America is a 17-year-old from the province of Carolina, originally born into the artistic Caste Five before being elevated to Caste Three during the Selection. She plays the piano and violin, retaining calluses on her fingers as a mark of her musical background. As one of the final six Elite girls, she is fiercely protective of her friends and holds strong opinions about the injustices of the caste system. She experiences deep internal conflict over her lingering attachment to her childhood love and her growing feelings for the prince.

Maxon is the crown prince of Illéa and the object of the Selection competition. He is blond, handsome, and carries the heavy responsibility of his future rule while facing the constant threat of rebel attacks. Though he presents a formal, polished exterior to the public, he demonstrates a quiet humor and genuine desire to be a fair ruler in his private moments. He works quietly behind the scenes to help those he cares about.

Aspen is a palace guard who previously worked as a Caste Six in Carolina to support his widowed mother and six siblings. He has dark hair, green eyes, and a newly muscular physique from his military training. He retains a deep attachment to America and actively seeks to rebuild the bond they shared before she entered the Selection.

King Clarkson is the cold and controlling ruler of Illéa. He dictates the terms of the Selection and places immense pressure on his son to conform to his expectations. He operates with strict authority, hoarding historical secrets, and harbors little patience for dissent or perceived weakness.

Marlee is a warm, sunny member of the Elite and America's closest friend in the competition. She is honest and kind, lacking the aggressive ambition seen in some of the other contestants. She guards a dangerous secret that places her at odds with the strict rules of the palace.

Kriss is an intelligent and sweet-tempered competitor in the Elite. She exhibits the decorum and warmth expected of a future queen, making her a strong candidate in the competition. She develops a close bond with Maxon and is straightforward about her feelings for him, representing a more traditional path for the monarchy.

Celeste is a Caste Two model and a highly competitive member of the Elite. She is ambitious, manipulative, and willing to hurt the other girls to secure her position. She represents the entitlement of the upper castes and serves as a direct antagonist to America within the competition.

Queen Amberly is the current queen of Illéa, known for her regal presence, beauty, and calm manner. She serves as the ideal model of a royal consort for the competing girls. She exhibits a quiet moral compass and maintains strict adherence to palace decorum.

Natalie is one of the six remaining girls in the Elite. She often seems dreamy, uninformed, and less engaged in the political realities of Illéa than her peers.

Elise is a restrained and dignified member of the Elite whose family has ties to New Asia. She is highly aware of the political tensions surrounding the competition and focuses on strategic alliances to improve her standing.

Carter is a guard stationed at the royal palace in Angeles. He performs his duties within the strict rules of the royal court while harboring a dangerous secret that threatens his position.

Anne is one of America's three personal maids at the palace. She is professional, highly skilled at her duties, and acts as a steadying presence who advises America on ladylike behavior while longing for opportunities beyond her caste.

Mary serves as one of America's dedicated maids. She is supportive and fiercely loyal to America, helping her manage the daily requirements of the Selection while harboring her own hopes for a better future.

Lucy is a sensitive maid who was sold to the palace after a previous employer's son fell in love with her. She struggles with her position, feeling trapped by her caste, but finds a fierce protector in America.

Silvia is the strict but effective woman who oversees the Elite girls and their etiquette training. She instructs them on protocol, hosting duties, and how to project a royal image to the public.

May is America's lively, bubbly younger sister. She is thrilled by the glamour of the palace and remains one of America's closest confidantes within her family.

Kota is America's older brother, a successful sculptor. He previously distanced himself from the family but attempts to use America's new royal connections to advance his own social standing.

Gregory Illéa is the historical founder of the country of Illéa, who rose to power after the Fourth World War. His private diary reveals the ambitious and calculated decisions he made in establishing the nation's rigid caste system.

America's father is a perceptive Caste Five artist who encourages his daughter's strong moral compass. He critically evaluates life in Illéa and provides America with unconditional support and advice, helping her see beyond the palace's polished exterior.

America's mother is a musician who places high value on social image and advancement. She is highly focused on America's success in the Selection and the potential benefits it brings their family, causing occasional friction with her daughter.

Gavril is the charismatic television reporter who conducts public interviews with the Elite. He moderates the national broadcasts and shapes the public narrative surrounding the Selection for the citizens of Illéa.

Kenna is America's older, married sister. America looks up to her, though she is physically separated from the family's current struggles.

Gerard is America's youngest brother. He remains at home with his parents in Carolina while America participates in the Selection.