The Huntress, whose given name is Lorelei Vogt, is a former mistress of a prominent Nazi SS guard. She operates as a ruthless killer who views murder as a sport, targeting prisoners of war and civilians by a tranquil lake in Poland. Known for her delicate, feminine appearance and her ability to disguise herself effortlessly, she becomes the primary target of an international postwar pursuit.

Anneliese is a quiet, dainty Austrian widow who arrives in Boston shortly after the war. She presents herself as a gentle, traditional woman seeking a fresh start and stability in America. Her courteous demeanor charms the McBride family, though she occasionally displays flashes of a crueler nature that raise quiet suspicions.

Ian is a British war correspondent who transitions into tracking down escaped Nazi war criminals. He leads an ascetic life focused entirely on his pursuit, driven by a deep sense of loyalty and a need to balance the scales. A talented violin player, he uses his sharp investigative skills to locate fugitives that official courts overlook.

Nina is a fierce, instinctive Soviet pilot from Siberia who joins an all-female bomber regiment during the war. She responds to childhood trauma by dedicating herself to aviation, seeking the freedom of the sky over the terrors of water. She approaches conflicts with aggression and refuses to conform to traditional expectations of domesticity.

Jordan is an American teenager and aspiring photographer who works in her family's antiques shop. She idolizes famous photojournalists and views her camera as a tool for capturing the unvarnished truth. She struggles against the restrictive postwar expectations placed on young women, desiring an adventurous career over a traditional marriage.

Tony is an American investigator raised in Queens who assists Ian in tracking fugitives. He is a polyglot whose fluency in multiple European languages allows him to gather information seamlessly. Charming and sociable, he uses his conversational skills to disarm witnesses and gain access to closed communities.

Daniel is an antiques dealer and widowed father living in Boston. He values traditional family structures and wishes for his daughter to inherit his business and marry locally. He is reserved and prefers to avoid conflict, leading him to ignore warning signs about his new household.

Yelena is an educated, elegant pilot from Moscow who serves in the Soviet Night Bomber Regiment. She approaches aviation scientifically and maintains strict loyalty to the Soviet state. While she forms a deep bond with Nina, she ultimately desires a peaceful, domestic life once the conflict ends.

Ruth is a traumatized, near-silent young girl who presents as Anneliese Weber's daughter. She exhibits extreme reserve around strangers and a deep fear of sudden violence. She possesses a natural affinity for violin music, which slowly helps her build trust with others.

Garrett is an all-American youth from a respectable Boston family. He represents the standard postwar ideal of a sensible, stabilizing marriage partner. He cares for Jordan but gradually realizes they have entirely different ambitions for their lives.

Sebastian is Ian's younger brother and a British prisoner of war. He possesses an innocent, trusting nature and learns Russian from fellow prisoners. His encounter with Soviet pilot Nina Markova offers him a brief chance at survival in hostile territory.

Marina is a historically famous Soviet aviatrix who recruits and leads an all-female aviation regiment. She commands immense respect from her pilots and demands strict discipline and bravery from her recruits.

Boris is Nina's alcoholic father who lives in the wilds of Siberia. He harbors strong anti-Stalinist sentiments that eventually draw the attention of Soviet authorities. His abusive behavior instills a harsh survival instinct in his daughter.

Gretchen is an Austrian woman and the mother of the fugitive Lorelei Vogt. She accepts bribes in exchange for information and inadvertently provides Ian's team with crucial leads regarding her daughter's whereabouts.

Mr. Kolb, whose real name is Gerhardt Schlitterbahn, is an expert forger who previously cataloged stolen books for the Nazi regime. He works under Anneliese in Boston, functioning out of fear of her rather than loyalty.

Vladimir is Nina's early boyfriend who is quickly recruited to fight when war is declared between the Soviet Union and Germany. His departure leaves Nina determined to seek her own path to the front lines.

Galina is a young Soviet airwoman who flies with Nina on dangerous bombing missions. She accompanies Nina on a particularly terrifying flight over water, proving her mettle in the air.

Zoya is a navigator from the Soviet bomber regiment who eventually shares a domestic life and raises children with Yelena in Moscow after the war.

Donald is an American G.I. whose gruesome death during a parachute jump leaves a lasting psychological scar on Ian, contributing to Ian's severe fear of heights.