Mikhail Semyonov (Misha)
Misha is the grandfather of Katya and he is the important figure in this story. He narrates the audiotapes and recites the story, which focuses on his past. Misha immigrated from Russia and now lives in Chicago, where he is extremely wealthy. He is a tall and slim figure whose shoulders are now hunched from lack of muscle mass and age. Misha is haunted by the events that unfolded in his time in Russia, and keeping quiet about the events for all these decades only made it worse, but his guilt causes him to finally spill his secrets before passing away.
Leonid Sednyov
This is the name of the young kitchen boy whose point of view directs the story and who Misha claimed to be born as before changing his name. Leonid worked in the kitchen of the Impatiev House where the royal family was being kept and performed many activities, such as opening the milk bottles or organizing food supplies. Leonid worked with the nuns to bring supplies to the home and became closer to the Romanov family when he exchanged secret notes between the Tsar and the Tsar's loyal suporters. His young age allowed him to complete this task without suspicion. Leonid was a bright-eyed boy who bonded with the family, especially the younger children, gaining their trust and affection.
Tsar
The monarch of Russia and a member of the royal Romanov family. He leads his household and tries to maintain order while his family is held in captivity and complete isolation from the outside world. He is aware of his group of loyal supporters still present in the country and attempts to formulate and escape plan by passing secret notes to the outside world. The Tsar is extremely protective of the family yet still acts like a noble within the confines of imprisonment.
Tsarevich Aleksei
Aleksei is the Tsar's first-born son and therefore heir to the throne of Russia. He is a lanky boy who his haughty, the result of being brought up as a royal. His overconfident and stuck-up demeanor acts to cover up the fear he feels much to often. Aleksei is the source of many historical speculations, some of which say he survived his family's massacre and lived on in secret.
Sister Antonia
One of the nuns who is loyal to the Tsar and brings fresh food to the family every day. She helps exchange secret notes to the outside world.
Sister Marina
Sister Marina is also a young nun who remains loyal to the Romanov family and helps them by transferring the secret notes between the Tsar, Leonid, and then the outside world. She also helps take care of the family by bringing fresh produce to eat.
Commandant Yurovsky
The new commander that is put in place midway throughout the story. He is in charge of the Bolshevik soldiers holding the royal family in captivity. He is a short, stout man with a large goatee that cover his mouth. At first he seemed like an affable character, but the dark side of his personality soon escaped and we discovered his malicious intent for the Romanovs. Yurovsky is violent and prone to temper flares.
