Principal characters •
The Narrator/the Second Mrs de Winter: A timid, naïve, middle-class woman in her early twenties, who enjoys sketching. Neither the narrator's first nor maiden name is revealed. She is referred to as "my wife", "Mrs de Winter", "my dear", and so on. The one time she is introduced with a name is during a
fancy dress ball, in which she dresses as a de Winter ancestor and is introduced as "Caroline de Winter", although this is clearly not her own name. She signs her name as "Mrs M. de Winter", using Maxim's initial. Early in the novel she receives a letter and remarks that her name was correctly spelled, which is "an unusual thing," suggesting her name is uncommon, foreign or complex. While courting her, Maxim compliments her on her "lovely and unusual name". Initially timid, she gains a sense of confidence over the course of the novel. •
Maximilian "Maxim" de Winter: The reserved, unemotional owner of Manderley. He marries his new wife after a brief courtship, yet displays little affection toward her after the marriage. Emotionally scarred by his traumatic marriage to Rebecca, his distance toward his new wife causes her to fear he regrets his marriage to her and is still haunted by Rebecca's death. Maxim killed Rebecca after she taunted him with the prospect of raising an illegitimate child as Maxim's heir. •
Mrs Danvers: The cold, overbearing housekeeper of Manderley. Danvers was Rebecca's family maid when she was a child and has lived with her for years. She is obsessed with Rebecca and preserving Rebecca's memory. She resents the new Mrs de Winter, convinced she is trying to "take Rebecca's place", and continually psychologically torments her. She tries to undermine the new Mrs de Winter, but her efforts fail. After learning of Rebecca's cancer, Mrs Danvers apparently burns Manderley to the ground. She is nicknamed
Danny, which is derived from her last name; her first name being unknown or unimportant, but in
Sally Beauman's sequel ''
Rebecca's Tale'' it was said to be
Edith. •
Rebecca de Winter: The unseen, deceased title character, who has been dead for less than a year. A famous beauty, and on the surface a devoted wife and perfect hostess, Rebecca was actually unfaithful to her husband Maxim. Her lingering presence overwhelms Manderley, dominating the visitors, the staff and the new Mrs de Winter. Through dialogue, it is slowly revealed that Rebecca possessed the signs of a
psychopath: habitual lying, superficial charm, expert manipulation, no conscience and no remorse. She was also revealed to be somewhat
sadistic—Danvers tells a story of Rebecca, during her teenage years, cruelly whipping a horse until it bled.
Minor characters •
Frank Crawley: The hard-working, dutiful
agent of Manderley and Maxim's trusted advisor and faithful confidant. He soon becomes a good friend to the second Mrs de Winter, and helps her in the self-doubt of her ability to rule Manderley as its mistress. Rebecca attempted to seduce him in the past. •
Beatrice Lacy (formerly de Winter): Maxim's wilful and quick-witted sister, who develops an immediate fondness for the new Mrs de Winter. Prior to the novel, she had married Giles Lacy. She is one of the few people, along with her brother, who knew Rebecca's true nature, as Beatrice's husband was seduced by her. She and Giles have a son, Roger. •
Giles Lacy: Beatrice's husband, and Maxim's brother-in-law. He had an affair with Rebecca. •
Frith: The middle-aged, kind and devoted
butler at Manderley. He already worked for the de Winters when Maxim was a boy. •
Robert: A
footman. •
Mrs Van Hopper: The narrator's employer at the beginning of the novel. An obnoxious, overbearing American woman who relentlessly pursues wealthy and famous guests at the various hotels she stays at in order to latch on to their fame and boost her own status through association. •
Clarice: Mrs de Winter's young
maid. •
Jack Favell: Rebecca's disreputable first cousin and lover. He and Rebecca grew up together and he shares many of her worst traits. He is strongly disliked by Maxim and several other characters. Since Rebecca's death, he remains in touch with Mrs Danvers, whom he calls "Danny", just as Rebecca had done. •
Gran: Maxim and Beatrice's senile 86-year-old maternal grandmother, who was largely responsible for their upbringing but is now an invalid. Mrs de Winter accompanies Beatrice on a visit in order to meet Gran, who is unable to understand that Rebecca is dead and Maxim has remarried. She continually asks about Rebecca, which leads to Beatrice cutting their visit short. •
Colonel Julyan: The investigator in the inquest into the cause of Rebecca's death, and Favell's subsequent accusation of Maxim. He ultimately aids Maxim in avoiding prosecution, despite suspecting the truth. •
Dr Baker: A doctor, who specialises in
gynaecology. A few hours before her death, Rebecca went to see him in secret, when he diagnosed her with an unspecified type of cancer. ==Development==