Pip Bernadotte is a French mercenary and the leader of the Wild Geese, a private military company hired by the Hellsing Organization after the Valentine Brothers' attack wipes out most of Hellsing's regular soldiers. He comes from a family with a long mercenary tradition, with some accounts describing a line of soldiers spanning multiple generations, and he was raised partly by his grandfather in the French countryside. As a child he was mocked by classmates because of his family's profession as killers for hire, an experience that shaped his tough exterior and his pride in his trade.

On the surface, Pip appears crude and unprofessional. He is a heavy smoker, speaks in flirtatious double entendres, and seems greedy and self-centered. He is initially skeptical about the existence of vampires, and only accepts the reality of the supernatural when Seras Victoria physically knocks him over with one hand. Beneath that rough exterior, however, he is an honorable and deeply loyal man. He treats his men with genuine care, holds himself to a soldier's code, and is capable of great bravery and selfless compassion. He is charismatic and pragmatic, a natural leader who keeps his crew cohesive even in desperate situations, and he can joke and banter even under fire.

His primary motivation is professional: he is a soldier of fortune who serves as long as he and his men are paid. But over time his motivations shift from simple contract work to personal loyalty. He develops a romantic interest in Seras Victoria, initially drawn to her but also put off by her vampire nature, and she is wary of him because of his lecherous behavior. As they fight alongside each other, that dynamic grows into a close bond of mutual respect and trust. He also works under Walter C. Dollnez, who arranges the Wild Geese's contract, and serves the Hellsing cause alongside Integra Hellsing's forces during the major battles of the series.

In terms of development, Pip begins as a cynical hired gun who does not believe in the mission's supernatural stakes and gradually becomes someone who fights out of conviction and emotional attachment. His defining moment comes during the assault on the Hellsing manor, when the vampire Zorin Blitz wounds Seras, cutting off her arm and blinding her. Pip sacrifices himself to give her a chance to survive, offering his own blood as he dies and urging her to drink. Seras honors his wish, and in death he becomes her vampire familiar, continuing to exist as part of her power. This act transforms his legacy from that of a mercenary into that of a devoted protector.

His notable abilities are those of a highly experienced human soldier rather than a supernatural one. He is an expert marksman and a skilled combatant who performs surprisingly well against vampires and undead foes despite having no special powers of his own. He is a capable tactician and leader, able to organize his squad effectively in chaotic battles. His physical courage, resilience, and willingness to sacrifice himself are his most defining strengths, and even after death, his bond with Seras grants her a lasting source of strength in the form of her familiar.