Devon is a 17-year-old senior at the prestigious Niveus Academy. As a scholarship recipient from a poor neighborhood, he feels deeply out of place among his wealthy peers. He is a talented musician who composes his own pieces and dreams of attending Juilliard to escape the cycle of poverty. Deeply closeted, Devon carefully guards his sexuality and his life outside of school to protect himself and his family.

Chiamaka is a 17-year-old senior and the only other Black student at Niveus Academy. Born to a Nigerian mother and an Italian father, she comes from a wealthy background but lacks the legacy connections of her peers. She is highly ambitious, popular, and determined to attend Yale to become a doctor. She views high school social dynamics as a competitive game and maintains strict control over her public image.

Jamie is a wealthy, white legacy student at Niveus Academy whose family has attended the school for generations. He is diabetic and faces high expectations from his influential father. As Chiamaka's closest friend, he occupies a central role in her highly curated social life.

Belle is a beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed student at Niveus Academy. She comes from a wealthy, privileged background. Initially presented as a romantic obstacle for Chiamaka, Belle attempts to bridge the gap between them with overwhelming politeness.

Terrell is a Black teenager from Devon's neighborhood who attends a local public high school. He and Devon went to middle school together and share a complicated romantic history. Terrell is more open about his sexuality than Devon, though his socioeconomic struggles limit his expectations for the future.

Andre, often called Dre, is an 18-year-old from Devon's neighborhood. He grows out his beard to be taken seriously in his dangerous line of work as a drug dealer. Despite his tough exterior, he cares deeply for Devon, though their relationship forces them both to take significant risks.

Devon's mother works three jobs to support her family in a poor neighborhood. She is deeply invested in Devon's education, hoping Niveus Academy will provide him with opportunities she never had. Her religious background makes Devon hesitant to share his full identity with her.

Chiamaka's Nigerian mother lives a wealthy lifestyle but maintains a strong connection to her roots. She encourages her daughter to embrace her cultural heritage and natural hair, contrasting with the Eurocentric standards Chiamaka feels pressured to adopt at school.

Chiamaka's Italian father provides his family with substantial wealth. However, he struggles to defend his wife and daughter against the prejudices of his own extended family in Italy, causing quiet tension in the household.

Jack is a white student at Niveus Academy who lives in Devon's neighborhood. He bonds with Devon over their shared experiences with poverty and having incarcerated fathers. He is highly defensive and struggles with the pressure of fitting in at the elite school.

Headmaster Ward is the newly appointed principal of Niveus Academy. He presents the school's core values to the student body and handles disciplinary issues with a strict, traditional approach.

Mr. Taylor teaches music at Niveus Academy. He encourages Devon's musical talents and seemingly supports his ambition to attend Juilliard, standing out as an approachable faculty member.

Ruby is a student at Niveus Academy and one of Chiamaka's close associates. Like Chiamaka, she is appointed as a prefect, but their friendship is largely built on mutual social climbing rather than genuine affection.

Ava is another student at Niveus Academy who participates in the school's competitive social hierarchy alongside Chiamaka and Ruby.

Scotty is a student at Niveus Academy who previously dated Chiamaka to boost both of their social standings. He later becomes central to school gossip when an illicit photograph is circulated to the student body.