Prince Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhlyudov is a wealthy Russian nobleman who has settled into a comfortable, socially advantageous life. While serving on a jury, he realizes the defendant is a woman he seduced and abandoned years earlier. This encounter forces him to evaluate his inherited wealth, his idle lifestyle, and the systemic cruelty of the Russian state. He sets out to intervene in her legal case and attempts to change his own life.

Katerina Mikhailovna Maslova is a former servant who turned to sex work after being fired due to an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. She is currently on trial, falsely accused of stealing from and poisoning a wealthy merchant. Years of exploitation have left her cynical and heavily reliant on alcohol to cope with her degradation. She views the world as driven entirely by self-interest and meets Nekhlyudov's sudden reappearance with deep suspicion.

Vladimir Simonson is an idealistic political prisoner traveling in the convoy to Siberia. He operates by strict personal rules and rejects his family's dishonest wealth. He treats other prisoners with equality and forms a quiet connection with Katerina based on mutual respect rather than judgment.

Miss Mencshova and Miss Mikhaylova are unmarried noblewomen who live on a country estate. They rescued Katerina from neglect when she was an infant and raised her. They treated her affectionately but never fully accepted her as family, leaving her vulnerable when she became pregnant by their nephew.

Maria Pavlovna is a noblewoman turned revolutionary who is imprisoned for her political actions. She is a practical, steady presence among the convicts, rejecting personal vanity in favor of service. She frequently gives up her own comforts to assist pregnant women, children, and the sick within the prison system.

Missy is a well-connected noblewoman in Petersburg high society. Her mother intends for her to marry Nekhlyudov, and Missy expects the match to occur. She notices Nekhlyudov's growing emotional distance and feels hurt when he refuses to participate in their usual social rituals.

Natalia is Nekhlyudov's sister. Though they were close in their youth, she has aligned herself with her politically ambitious husband, Ragozhinsky. She is deeply disturbed by her brother's decision to dismantle his estate and associate with convicts.

Ragozhinsky is Natalia's husband and a defender of the established state order. He views Nekhlyudov's radical actions as irresponsible and actively debates him on the necessity of the legal system and inherited privilege.

Simon Kartinkin is a hotel worker accused of poisoning the merchant Smelkov and stealing his money. During the trial, he denies his guilt and attempts to place the entire blame onto Katerina.

Yevfimia Bochkova is a hotel worker charged with theft and murder. Despite having deposited a large sum of money into the bank shortly after the crime, she denies any involvement and taunts Katerina in the holding cells.

Fedosia is a kind-hearted prisoner who was jailed for attempting to poison her husband. She shares her meager resources with Katerina and displays a nurturing demeanor toward the other women.

Taras is Fedosia's husband. After surviving her attempt to poison him, he forgives her and dedicates himself to following her convoy, determined to preserve their marriage.

Korablyova is an older woman in the prison cell who was accused of killing her husband. She acts as a stern matriarch among the inmates, managing conflicts and sharing provisions.

Fanarin is a well-known and expensive lawyer in the city. He identifies several procedural errors in Katerina's trial and agrees to petition the Senate, though he is cynical about the justice system.

Kryltsov is a passionate revolutionary who suffers from terminal tuberculosis. Originally arrested for a minor offense, witnessing the execution of two young prisoners solidified his dedication to the cause. He speaks openly with Nekhlyudov about the abuses they observe.

Maslennikov is an acting governor and a former military acquaintance of Nekhlyudov. He maintains a veneer of benevolent authority but relies on his subordinates and deflects blame when confronted with the brutal realities of the prison he oversees.

Selenin is a prosecutor and a former close friend of Nekhlyudov. Over the years, his desire to avoid conflict has led him to conform to bureaucratic norms and hollow religious displays, severing the ideological bond he once shared with Nekhlyudov.