A pastorela contained an array of characters which were chosen carefully, since the characters were passed from father to son. The characters were controlled by the priest and any immoral act, such as harassy or suicide, would cause the person to lose their role. Mary had to be played by a pure female, which was a virgin of clean mind and body, and sixteen years of age. The shepherds were dressed in a Basque costume with rope soled shoes.

The play also consisted of seven devils which represented the seven capital sins. They were dressed in black with a red or green cape. All devils wore veils over their face, symbolizing that they had not yet seen the light of Jesus, except Lucifer. The men chosen as devils usually had black hair and dark eyes to represent the darkness of evil. Women were sometimes allowed a part. They played an "astucia" or temptress which is a woman who tempts men or commits adultery. Her role was to try to tempt the shepherds and the hermit. In modern times, a gila was also represented by a female, who would provide some entertainment, in the form of dancing between the acts.

The angels in a pastorela were played by blonde, blue-eyed, men, to represent goodness. Since the characters were inherited and passed on, a man who played an angel in a pastorela, had to choose a blonde, blue-eyed wife. (white vs black = good vs evil).