Kathy
Kathy H. is a thirty-one-year-old clone who has been bred for her organs to be harvested when she reaches adulthood. She works as a "carer," a kind of nurse-cum-companion to clones who are in the process of making their donations, and is very good at her job. Never Let Me Go follows her life story. Kathy is empathetic, mild-mannered, and passive.
Ruth
Kathy's best friend from childhood. Despite her selfishness and pathological lying, Ruth has excellent social intelligence, and often perceives realities that others miss. For example, she is the first to notice that Madame is afraid of the students, and she correctly deduces Kathy’s feelings for Tommy when they live together at the Cottages. Ruth goes out with Tommy, but eventually feels badly about keeping him away from Kathy. Late in life, she tries to make amends.
Tommy
Tommy D. is another one of Kathy's classmates at Hailsham. As a boy, he is ostracized by the other students because of his short temper and immaturity. As an adult, he is kind-hearted, enthusiastic, and painfully naïve. He is involved in a love triangle with Kathy and Ruth.
Crow Face
Also known as Nurse Trisha, Crow Face is the students' nickname for the unpleasant nurse at Hailsham.
Miss Geraldine
A kind guardian and art teacher. Miss Geraldine is especially beloved by the younger students.
Miss Emily
Miss Emily is the head guardian and the leader of Hailsham. As adults, Kathy and Tommy learn that she was a prominent advocate for the humane treatment of clones.
Miss Lucy
A brusque, athletically built guardian who believes the students should be taught everything about their futures as organ donors.
Madame
A mysterious French woman who periodically visits Hailsham to take the students' best art away to "the Gallery." It is later revealed that she is also an activist for progressive treatment of clones, and the art is to prove that the clones have souls.
Roy J.
A Hailsham student one year older than Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth. He initiates the “tokens controversy.”
Moira B.
A Hailsham girl in Kathy’s year who is expelled from Ruth’s “secret guard.”
Laura
An outgoing, vivacious Hailsham student in Kathy’s year. She has great difficulty when she is required to become a carer.
Harry C.
A handsome, quiet boy with whom Kathy plots to have sex in her last year at Hailsham. This never happens and when she sees him at a recovery center years later, he does not recognize her.
Keffers
The grumpy caretaker at the Cottages.
Hannah
A close friend of Kathy’s from Hailsham.
Chrissie
A very beautiful "veteran" at the Cottages who seems to suffer from low self-esteem. Chrissie is unusually interested in Hailsham, which she did not attend, and is in a co-dependent relationship with Rodney.
Rodney
A handsome, laid-back veteran in a relationship with Chrissie.
