Mr. Lockwood is a gentleman from the south of England who rents Thrushcross Grange to escape high society. He views himself as a misanthrope but is deeply curious about his secretive, aggressive neighbors. He relies on his housekeeper to explain the history of the families in the area and records her tales in his journal.

Nelly is the long-time housekeeper who serves both the Earnshaw and Linton families over the course of her life. She is pragmatic, observant, and highly involved in the daily affairs of the people she serves. Having grown up alongside the Earnshaw children, she holds strong personal opinions about the events she recounts to Mr. Lockwood.

Catherine is the headstrong and rebellious daughter of Mr. Earnshaw. She shares a deep, primal connection with her foster brother Heathcliff but is also drawn to the refinement of the Linton family. Her temperamental nature and conflicting desires cause immense friction within both households.

Hindley is Catherine’s older brother and the heir to Wuthering Heights. He feels displaced by Heathcliff's arrival and harbors intense jealousy. His anger drives him to abuse his power over the household when he comes of age, establishing a cycle of cruelty.

Heathcliff is a brooding, dark-haired foundling brought to Wuthering Heights from Liverpool as a child. He faces severe prejudice from others, finding solace only in his intense bond with Catherine. His hardened exterior masks deep emotional wounds and a growing desire for retribution against those who mistreat him.

Edgar is a handsome, refined, and wealthy gentleman who lives at Thrushcross Grange. He represents the civilized, educated world that contrasts with the wildness of Wuthering Heights. He is sensitive and affectionate, though often intimidated by fierce displays of emotion.

Cathy is the daughter of Catherine and Edgar Linton. She inherits her mother's dark eyes alongside her father's fair hair and gentle capacity for love. Kept sheltered at Thrushcross Grange for much of her life, she possesses a strong curiosity about the world outside her home.

Hareton is the son of Hindley and Frances Earnshaw. Despite being the rightful heir to the Wuthering Heights estate, he is raised in ignorance and forced into servitude. He is rough, uneducated, and quick-tempered, yet harbors a deep sense of loyalty toward his master.

Isabella is Edgar’s younger sister, raised in comfort and privilege at Thrushcross Grange. She is somewhat naive and easily infatuated by the brooding romanticism she projects onto Heathcliff, ignoring the warnings of her family about his true nature.

Linton is the frail and demanding son of Isabella and Heathcliff. Raised away from Wuthering Heights for his early years, he struggles with chronic illness and a peevish disposition. His weak health makes him highly susceptible to his father's control and manipulation.

Joseph is a cantankerous, highly religious servant at Wuthering Heights. He speaks in a thick Yorkshire dialect and frequently uses his pious beliefs to judge and criticize the other residents of the household.

Mr. Earnshaw is the patriarch of the Earnshaw family. He is a compassionate but easily irritated man who throws his household into turmoil by bringing a mysterious foundling home and favoring him over his biological son.

Frances is Hindley's thin and initially cheerful wife. She holds a deep fear of illness and exhibits frail health, bringing brief periods of joy to her husband but ultimately exacerbating the household's instability.

Zillah is a robust servant at Wuthering Heights during Lockwood's tenancy. She is practical and mostly minds her own business, avoiding the volatile tempers of her employers.

Dr. Kenneth is the local country doctor who tends to the residents of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. He is pragmatic and familiar with the dramatic temperaments of his patients.