Aman Khan is a 14-year-old Afghan refugee who lives in Manchester, England. A talented soccer player and an excellent student with a keen mind for mathematics, he considers England his true home. Originally from Bamiyan, Afghanistan, he grew up among the persecuted Hazara people before fleeing with his mother. He demonstrates deep emotional intelligence and loyalty to his loved ones.

Matt is a 14-year-old boy from Manchester and Aman Khan's best friend. He shares Aman's passion for soccer and Monopoly, spending his summer vacation visiting his grandfather in Cambridge. Deeply loyal and observant, Matt recognizes the injustice of his friend's situation and actively pushes his grandfather to intervene.

Matt's grandfather is a retired journalist living in Cambridge. Following the death of his beloved wife, he experiences a period of grief and self-doubt, finding comfort in walking his old spaniel, Dog, and spending time with Matt. He possesses a strong moral compass and a lingering journalistic curiosity that awakens when he learns of Aman's situation.

Sergeant Brodie is an English military officer deployed in Afghanistan. He works closely with military working dogs to locate hidden explosives and keep soldiers and civilians safe. He treats locals with respect and forms a quick connection with Aman, recognizing the boy's bravery during a tense encounter on the road.

Shadow, originally named Polly, is a brown-and-white Springer spaniel. Initially feared and chased away by the locals due to cultural stigmas against dogs, she possesses a gentle nature, high intelligence, and unwavering loyalty. She bonds closely with Aman and proves highly protective of him and his mother.

Aman's mother is a resilient Hazara woman who has endured immense trauma, including imprisonment and the loss of her husband. She suffers from severe panic attacks linked to her past experiences but remains fiercely determined to protect her son. She relies on Aman for translation and emotional support in their new life in England.

Uncle Mir is Aman's uncle who runs a taxi business in Manchester, England. A devoted Manchester United fan, he moved to the United Kingdom as a young man and married an Englishwoman. He serves as a lifeline for his relatives, offering them financial support and a place to live when they flee their home.

Dog is Grandpa's aging spaniel. Matt gave him his simple name when he was a young child. Dog serves as a comforting, steady presence for both Grandpa and Matt, accompanying them on morning river walks and providing emotional support.

Aman's grandmother is an elderly Hazara woman whose physical limitations make travel impossible. She hoards her jewelry despite her family's extreme poverty, secretly saving the wealth to eventually fund their escape from the Taliban, showing her deep foresight and self-sacrifice.

Aman's father is a former farmer and businessman who works as an interpreter for the American armed forces due to his English skills. His decision to help the Americans brings temporary prosperity but ultimately marks him as a target for the Taliban.

Matt's late grandmother is remembered for her philanthropy and compassion. During her life, she regularly visited detainees at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre to bring them cheer, leaving a moral legacy that eventually inspires her husband to do the same.

Ahmed is a young Pakistani boy whose family is fleeing to the West. Friendly and eager for connection, he shares his prized red toy train with Aman. He represents the innocence of migrant children caught in harsh, unforgiving conditions.

Mina is an Englishwoman and the wife of Uncle Mir. She welcomes Aman and his mother to Manchester and worries about her husband's fragile health when he pushes himself too hard.

Jess is Sergeant Brodie's young daughter in England. She loves her father's working dog and considers Aman a hero for keeping the dog safe in Afghanistan.

Dan Smart is a local boy in Manchester who targets Aman for bullying before Matt steps in to defend his new friend.

Flat Stanley is a member of Aman's Manchester soccer team. He joins his teammates in holding a banner and chanting to support Aman during the public protest.

Samir is one of Aman's teammates on the school soccer squad who actively participates in the public demonstration for Aman's release.

Corporal Banford is a British soldier who served in Sergeant Brodie's unit and was killed during the same firefight where their explosive-detection dog went missing.