An idealistic American expatriate who moves to Paris following a whirlwind transatlantic romance. She quickly discovers that her glamorous expectations of French life clash with the harsh realities of an impending war and a deteriorating marriage. Feeling isolated as an immigrant, she searches for purpose and agency as the conflict escalates around her.

A young French Jewish girl who lives next door to Ruby. She is forced to mature rapidly as she experiences rising antisemitism and bullying at school. Her keen awareness of the danger her family faces stands in direct contrast to her father's stubborn optimism. She actively seeks ways to fight back against oppression.

A young British man learning to fly fighter planes for the military. He struggles with profound loneliness following the sudden loss of his mother in a bombing raid. His military service eventually exposes him to the hidden civilian networks operating across Europe, fundamentally changing his perspective on bravery and duty.

A capable teenager who creates falsified paperwork for those targeted by the occupation forces. He inherited his subversive trade from his father. He understands the severe risks of his work and carries it out with pragmatic efficiency, believing in empowering others to fight back rather than shielding them from reality.

A resilient Russian woman whose name translates to "hope." She possesses an unyielding commitment to resisting oppression and continues to fight back even under the most restrictive conditions. She willingly shares her meager resources to ensure the survival of those more vulnerable than herself.

A charismatic French citizen who brings his new American wife to his spacious Paris apartment. A childhood limp prevents him from enlisting in the regular army, fueling his frustration. He funnels his patriotism into secretive, illegal activities that create a widening gulf between him and his wife.

A proud French Jewish man living in the same apartment building as Marcel and Ruby. He stubbornly believes that his family's French citizenship will shield them from the rising tide of antisemitic laws and violence, leading him to ignore the warnings of those around him.

Charlotte's mother, who takes a realistic view of the mounting dangers facing Jewish citizens in Paris. Recognizing the threat that her husband refuses to acknowledge, she quietly makes contingency plans to ensure her daughter's safety if the worst occurs.

A friend of Marcel who operates under the code name Philippe. He coordinates clandestine activities in Paris and acts as a cautious gatekeeper, initially reluctant to let inexperienced volunteers join his perilous network.

An optimistic Royal Air Force pilot training in the English countryside. He offers vital camaraderie and shares important information about European escape routes with his fellow airmen.

A German factory manager who oversees a group of workers assembling munitions. Appalled by the cruelty of his peers, he quietly uses his authority to improve conditions for the women under his supervision and actively aids their subversive efforts.

An efficient operative working within the Parisian escape network. She delivers precise orders for moving refugees and readily defends the inclusion of capable new volunteers in their ranks.

An Allied pilot who crash-lands in France and follows a hidden trail to Paris. His sudden need for medical attention exposes the reality of the secret war to those sheltering him.

A rural French farmer who participates in the resistance by hiding Allied personnel on his property. He represents the countless ordinary citizens taking immense risks to undermine the occupation.

An American pilot forced down over Europe. He bonds with his host over their shared homeland and brings urgent news of street-level commotion while seeking safety.