Prince Fabrizio is the head of the Salina family, a large, imposing nobleman whose fair features reflect his German ancestry. Living during the Italian unification movement in 1860, he spends his time managing his vast estates, pursuing his passion for astronomy, and observing the decline of his aristocratic class. He balances his traditional, authoritarian temperament with a quiet pragmatism about the political upheaval around him.

Tancredi is the ambitious, charismatic 21-year-old nephew of Prince Fabrizio. Left destitute after his father squandered the family fortune, he becomes his uncle's ward and favorite. He embraces the revolutionary movement for Italian unification, combining dashing military exploits with a pragmatic approach to securing his own future in the changing social hierarchy.

Calogero Sedàra is the newly elected Mayor of Donnafugata and a representative of the rising middle class. Having amassed wealth through land sales and grain profits, his financial power begins to rival that of the traditional nobility. Though he lacks the refined etiquette of the aristocracy, he possesses a sharp political mind and eagerly pursues the integration of his family into high society.

Father Pirrone is the Jesuit priest attached to the Salina household. Coming from a rural working-class background, he moves through the decadent world of the Sicilian nobility while attempting to maintain his moral and spiritual authority. He acts as a sounding board for the Prince and frequently worries about the threat the new unified state poses to the Catholic Church.

Angelica is the strikingly beautiful daughter of Calogero Sedàra, recently returned from schooling in Florence. She combines her new wealth with careful coaching to mask her provincial background, allowing her to easily captivate the men of the aristocratic class. She pursues her social ascent with confidence and ambition.

Princess Maria Stella is the deeply religious wife of Prince Fabrizio. She maintains the family's strict adherence to Catholic rituals and traditions. Her emotional sensitivity and devotion frequently clash with her husband's authoritarian nature and his late-night trips into the city.

Concetta is Prince Fabrizio's second oldest daughter, known for her proud and reserved Sicilian demeanor. She harbors a deep, quiet affection for her cousin Tancredi, closely watching his actions and political maneuvers. She shares her father's aristocratic stubbornness and views the changing social dynamics with strict moral scrutiny.

Francesco Paolo is the 16-year-old son of Prince Fabrizio and the official heir to the Salina title. He shows little interest in the political turmoil surrounding Italian unification, preferring instead to spend his time with his horses in the stables.

Carolina is one of Prince Fabrizio's daughters. She lives a sheltered, highly religious life within the confines of the Salina household, sharing the family's aristocratic pride and traditional values.

Caterina is another of the Salina daughters, raised in the traditional, devout atmosphere of the Palermo palace. She quietly observes the visits of military officers and guests to the estate.

Giovanni is the son of Prince Fabrizio who has chosen to live far away in London. He maintains a distant relationship with his family, sending only occasional letters back to Sicily.

Don Ciccio is the church organist in Donnafugata and a frequent hunting companion to Prince Fabrizio. He represents the loyal, traditional populace of the rural town, though he privately resents the corruption and manipulation of the new political leaders.

Chevalley is a timid bureaucrat from mainland Italy, serving as the Secretary of the Prefecture. Unaccustomed to Sicilian culture and easily intimidated by the local aristocracy, he attempts to recruit traditional nobles into the new kingdom's Senate.

Count Cavriaghi is a young military officer and friend of Tancredi who serves in King Emmanuel's army. He eagerly courts Concetta during his stay at the Salina estate, though he struggles to understand her reserved nature.

Bendicò is Prince Fabrizio's excitable Great Dane. He serves as a loyal, joyful companion to the Prince during moments of familial tension and political stress, representing a simple, uncomplicated affection in a changing world.

Donna Bastiana is the reclusive wife of Calogero Sedàra and mother of Angelica. Hidden away from society by her husband, she possesses great beauty but lacks the refinement expected of her family's rising status.

Colonel Pallavicino is a military officer known for shooting Garibaldi in the foot during the unification conflicts. He is a charming guest who attends upper-class social events with engaging war stories.

Tassoni is a fellow soldier and close friend of Tancredi. He shares Tancredi's energetic approach to the revolutionary battles and the subsequent socializing, appearing later as an established senator.

Russo is the Prince's agent and a representative of the ascendant Sicilian bourgeoisie. He views the political revolution with optimism, seeing it as an opportunity for personal financial gain and social climbing.

Don Onofrio is the steward of the Salina property in Donnafugata. He takes pride in maintaining the vast palace complex and keeps the Prince informed of local town gossip and political shifts.