Aunt Lydia is a powerful Founder Aunt in Gilead, responsible for establishing and maintaining the women’s sphere of the authoritarian nation. Before the regime change, she was a pragmatic family court judge. She projects an image of unwavering piety and strict authority, but secretly despises the system she helped build. She uses her position to gather intelligence, manipulate her rivals, and record the true history of Gilead.

Agnes is a young girl raised in a high-status household in Gilead. She receives a strict education at the Vidala School, where Aunts condition her to fear men and view the female body as dangerous. Following the death of her adoptive mother, she feels increasingly isolated in her own home. To escape a forced marriage to an older Commander, she chooses to become a Supplicant, training to join the ranks of the Aunts.

Raised as an ordinary Canadian teenager, she spends her weekends sorting donations at The Clothes Hound. She views her parents as overprotective and slightly secretive. A violent tragedy upends her normal life, thrusting her into the underground world of the Mayday resistance. She takes on the alias Jade to survive and undergoes intense physical and psychological training to strike back against Gilead.

Becka is the daughter of a prominent Gilead dentist and a Handmaid. She suffers severe abuse at home, leading to a paralyzing terror of men and the prospect of an arranged marriage. Seeking safety, she attempts suicide before finding refuge at Ardua Hall as a Supplicant. She finds solace in her faith and her deep bond with Agnes.

As a Founder Aunt, Aunt Vidala is a true believer in Gilead's ideology. She takes sadistic pleasure in enforcing the regime's strictest rules and frequently employs physical punishment. She views Aunt Lydia as insufficiently pious and constantly looks for opportunities to usurp her position at the top of the women's sphere.

One of the original architects of Gilead and the powerful leader of the Eyes, the state's secret police. He enjoys immense privilege and frequently uses his authority to acquire very young Wives. He is ruthless, viewing women purely as property and political tools, and relies on terror to maintain order.

A Founder Aunt who previously worked as a political assistant in Washington. The initial trauma of the regime change broke her spirit, making her compliant and anxious. She relies heavily on the rules and structure of Gilead to manage her anxiety, making her susceptible to Aunt Lydia's manipulations.

Commander Kyle's Wife and Agnes's adoptive mother. She suffers from a chronic illness but dedicates her failing energy to making Agnes feel cherished. She constructs elaborate fairytales about rescuing Agnes from witches to shield the young girl from the violent reality of her origins.

Commander Kyle's second Wife. She is calculating, status-obsessed, and entirely lacking in maternal warmth. She systematically removes all traces of Tabitha from the household and pushes to marry Agnes off as quickly as possible to consolidate her own position.

An influential elite in Gilead and Agnes's adoptive father. He represents the typical Commander: heavily involved in state affairs while completely detached from the daily operations of his household. He tolerates Agnes mostly because she was a pet project for his first Wife, Tabitha.

Daisy's guardian in Canada. He maintains a strict, highly controlled environment for his family, insisting on tracking Daisy's attendance at a private school. He uses old cameras and hidden equipment to quietly coordinate communications for the Mayday resistance.

Daisy's guardian in Toronto. She acts as the public face of the thrift store, interacting with customers and accepting donations from operatives like Ada. She quickly shuts down any questions Daisy asks about the business or their unusual rules.

A tough, highly competent operative for the Mayday resistance. She rescues Daisy during a violent riot and takes charge of her safety when tragedy strikes. She uses safe houses and disguises to maneuver through Toronto undetected.

A relatively kind and soothing teacher at the Vidala School. Unlike her harsher colleagues, she attempts to soften the terrifying stories and strict theology taught to the girls, offering comfort when they become distressed.

The premier dentist in Gilead and Becka's father. He uses his respected status among the elite to prey on his young female patients, operating under the assumption that the state's disregard for female testimony makes him untouchable.

A pragmatic and ambitious classmate of Agnes and Becka. She eagerly anticipates her arranged marriage, viewing it as a transaction to gain power and comfort. She is quick to spread gossip and distance herself from anyone who falls out of favor.

A resistance fighter from the neutral Republic of Texas. He operates in Toronto, acting as a bodyguard and physical trainer for Daisy as she prepares for her perilous mission. He poses as her abusive boyfriend on the streets to attract the attention of the Pearl Girls.

A Mayday operative who manages intelligence and logistics in Canada. He explains the high-stakes situation to Daisy and coordinates the complex plans required to communicate with their secret source inside Gilead.

A quiet Handmaid assigned to produce a child for Commander Kyle and Paula. Her true name is Crystal. Her tragic experience during childbirth serves as a brutal awakening for Agnes regarding the disposability of women in Gilead.