The narrator and main character is a humble yeoman by the name of John Ridd. Nearly six feet and eight inches tall, John is the largest man in the area and a champion wrestler. Though he is more educated than most of the men of the area, he considers himself to be a “simple,” “slow,” and violent when warranted. His self-described virtues are in his lack of rue and honesty.

Though his father was killed by one of the treacherous Doones, John finds himself enraptured by Lorna Doone at a young age. Knowing that the Doones are of high birth, he keenly feels the disparity of their ranks and berates himself for aspiring to her love. Even so, he pursues Lorna in secret and wins her. Eventually, he brings about the end of the entire Doone clan, except for a single man.

Lady Lorna Dugal is first introduced as Lorna Doone. Raised by her kidnappers and treated as the future heiress to the clan, Lorna struggles with being surrounded by violent rogues. These circumstances make her serious, but not cruel, until she is free of them. Even from a young age, she is exceptionally beautiful with pale skin, black hair, and brown eyes.