Junior is a 29-year-old member of the mafia who works under his domineering father. He bears physical and emotional scars from his violent profession and desperately wishes to leave the criminal world behind. He harbors a deep obsession with his high school ex-girlfriend, keeping a close eye on her life from afar.

Lauren is a fiercely independent, politically active sex worker and part-owner of the Velvet play club. Shaped by betrayals from her father and her high school boyfriend, she struggles to trust others but passionately advocates for her community's rights. She values her career and actively lobbies politicians to improve conditions for workers in her industry.

Nico is a high-ranking mafia member who works under Lorenzo and tightly controls his sons. He weaponizes his approval to keep his family entrenched in organized crime and views outsiders as direct threats to his authority.

Ryan is Lauren's nonbinary roommate, best friend, and video editor. They met Lauren after she changed high schools and have remained a fiercely loyal and protective presence in her life ever since. They regularly offer caution regarding Lauren's personal choices while unconditionally supporting her career.

Taylor is a bubbly sex worker and part-owner of the Velvet play club who lives with Lauren and Ryan. Adopted into a conservative family that never fully accepted her, she finds genuine community and empowerment in her current life and work. She frequently encourages Lauren to pursue her desires without hesitation.

Aly is a nurse and Junior's cousin who provides a stable, welcoming presence outside of the mafia's direct influence. She hosts gatherings at her home, offering a glimpse of a healthy, normal life for her relatives away from the family's criminal operations.

Josh is a cybersecurity professional with a vegan lifestyle who recently became engaged to Aly. Despite the dangerous world his fiancé's family inhabits, he actively supports Junior and helps him plan his exit from the mafia safely.

Moira is the boisterous, universally loved matriarch of the Trocci family. Having grown up in Ireland during the Troubles, she is familiar with violence but maintains a hopeful view that her husband and sons can find a better path.

Alec is one of Junior's younger brothers and a member of the mafia. He seeks greater responsibility within the criminal organization and strictly follows his father's orders, though he maintains a friendly, joking relationship with his siblings.

Stefan is a quiet, observant member of the Trocci family who works alongside his brothers in the mafia. He possesses a sneaky demeanor and plays a role in tracking down targets for the organization.

Greg is the youngest Trocci brother, heavily entrenched in the family legacy. He exhibits the emotional toll of his criminal lifestyle, mirroring Junior's early days in the organization.

Nonna Bianchi is Lauren's supportive grandmother who runs a family deli in Little Italy. She effectively raised Lauren and her sister after their parents separated, offering a surprisingly open-minded perspective on her granddaughter's romantic life.

Tommy is Lauren's largely absent father who was heavily involved in criminal activities. His past actions, including a violent threat against a teenage Junior, drastically altered the course of his daughter's life.

Kristen is Lauren's older sister, who is pregnant with her third child. She holds critical views regarding Lauren's lifestyle and remains somewhat detached from her sister's challenges, focusing instead on her own growing family.

Sylvia is a co-owner of Velvet who handles much of the club's administrative logistics. She actively strategizes ways to keep the business afloat despite facing extortionate rent increases from their landlord.

Tyler is Josh's former roommate who secretly operates as a bookie holding substantial debts. He leverages his financial power to forge business partnerships in the underground world.

Patrick is the landlord of the Velvet play club who consistently raises the rent on the owners. He suffers from substantial gambling debts that make him vulnerable to extortion.

Hugo is Kristen's husband who primarily works as a bodyguard for Lorenzo, the head of the mafia. He occasionally leaks information about the criminal underworld to his wife.

Lorenzo is the elusive boss of the criminal syndicate that employs the Trocci family. He holds ultimate authority over the region's organized crime activities and rewards loyalty from his subordinates.