Tsar Ivan the Terrible

The tsar whose growing paranoia and need for control fuel the oprichnina. He oscillates between brutal decrees and vulnerable introspection, haunted by memories of his wife and the consequences of his rule. His decisions shape the fate of courtiers and peasants alike, with Boris Godunov and Skuratov acting as crucial yet wary advisers.

A bold noble returning to a homeland under oppression. He intervenes to protect peasants from oprichniki, frees prisoners, and ultimately leads outlaws in a bid to unite against invaders. His courage and defiance position him as a key figure of resistance within the courtly turmoil.

Elena is forced into a marriage to escape the advances of Vyazemski, highlighting the era’s coercive power dynamics. After enduring oppression, she seeks refuge in a convent, embodying resilience amid political and personal turmoil.

A brutal oprichnik whose obsessive love for Elena drives violent actions. He resorts to sorcery to sway others, contributing to the tsar’s growing paranoia and the cycle of betrayal within the inner circle.

A trusted advisor whose influence helps navigate court politics. Alongside Skuratov, he negotiates the tsar’s decisions, balancing mercy, power, and political necessity within a dangerous landscape.

Son of the feared oprichnik leader Maluta Skuratov, he maneuvers within the tsar’s inner circle and becomes entangled in rivalries that reveal the brutal power dynamics of the era.

A high-ranking oprichnik whose fortunes rise and fall with the tsar’s favor. Accused of treachery, he is ultimately spared through intervention, illustrating the fragile nature of loyalty in a regime built on fear.

A noble who survives Vyazemski’s assault and seeks justice through trial. His fate reflects the ruthlessness of power and the complicated path to accountability under Ivan’s rule.

Ivan’s late wife whose memory casts a long shadow over the tsar and informs his introspection and guilt. Her absence shapes the emotional undercurrents of the court and Ivan’s decisions.