Tammi is an ambitious Black teenage girl living in New York City with dreams of an entertainment career. She struggles with intense anxiety and a severe fear of heights. Determined to leave her past behind before starting college in Atlanta, she tries to maintain a businesslike distance from her recent ex-boyfriend when they become stranded together during the power outage.

Kareem is a charismatic teenager and aspiring DJ working to save money for college. Having lived next door to Tammi for most of his life, he understands her anxiety better than anyone else. He is protective, deeply tied to his extended family, and prone to poor communication, which contributed to his recent breakup.

Nella is a self-conscious queer Black teenager reeling from a recent romantic rejection by her straight best friend. She struggles with a negative self-image and assumes others view her with pity. She is a devoted granddaughter who frequently visits her grandfather, occasionally avoiding the center when a specific popular volunteer is present.

Joss is a confident, kind, and beautiful queer teenager who volunteers at a local retirement home. She brings her dog Ziggy everywhere and plays the piano for the senior residents. Comfortable in her own skin, she is patient and vocal in her appreciation of others.

JJ is the star of his high school varsity basketball team, though he is secretly losing his passion for the sport. He is privately exploring his queer identity and worries about the societal expectations placed upon him as a straight-passing athlete. He previously used an alter ego, Tobias, to safely explore a queer masquerade ball.

Tremaine is a handsome, intelligent teenager with a passion for taking professional photos at parties and gigs. Having been bullied in middle school and locked in a closet, he suffers from severe claustrophobia. He is open about his sexuality and approaches his identity with a vulnerability that others admire.

Grace is a Jamaican teenage girl who moved to New York City two years ago. Initially heading to a Brooklyn block party to angrily confront her ex-boyfriend, the blackout stalls her progress. She is curious, open to deep conversations, and willing to abandon her plans for revenge when she makes a genuine connection with a stranger.

Seymour is a thoughtful Black teenager who gave up going to college to support his widowed mother and siblings by driving a rideshare car. He enjoys contemplating big ideas through podcasts and feels a growing distance between himself and his childhood friends who left for school. He is highly protective and considerate of his passengers.

Lana is an aspiring writer nicknamed "elephantita" by her friends due to her incredible memory. Raised by two fathers who met in a bookstore, she dreams of seeing her own novels on the library shelves. She is highly anxious about ruining her lifelong friendship by confessing her romantic feelings.

Tristán is an energetic and charismatic teenager who recently moved to the Bronx with his family after the death of his mother. He is highly competitive, turning a romantic gesture into a contest to find the best book. Despite his joking exterior, he harbors a deep, long-standing devotion to his childhood best friend.

Tre'Shawn is a charismatic teenager from Mississippi on a class trip to New York City. Recently caught lying about his plans to hang out with friends, he makes an earnest effort to apologize to his girlfriend. He demonstrates maturity when handling tense situations and relationship struggles.

Kayla is a teenager from Mississippi who self-identifies as an "expectations meeter." She struggles with anxiety and regularly sees a therapist to manage her paranoia. Torn between the comfort of her long-term relationship and the exciting possibilities of a new crush, she works to find her own voice instead of simply pleasing others.

Micah is an honest and empathetic teenager from Mississippi. Unafraid of confrontation, he directly challenges a classmate's behavior and openly pursues the girl he likes. He is supportive and encourages his friends to break out of their comfortable routines.

Twig is a well-connected teenager throwing a major block party in Brooklyn. His party serves as the ultimate destination for several characters navigating the city during the blackout.

Mr. Wright is a working-class father and bus driver. During the blackout, he provides a safe haven for stranded students and offers objective, fatherly advice to teenagers dealing with relationship struggles.

Grandpop Ike is a resident at a local senior center. Having met his late wife during the 1977 New York blackout, he cherishes her photograph and happily shares their romantic history with the younger generation.

Grandma Zora is Nella's late grandmother. Her romance with her husband, which began during a previous city-wide blackout, serves as an inspiring piece of family history.

Jazmyn is a high school student on a class trip to New York. She is highly critical of her best friend's boyfriend, though her constant trash-talking leads to suspicions that she might harbor hidden feelings of her own.

Derrick is Grace's ex-boyfriend. He broke up with her after two years of dating, prompting her original plan to attend the Brooklyn block party and seek revenge.

Bree is Nella's straight best friend who is spending the summer in Haiti. Having recently rejected Nella's romantic advances, she continues to text her, causing Nella emotional distress.