Darrow, the story’s protagonist, narrates the events of Red Rising. With red eyes and hair, he qualifies as an adult Red at sixteen years old and was raised in Lykos, a mining community beneath Mars’s surface. His agile hands and risk-taking nature earn him the role of Helldiver, a dangerous lead mining job. Handsome and confident, Darrow adores his wife Eo, who encourages him to use his leadership skills, intelligence, and courage not on her behalf but to rescue Reds from their plight. Although initially resistant to this idea, Darrow undergoes tremendous change after Eo dies. He withstands extreme surgery to alter his appearance and enters a dangerous unknown to take down the Society from within and see Eo’s dream to fruition. 

With his new physique and natural intellectual prowess, Darrow au Andromedus (his fake Golden surname) competes capably with the Institute’s most formidable Golds. However, Darrow possesses what these privileged youths do not: a history of servitude, hatred of his Gold oppressors, and profound grief over his wife’s death. Characters note his inner darkness and ruthless drive to succeed. Ever cognizant of his mission, Darrow asserts, “I won’t lose. I cannot lose” (201).