Catherine is a 39-year-old litigator living in Chicago and working for the corporate law firm Jenkins & Fairchild. Following an emotional and professional breakdown three years prior, she spends her days handling commercial cases for mega-institutions. She feels deeply unfulfilled by this work and reluctantly agrees to evaluate an elderly man's unusual legal claims at the urging of her best friend.

Ben is an 83-year-old Holocaust survivor living in Chicago. He observes Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, and maintains a profound spiritual connection to his past. Convinced that a prominent local billionaire is actually a former Nazi SS officer in hiding, he seeks legal representation to expose the truth and prevent history from being forgotten.

Elliot is an octogenarian living in a massive mansion in Winnetka, a wealthy Chicago suburb. Known locally as The Great Benefactor, he is a highly respected retired insurance executive and billionaire philanthropist who claims to be a Holocaust survivor. He faces aggressive public accusations from Ben Solomon regarding his true identity and relies on his immense wealth to protect his reputation.

Liam is a 41-year-old private investigator of Irish descent. Physically imposing with a background as a college football tight end, he uses his investigative skills and fluid ethical boundaries to gather hard-to-reach information. He is fiercely loyal to Catherine and consistently pushes her to take on challenging but righteous work.

Abraham is the patriarch of the Solomon family and a highly respected community pillar in 1930s Zamosc. He runs a successful glass factory founded by his grandfather. Pragmatic and optimistic, he struggles to believe the growing reports of anti-Semitism, trusting instead in the fundamental goodness of his neighbors and the rule of law.

Hannah is the daughter of a Jewish physician in Zamosc, Poland. She attends school with Ben Solomon and quickly becomes his childhood sweetheart. Ben remembers her as gentle, light on her feet, and a profound source of comfort as their world grows increasingly dangerous.

Beka is Ben's younger sister, aged 17 at the start of the Nazi occupation of Poland. Strikingly beautiful, she draws unwanted attention from street gangs and later from occupying officers. She relies heavily on her family for protection as their living conditions deteriorate.

Leah is Abraham's wife and the mother of Ben and Beka. She helps provide a warm, affluent upbringing for her children before the war disrupts their lives. She defers to her husband's judgment regarding family safety but remains highly protective of her children.

Elzbieta is a young gentile woman living in Zamosc before the war. She maintains a relationship with an SS officer during their youth. Despite the growing political divide and personal risks, she interacts with the Solomon family and occasionally attempts to assist them.

Lucyna is a 16-year-old Jewish girl swept up in the violent occupation of Poland. Slight and fair-skinned, she crosses paths with Ben during a dangerous rescue mission, becoming a witness to the escalating brutality of the war.

Father Janofski is a Catholic priest who runs a secret operation for the Polish Home Army resistance movement. He uses his church grounds to shelter refugees, forge documents, and coordinate intelligence against the occupying forces.

Adele is an elderly woman living in Chicago. As a friend and neighbor, she acts as the initial bridge connecting Ben's mission to the legal and investigative team he desperately needs.

Jeffers is Elliot Rosenzweig's aggressive and highly connected defense attorney. He uses his vast resources and professional influence within the legal community to intimidate opposing counsel and shield his billionaire client from public scrutiny.

Walter is the senior and founding partner of the law firm Jenkins & Fairchild. He prioritizes the firm's reputation, client list, and commercial stability over pursuing socially risky or emotionally driven litigation.

Dr. Weissbaum is a Jewish physician and Hannah's father. He provides vital medical care to his community, including performing emergency surgeries in makeshift conditions as the war escalates.

Mickey is an older attorney who mentored Catherine at her previous law firm. Their relationship fractured after a significant professional failure led to his suspension, leaving Catherine with lasting guilt regarding her competence.