Mark Studdock – An academic from Bracton College, Studdock is an unlikely protagonist due in part to the fact that he is working for the NICE, the very organization that is the mouthpiece of the dark powers. He himself does not embody the goals and designs of NICE, however. Studdock is just a man trying to make something of himself, but at the wrong time in the wrong organization.

Jane Studdock – Mark’s wife, Jane has the power of foresight. For this, she is sought after by agents of the NICE, but decides to join the group Logress instead. She proves essential in Ransom’s victory over the NICE.

Dr. Ransom – Much evolved from the timid philologist of the first book, Ransom owes much of his knowledge and power to his spiritual journey and victory on Perelandra. He now comes into his own as the reincarnation of the spirit of King Arthur, the Pendragon.

The Head – The disembodied head of a murderer, the Head is the leader of the NICE. He is controlled by the forces of darkness led by the Thulcandrian Oyarsa.

Members of the NICE – These are included as a single character because of their flat, one-sided evilness. With names like Frost, Wither, and Hardcastle, it is clear what Lewis wanted us to think of them.

Many Others – This book, unlike the other two, is full of dozens of minor characters, some who play important parts and some who do not. This is because, unlike the other two novels, That Hideous Strength takes place on Earth in the middle of a bureaucratic organization. There are hundreds of social interactions that cannot occur on alien planets with few inhabitants.