The fifteen-year-old heir to House Atreides, he is trained in warfare and Bene Gesserit ways. As his family moves to the dangerous planet Arrakis, he is plagued by prophetic dreams and faces the burden of a potential messianic destiny.

Duke Leto's concubine and Paul's mother, she is a Bene Gesserit who defied her order to bear a son. She serves as a key advisor to the Duke and secretly trains Paul in the sisterhood's powers of observation and control.

The noble head of House Atreides, known for his fairness and loyalty. He moves his family to Arrakis knowing it is a trap set by his enemies, hoping to build a new fighting force from the native population.

A young Fremen warrior and daughter of Liet-Kynes who appears in Paul's prophetic dreams. She serves as a mysterious figure in his visions before they physically meet.

The Emperor's Truthsayer and a high-ranking Bene Gesserit who mentored Lady Jessica. She tests Paul with the Gom Jabbar, a deadly trial of pain, to determine his humanity.

The eldest daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV, serving as the chronicler of the story through historical excerpts. Though not present in the early action, her writings provide context and foreshadowing.

The Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe who fears the rising popularity of Duke Leto. He secretly lends his elite Sardaukar troops to the Harkonnens to orchestrate the destruction of House Atreides.

The sadistic, grossly obese head of House Harkonnen who relies on suspensors to move. He is the sworn enemy of the Atreides and orchestrates a complex plot to destroy them and reclaim Arrakis.

The Baron's "Twisted" Mentat, a human computer perverted to sadism and addicted to the substance sapho. He serves as the architect of the Baron's schemes against the Atreides.

The Baron's cunning younger nephew and chosen heir, groomed to eventually take over Arrakis as a savior figure. He is dark-haired and handsome, contrasting with his brutal brother.

The Baron's older nephew, known for his brutish nature and lack of subtlety. He is assigned to terrorize the populace of Arrakis for profit, acting as a cruel instrument for the Baron.

The Master of Assassins and Mentat for House Atreides, serving the family for three generations. He manages security and military strategy, though he is growing old and wary of the threats on Arrakis.

A talented troubadour and lethal warmaster for House Atreides who trains Paul in combat. He harbors a deep hatred for the Harkonnens for killing his sister and giving him a facial scar.

The Atreides family physician and a graduate of the Suk School with "Imperial Conditioning" against inflicting harm. He is implicitly trusted by the Duke and Jessica to care for their health.

A Swordmaster of the Ginaz and trusted lieutenant known for his battle prowess. He is sent ahead to Arrakis as an ambassador to secure the Fremen as allies.

The Imperial Planetologist and Judge of the Change on Arrakis who secretly leads the Fremen. He is dedicated to a long-term ecological plan to transform the desert planet into a paradise.

A Fremen woman who serves as the head housekeeper for the Atreides residence in Arrakeen. She tests Lady Jessica with a crysknife to verify if Bene Gesserit prophecies have come to pass.

A powerful Naib of Sietch Tabr who strictly enforces the traditional customs of the desert. He acts cautiously toward the Atreides while leading a major Fremen tribal community.