Klaus - Characters & Cast

Initially, his sole motivation is to post 6,000 letters so he can return to his life of luxury. This later shifts to a genuine desire to bring happiness to the town and continue the work he started with Klaus.

Jesper begins as a lazy, spoiled, and utterly selfish young man who is exiled by his father to Smeerensburg. His initial motivation is to manipulate the situation to meet his letter quota and escape. However, as he witnesses the genuine joy his and Klaus's actions bring, he undergoes a significant transformation. He develops empathy and finds a sense of purpose beyond his own selfish desires, ultimately choosing to stay in Smeerensburg with the new family he has formed.

His initial motivation is rooted in the memory of his wife and their shared dream. Partnering with Jesper allows him to fulfill that dream in an unexpected way, finding joy in giving his creations to the children of Smeerensburg and beyond.

Klaus is first introduced as an intimidating and reclusive woodsman, isolated by grief after the death of his wife. His home is filled with toys he made for children he never had. Through his friendship with Jesper, he rediscovers his purpose and finds an outlet for his immense generosity and skill. He evolves from a solitary, mournful figure into the benevolent, legendary symbol of Christmas generosity.

Initially, her motivation is to earn enough money to leave Smeerensburg for good. This transforms into a desire to educate the town's children and contribute to the newly hopeful community.

Alva is a once-optimistic teacher who has become a cynical fishmonger because the feuding townspeople of Smeerensburg refuse to send their children to school. She is saving money to escape the miserable town. As Jesper and Klaus's actions inspire children to learn to write, her hope is rekindled. She uses her savings to reopen and improve her school, rediscovering her passion for teaching and becoming an integral part of the town's revival.

Her primary motivation is to uphold the "glorious hatred" and traditions of the feud between the Krums and the Ellingboes, which has defined her family and the town for generations.

Mrs. Krum is one of the two elders perpetuating the ancient feud in Smeerensburg. She is fiercely dedicated to the tradition of hatred and sees the burgeoning happiness and unity as a threat to her way of life. Her arc is one of resistance to change; she conspires with her rival, Mr. Ellingboe, to stop Jesper and Klaus. The feud she cherishes is ultimately ended not by her, but by the love that blossoms between the younger generation of her family and the Ellingboes.