The Mayor is the self-serving, paranoid head of governance in an unnamed provincial Russian town. He embodies the low-level bureaucratic decay of the community, routinely using his position for personal enrichment and bullying local shopkeepers. Upon hearing that a government inspector has arrived in disguise, he desperately seeks to charm and bribe the man to protect his comfortable status quo.

Khlestakov is a 23-year-old, low-ranking government clerk from St. Petersburg who frequently squanders his allowance on gambling. Mistaken for a powerful government inspector by the town's paranoid officials, he is highly entitled and quick to lean into his newfound status. Driven by delusion and a desire for luxury, he spins increasingly absurd lies about his lavish lifestyle in the capital.

Anna is the Mayor's vain and deluded wife. She feels entitled to a higher social standing and frequently spars with her daughter over petty matters of fashion and male attention. Readily charmed by Khlestakov, she uses his presence to validate her own self-importance and dreams of moving to high society in St. Petersburg.

Osip is Khlestakov's pragmatic and world-weary servant. Unlike the rural civic leaders, he possesses urban street smarts and quickly grasps the dangerous reality of their situation. Though willing to accept his own share of bribes and food, he serves as the practical voice of reason for his irresponsible master.

Maria is the Mayor's daughter, a young provincial woman who frequently clashes with her vain mother. She becomes an object of Khlestakov's impulsive affections, though she is somewhat naive about his true nature and intentions. She eagerly accepts his romantic overtures, envisioning a more exciting life for herself.

The Judge is a corrupt civic leader who allows his courthouse staff to raise geese in government buildings. Unconcerned with justice or legal procedure, he happily accepts bribes in the form of Borzoi puppies and spends his time hunting rather than upholding the law.

The Postmaster is an incurious but nosy official who routinely opens and reads the townspeople's mail for his own entertainment. He readily agrees to the Mayor's request to intercept letters seeking information about the visiting inspector.

The Warden of Charities oversees the town's social institutions, notably a hospital where patients are neglected to save money on medicine. He is quick to betray his fellow civic leaders, eagerly gossiping about their misdeeds to deflect attention from himself.

A nervous and trembling civic leader tasked with overseeing the town's education system. He is incredibly anxious about the inspector's arrival and is easily intimidated by any mention of authority.

A local landowning sibling who, along with his constant companion Bobchinsky, serves as the town's primary gossip. He is prone to wild digressions and seeks the inspector's help to legitimize a son born out of wedlock.

A local landowner and busybody who mirrors Dobchinsky's frantic energy. Eager for social recognition, he humbly asks Khlestakov to mention his name to the important people in St. Petersburg.

The local doctor who works alongside the Warden of Charities. He is complicit in the terrible medical care provided to the town's citizens, operating under a policy of letting nature take its course to save money on expensive treatments.

The head of local law enforcement who aids the Mayor in a frantic, superficial cleanup of the town's neglected streets before the inspector arrives.

A local police constable who helps enforce the Mayor's corrupt rule. He is specifically tasked with keeping complaining shopkeepers and local citizens away from the visiting inspector.

A local police constable who assists in managing the town's outward appearance and guarding Khlestakov's door from petitioners.

A friend and confidant of Khlestakov living in St. Petersburg. He is a writer to whom Khlestakov pens letters detailing his misadventures and mocking the provincial townspeople.

A servant in the Mayor's household who assists with the hasty preparations to host the supposed government inspector, acting on the frantic orders of his employers.

A local shopkeeper whose refusal to provide free goods to the Mayor fuels the official's paranoia about a conspiracy among the merchants. He represents the aggrieved citizens who suffer under the town's corrupt leadership.

A local citizen who attends social gatherings at the Mayor's house. He observes the town's reaction to the government inspector's actions with a cynical eye.