Amal is a 16-year-old Australian-Palestinian-Muslim girl attending the prestigious McCleans private school in Melbourne. She is intelligent, resolute, and highly observant of her surroundings. She decides to wear the hijab full-time as a proud representation of her faith, opening herself up to both support and prejudice. Her choice prompts her to confront stereotypes while maintaining her typical teenage desires, such as worrying about clothes and school crushes.

Leila is one of Amal's closest friends from her former school, Islamic College. Coming from a strict Turkish household, she possesses strong academic ambitions and wishes to study law. She clashes heavily with her traditional mother, who expects her to drop out of school and enter an arranged marriage at sixteen.

Adam is an athletic, white Christian boy at McCleans who wants to study medicine. He lives with his busy father and stepmother, feeling deeply disconnected from his biological mother who moved to the Netherlands. He shows interest in Amal but struggles to comprehend the strict boundaries and moral codes of her faith.

A wealthy, popular student at McCleans High School. She targets anyone she views as different, directing racial and religious prejudice at Amal while mercilessly body-shaming Simone. She masks her ignorance with loud confidence and cruelty.

Yasmeen is Amal's good friend from her previous Islamic school. She has a British mother and a Pakistani father, reflecting the varied reality of Muslim identities in Australia. She practices her religion but does not wear a headscarf, preferring to express herself freely through fashion and makeup.

Simone is Amal's white Christian friend at her new private school. She suffers from severe body image insecurities and constantly attempts new diets. Her mother exacerbates her lack of confidence by insisting that extreme thinness is a prerequisite for finding romance.

Eileen is a student of Japanese descent who befriends Amal at McCleans. She deeply empathizes with Amal's cultural challenges, as she also experiences the disconnect between her immigrant parents' traditional customs and modern Australian culture.

Josh is a Jewish student at McCleans High School who swiftly accepts Amal's religious wear due to his own familiarity with Orthodox Jewish customs. He demonstrates sharp perceptiveness and kindness, particularly in his interactions with the deeply insecure Simone.

Mrs. Vaselli is Amal's elderly Greek neighbor who lives alone and speaks broken English. She presents a gruff exterior and regularly complains about her surroundings. Having emigrated from Greece at fourteen to marry, she carries deep emotional wounds and lives isolated from her estranged son.

Gulchin is Leila's traditional Turkish mother who struggles to adapt to modern Australian society. She firmly believes her daughter should abandon her education for an arranged marriage at sixteen, viewing academic ambition as a disgraceful departure from their cultural roots. She enables her son's bad behavior while harshly restricting her daughter.

Uncle Joe is Amal's maternal uncle, who changed his birth name from Ismail. He desperately tries to assimilate into white Australian culture by bleaching his hair and adopting local slang. He views his sister's traditional religious practices as overly extreme and embarrassing.

Aunt Mandy is Uncle Joe's wife, formerly named Aysha. She joins her husband in rejecting their Middle Eastern roots, dyeing her hair blonde and hosting overly formal dinners to impress Australian colleagues. She gave her children Anglo-Saxon names to further obscure their heritage.

A successful dentist and devoted mother who successfully balances her Muslim faith with life in modern Australia. She supports Amal's choices without being overbearing, frequently encouraging her daughter to pause and view situations from other people's perspectives.

A doctor and a devoted family man. He maintains an affectionate relationship with his daughter, occasionally letting her manipulate him into getting her way by mentioning vague health complaints. He takes immense pride in Amal's academic capabilities and debating skills.

Leila's older brother, who prefers the name "Sam" outside the house. He behaves selfishly, drinking and partying without consequence because his parents excuse his actions due to his gender. He acts as an enforcer of household rules he personally ignores.

Yasmeen's mother, affectionately called Aunt Cassandra by Amal. Born into the British upper class, she is a former hippie and feminist who converted to Islam. She wears interesting jewelry and allows her daughter immense freedom of expression.

Yasmeen's Pakistani father, who partners with his British wife to create a diverse, relaxed home environment for their children.

A popular girl at McCleans High School who aligns herself closely with Tia's clique. She willingly participates in mocking Amal's religious garments.

Another member of the wealthy, popular clique at McCleans. She consistently backs up Tia's prejudiced behavior in the school bathrooms and hallways.

The principal of McCleans High School. She initially reacts with apprehension to Amal's hijab, fearing it disrupts school tradition, but ultimately permits it provided it matches the school colors.

Amal's English teacher and homeroom advisor. He recognizes Amal's academic potential and kindly offers her the use of a storage room as a private space to pray during the school day.

Uncle Joe and Aunt Mandy's daughter. She finds her parents' attempts to perfectly assimilate into Australian culture hypocritical, especially when they suddenly enforce strict Arabic cultural expectations regarding her dating life.

Uncle Joe and Aunt Mandy's son. His parents gave him an Anglo-Saxon name as part of their intense effort to shed their Middle Eastern heritage.