Malcolm is an 11-year-old boy who lives on the banks of the River Thames near Oxford. He works at his parents' inn and frequently helps the nuns at the neighboring Godstow Priory. Naturally curious and observant, he notices the strange political and religious tensions brewing around him. He is highly protective of his friends and fiercely devoted to baby Lyra.

Alice is a 16-year-old girl who works in the kitchen at the Trout inn. Skinny and often scowling, she masks her deep-seated insecurities with a hostile, sneering attitude, especially toward Malcolm. Underneath her prickly exterior, she longs for validation and struggles with the adult realities of her environment.

Gerard Bonneville is a former scientist who studied the mysterious Rusakov field before a disgrace stripped him of his position. He travels with a terrifying, three-legged hyena dæmon. Though he can appear charming and polite, his presence causes instinctual dread in the adults around him. He seeks to locate baby Lyra to bargain his way back into academic standing.

Dr. Hannah Relf is an Oxford scholar specializing in reading the alethiometer, a rare truth-telling device. While officially studying the instrument's symbols for academia, she secretly uses it to gather intelligence for Oakley Street, an underground organization resisting the authoritarian Church. She balances her intellectual pursuits with the practical dangers of political espionage.

Lyra is the six-month-old daughter of the explorer Lord Asriel and the influential Mrs. Coulter. Housed in secret at the Godstow Priory, she quickly enchants the nuns and visitors with her vibrant energy. She is the subject of a mysterious witches' prophecy, making her a target for both the Magisterium and underground resistance groups.

Sister Fenella is an elderly, frail nun living at the Godstow Priory across the river from the Trout. She cares for baby Lyra and treats Malcolm with unconditional kindness, answering his many questions without judgment. She represents a gentle, tolerant form of faith that contrasts with the ruling Church's aggression.

Lord Asriel is a famous explorer and the father of baby Lyra. Following a violent scandal involving Lyra's mother, he lost much of his fortune and social standing. He is an intense, commanding figure who operates outside the law to check on his daughter while dodging pursuit from religious authorities.

Mrs. Coulter is an elegant, intimidating woman who commands the League of St. Alexander, a youth organization aligned with the authoritarian Church. She is Lyra's mother but initially showed no interest in the child until learning of a significant prophecy. She travels with a golden monkey dæmon that unnerves those around her.

Coram van Texel is a resourceful gyptian man who gathers intelligence for the resistance group Oakley Street. Living a nomadic lifestyle on the water, he serves as a vital messenger and scout. He moves quietly between academic circles and working-class communities to track the growing threats against his people and allies.

Lord Nugent is the former lord chancellor of England who governed during a more secular, liberal era. He now directs Oakley Street, a covert organization working to protect democratic freedoms from the encroaching, authoritarian Magisterium. He relies on a network of spies to monitor the Church's movements.

George Papadimitriou is a professor of Byzantine history at Jordan College and a senior member of Oakley Street. He serves as the primary recruiter and handler for Dr. Hannah Relf, bridging the gap between academic research and underground political resistance.

Dr. Adnan Al-Kaisy is the deputy leader of Oakley Street. He works alongside Lord Nugent and George Papadimitriou to defend freedom of expression from the Magisterium. He is a pragmatic intellectual who recognizes the necessity of using secretive methods to fight an oppressive regime.

Asta is Malcolm Polstead's dæmon, the animal-shaped outward manifestation of his soul. Because Malcolm is a child, Asta can change her shape at will, frequently appearing as a kingfisher, squirrel, or ladybug to help Malcolm investigate his surroundings. She shares his protective nature and acts as a second set of eyes and ears.

Pantalaimon is baby Lyra's dæmon. As an infant's soul-companion, he is incredibly small and frequently changes into forms like a mole or a chick. He relies entirely on his surroundings for safety and responds instinctually to Lyra's needs and moods.

Sister Benedicta is a senior nun at the Godstow Priory. She is a strong-willed, protective figure who refuses to let Church authorities bully her or the other sisters. She takes practical measures, like installing heavy window shutters, to ensure the safety of the priory's vulnerable residents.

Eric is a schoolmate of Malcolm's and the son of the county court's clerk. He is notoriously chatty and frequently shares local gossip and secret information with Malcolm. He eventually joins the League of St. Alexander, complicating their friendship as the political climate at their school shifts.

George Boatwright is a patron of the Trout inn who publicly stands up to the Consistorial Court of Discipline when they attempt to intimidate the locals. Following his outburst, he vanishes to avoid arrest, forced to live in hiding in the nearby woods.

Miss Carmichael is a representative for the League of St. Alexander, an organization aligned with the Magisterium. She visits Malcolm's school to recruit children to inform on their families and teachers, using religious rhetoric to encourage surveillance and enforce absolute ideological conformity.

Mr. Polstead is Malcolm's father and the owner of the Trout inn. He works hard to manage the diverse patrons that visit his establishment while trying to keep his family safe from the growing political tension in Oxford.

Mrs. Polstead is Malcolm's mother, overseeing the hectic daily operations of the Trout inn. She is a practical, hardworking woman who expects Malcolm to contribute to the family business but provides him with a warm, comfortable home.

Sister Katarina is a young, nervous nun residing at the Godstow Priory. Her youth and vulnerability make her a target for Gerard Bonneville, who uses a romantic connection with her to gain secret access to the priory grounds.

Jesper is Dr. Hannah Relf's dæmon, taking the settled form of a marmoset. He shares Hannah's intellectual curiosity and assists her in the complex, secret task of reading the alethiometer.

Ben is Alice Parslow's dæmon. Much like Alice, he is serious and unplayful, reflecting her hardened exterior and the difficult realities she faces as a working-class teenager.

Sophonax is Coram van Texel's dæmon, taking the form of a beautiful, long-haired cat. She is highly perceptive, acting as an early warning system for Coram during his dangerous espionage missions.