Chona is a Jewish woman who survived childhood polio, leaving her with a noticeable limp. She runs the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Chicken Hill. Outspoken and deeply principled, she refuses her husband's requests to move to a wealthier, white area because she views serving her diverse community as an essential part of her faith. Her fierce dedication to justice places her at odds with the town's prejudiced white leadership.

Moshe is a Romanian Jewish immigrant who manages the local theater and frequently worries about finances and social standing. He builds his wealth by integrating his theater, inviting Black musicians and audiences despite local white backlash. Though he loves his wife Chona deeply, his mild-mannered and anxious personality often clashes with her confrontational approach to social justice.

Dodo is a 12-year-old Black boy who lost his hearing when a stove exploded in his childhood. When the state attempts to commit him to a sanatorium, he goes into hiding in the basement of the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. Though initially withdrawn, he is highly observant, generous, and courageous, finding ways to communicate without sound.

Nate is Moshe's indispensable helper at the theater and Dodo's uncle. He presents a stoic, quiet exterior to the world, maintaining a low profile to survive in a deeply prejudiced society. However, this calm demeanor conceals a violent, secretive past in Hemlock Row, and threats against his family risk resurfacing the dangerous man he used to be.

Doc Roberts is Pottstown's local physician and an active member of the Ku Klux Klan. Having survived childhood polio, he was left with a physical impairment that feeds his deep-seated bitterness and need for superiority. He uses his medical authority and social connections to enforce racial hierarchies and aggressively pursues the institutionalization of Dodo.

Addie is a grounded, perceptive older Black woman who works closely with Chona at the grocery store. She functions as a voice of reason in her community and is fiercely loyal to those she loves. Her enduring affection for her husband Nate helps keep his darker instincts in check.

Isaac is Moshe's wealthy cousin, an accomplished businessman who owns theaters in Philadelphia. Hardened by their traumatic childhood escape from Eastern Europe, Isaac views the world pragmatically and prefers to solve problems using money and behind-the-scenes influence.

Monkey Pants is a young white boy with cerebral palsy living in the horrific conditions of a state sanatorium. Despite his physical limitations and the cruelty surrounding him, he understands the unwritten rules of survival in the ward and readily shares his knowledge and meager possessions with new arrivals.

Paper functions as the primary news-bringer and gossip hub for Chicken Hill's Black community. Because marginalized residents rely on information to stay safe from hostile authorities, her extensive network of connections makes her an invaluable, highly respected community resource.

Fatty is a stout, clever hustler who owns Chicken Hill's only jook joint. Having previously served time in Graterford Prison, he focuses entirely on survival and profit, actively avoiding situations that might draw police attention.

Malachi is an eccentric, stout Jewish dancer and amateur baker. He possesses a fervent, almost magical enthusiasm for life and displays deep spiritual convictions, frequently arriving precisely when his community needs a sense of hope.

A tall, imposing Black attendant at Pennhurst State Hospital characterized by a noticeable scar on his forehead. He leverages his unchecked authority in the overcrowded, understaffed ward to abuse and terrorize the vulnerable patients in his care.

Bernice is a mother of eight who lives next door to the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. She grew up as Chona's closest friend before racial prejudice in their schooling drove them apart. Despite this estrangement, she remains quietly loyal to their shared neighborhood history.

Miggy is a perceptive woman who lives in the insular settlement of Hemlock Row and works as a cleaner at Pennhurst. She possesses critical insider knowledge about the horrific conditions at the hospital and the layout of its underground tunnels.

Big Soap is a Sicilian immigrant and Fatty Davis's reliable muscle and best friend. Despite occasional physical altercations between the two, he is unfailingly loyal and assists Fatty with underground plumbing schemes and community defense.

Gus is the chairman of Pottstown's city council and the owner of the local dairy factory. He operates within a web of municipal corruption, secretly stealing town water while dealing with heavy debts owed to organized crime figures in Philadelphia.

Marvin is one of two Lithuanian Jewish twins who make highly sought-after custom shoes in Pottstown. He uses his trade to build connections and quietly gather valuable information about the corrupt white leadership of the town.

Chona's late father and a Bulgarian immigrant who originally founded the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. He established the store's inclusive ethos, viewing his Black neighbors as fellow immigrants who shared the struggle for survival in America.

The late father of Bernice and Fatty Davis. An exceptionally talented builder, he was hired by the local Jewish community to construct their synagogue and grocery store after white contractors refused or failed to do the work.

Reverend Spriggs is a local community leader whose outward respectability masks deep hypocrisy and antisemitism. He frequently gossips about the Jewish residents of Chicken Hill while benefiting from their businesses.