testing their loyalties.

Seth is a Wiltshire architect who outwardly professes superior morals, frequently quoting pious maxims to anyone who will listen. In reality, he operates a highly lucrative scam, making his living by charging exorbitant tuition fees to young apprentices while passing their architectural designs off as his own. He treats his own daughters and his students as commodities to be traded for social and financial advancement, positioning himself to inherit his wealthy cousin's fortune.

Tom is a simple, good-hearted draftsman apprenticed to Seth Pecksniff. Despite endless exploitation, he remains entirely devoted to his employer, stubbornly believing Pecksniff to be a model of Christian virtue and architectural genius. He delights in simple pleasures, frequently playing the local church organ for free and writing affectionate letters to his sister working in London. His naive optimism and absolute loyalty make him universally beloved in the village.

Jonas is Anthony Chuzzlewit's ruthless, impatient son. Having thoroughly absorbed his father's harsh lessons on the absolute supremacy of wealth, he openly resents his father's continued existence, viewing the old man merely as the final barrier to his inheritance. He treats all relationships, including courtship and eventual marriage, purely as financial transactions. He operates with a callous, aggressive demeanor, frequently mocking those he perceives as weak or sentimental.

Mark is a cheerful, endlessly energetic employee at the Blue Dragon inn who actively seeks out miserable situations to test his own optimism. He believes his current job under a kind landlady is far too easy to give his good humor any real credit, prompting him to look for harder, bleaker conditions elsewhere. He frequently assists travelers and locals alike, maintaining a philosophy that true character is only proven when circumstances are dire.

Anthony is the grim, miserly brother of Martin Chuzzlewit Sr. who shares the family trait of hoarding wealth. He has deliberately raised his son, Jonas, to prioritize money above all other human concerns, viewing sentimentality as a weakness. He takes immense pride in his son's ruthless business acumen, hoarding his wealth in London while remaining constantly alert to the schemes of his extended relatives.

Charity is the elder of Seth Pecksniff's two daughters, commonly known by the nickname 'Cherry.' She initially presents herself as the practical, sensible sister, though she fully shares her father's hypocritical worldview and sharp calculations. She views her younger sister as a direct rival for advantageous marriages, maintaining a competitive and increasingly bitter relationship with her.

Mercy is the younger Pecksniff daughter, known to her family as 'Merry.' She maintains a highly playful, outwardly frivolous demeanor, treating life, courtship, and marriage as entertaining games. She frequently uses her cheerful disposition to needle her older sister, delighted whenever she can steal the attention of a prospective suitor.

Mary is a quiet, observant orphan employed as Martin Chuzzlewit Sr.'s nursemaid and traveling companion. Because her modest salary is explicitly tied to the old man's continued life, he trusts her far more than his own blood relatives. She handles her difficult, suspicious employer with genuine care and quiet dignity, refusing to be drawn into the frantic scheming of the extended family.

John is a former architectural pupil of Seth Pecksniff who recently came into an independent inheritance. Having seen through his master's hypocritical practices and fraudulent teaching methods, he severs ties with the apprenticeship in a highly vocal confrontation. He attempts to warn his naive friend Tom Pinch about Pecksniff's true nature before relocating to London.

Ruth is Tom Pinch's younger sister, who works as a governess for a wealthy, highly abusive family in London. Despite her difficult living circumstances and the constant, degrading mistreatment she receives from her employers, she remains elegant, kind-hearted, and deeply devoted to her brother. She relies on his frequent letters for emotional support.

Montague is a fast-talking, disreputable associate of the extended Chuzzlewit family. He frequently leverages his slight connection to the family to borrow money, evade creditors, and avoid paying bills, carrying himself with a theatrical, unearned swagger. He acts as the vocal negotiator for his sullen friend Chevy Slyme.

Mrs. Lupin is the warm-hearted, widowed landlady of the Blue Dragon inn in Wiltshire. She runs her establishment with efficiency and cares deeply for the well-being of her guests and staff, maintaining order with a maternal touch.

Chevy is a distant cousin of the Chuzzlewit family who constantly sulks over his lack of funds. He relies entirely on his friend Montague Tigg to negotiate loans and navigate his frequent financial embarrassments, feeling highly entitled to his relatives' wealth.

Mrs. Todgers is the overworked landlady of a crowded commercial boarding house in London. An old friend of Seth Pecksniff, she manages a chaotic household of male boarders while maintaining a highly sentimental outlook on life.

Chuffey is Anthony Chuzzlewit's elderly clerk and devoted companion. He rarely interacts with anyone other than Anthony, showing intense loyalty to his master while enduring frequent, cruel mockery from Jonas.

Augustus is a highly emotional young boarder at Mrs. Todgers's establishment. He quickly becomes infatuated with Mercy Pecksniff, frequently falling into bouts of deep melancholy over romantic disappointments and perceived slights.

Mrs. Gamp is a disorderly, frequently intoxicated nurse and caretaker. She works interchangeably as a midwife, sick-nurse, and layer-out of the dead, known for her enormous appetite and her habit of quoting an allegedly fictional friend named Mrs. Harris.

Mr. Mould is a London undertaker who takes great professional satisfaction in his work. He views funerals purely as lucrative business opportunities while projecting an air of solemn respectability to his clients.