Hannah is a light-complexioned enslaved woman who works as a house servant on a Southern plantation. Highly intelligent and deeply religious, she places a strong value on education, covertly teaching herself to read despite severe risks. She serves as both the protagonist and the narrator of her own journey, relying on her faith to survive the brutalities of the slavery system.

The young, newly married female enslaver who takes Hannah on as her personal maid. She appears to live a life of immense luxury and privilege, but her nervous demeanor hides a deep vulnerability. A strange lawyer closely watches her, leaving her trapped in a state of constant anxiety regarding her hidden past.

A demanding and vindictive woman who eventually becomes Hannah's enslaver in Washington D.C. and North Carolina. She behaves much like a petulant, spoiled child, obsessing over her appearance and social standing while hiding her cruelest behavior from her wealthy peers.

A rusty, old-fashioned lawyer who exerts a threatening influence over The Mistress. He operates through extortion and manipulation, using his knowledge of dark secrets to maintain absolute power over those he targets.

A kindly white woman from the North living near the plantation. She quietly opposes the prejudice of the South and risks severe punishment to educate Hannah, introducing the young girl to Christianity and foundational literacy.

An older, impoverished white man who relies heavily on his Christian faith after losing his money to misfortune. He supports his wife's secret efforts to educate Hannah.

The former maid of The Mistress who is well-traveled and places high value on her ancestry. Having experienced both cruelty and kindness throughout her enslavement, she possesses sharp observational skills and acts as a valuable source of information for Hannah.

The head servant on the estate where Hannah grows up. She is highly focused on maintaining appearances and properly managing the other enslaved people for the enslavers' benefit.

A delusional white woman imprisoned for helping an enslaved girl attempt to escape the South. Years of isolation in the jail have broken her mental state, leaving her to falsely believe the prison is a grand palace.

An armed guard hired by Mr. Trappe to transport Hannah and The Mistress to a new, isolated location. He keeps them handcuffed during the journey to prevent any further trouble.

A trader of enslaved people who operates with a peculiar personal moral code. He believes himself to be an honorable businessman, attempting to treat enslaved people with a disturbing semblance of politeness while actively perpetuating a horrific trade.

The mistress of the Forget Me Not estate. Bound by a deathbed promise to her father never to buy or sell enslaved people, she treats the laborers on her property relatively well but remains fully complicit in the system of slavery.

The owner of the Forget Me Not estate. He supports his wife's gentler approach to estate management but ultimately adheres to the legal structures of slavery when challenged by neighboring enslavers.

The young son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry, growing up in the relatively peaceful environment of their plantation.

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry, who briefly interacts with Hannah during her recovery at the estate.

A favored enslaved woman at the Henry estate. Her desperation to protect her self-emancipated husband forces her to make dangerous, illicit decisions that ripple through the peaceful plantation.

Lotty's newlywed husband who has freed himself from a brutal neighboring enslaver. He hides near the Henry estate to remain close to his wife while seeking a permanent escape.

An enslaved man on the Henry estate who loves strong brandy. His superstitious fears and loud reactions inadvertently threaten the safety of those attempting to hide on the grounds.

A ruthless neighboring enslaver who organizes an aggressive hunt to track down William, demonstrating the inescapable reach of slavery's violence even on a peaceful estate.

A plantation owner and politician with the air of a Frenchman. He focuses intensely on securing public office through flattery, completely neglecting the horrific, slum-like conditions of the enslaved people laboring on his properties.

An enslaved woman who serves as Mrs. Wheeler's favorite servant. She deeply resents Hannah's arrival and actively works against her to secure her own precarious status in the household.

An enslaved field laborer chosen by Mrs. Wheeler to be Hannah's forced husband as a form of vindictive punishment, highlighting the lack of bodily autonomy under slavery.

A fiercely loyal enslaved man who freed himself to stay near his sister after she was sold away. He forms a close bond with Hannah while they travel through the dangerous wilderness together.

A cruel historical enslaver whose dark legacy haunts Hannah's first home. His horrific torture of an old enslaved woman resulted in a lingering curse upon his family and the property's linden tree.

The new owner of Hannah's childhood estate. His abusive behavior and exploitation of the enslaved women on his property lead to devastating, violent consequences for his entire household.

An Englishwoman married to Mr. Cosgrove. Her terrifying discoveries about her husband's abuses drive her into violent, destructive rages that harm the most vulnerable people in the house.

An enslaved young mother exploited by Mr. Cosgrove and violently attacked by his furious wife, showcasing the utter lack of safety and autonomy for enslaved women.