Ayad is an American-born Muslim and the son of Pakistani immigrants who struggles to define his identity in a post-9/11 America. He works as a writer and playwright, frequently drawing upon his cultural background and personal experiences to inform his art. As he grows into adulthood, he faces a constant push-and-pull between his father's fervent belief in American exceptionalism and his mother's deep-rooted homesickness for Pakistan.

Sikander is Ayad's father and a talented Pakistani-born cardiologist who relocates to the United States in pursuit of new opportunities. He wholeheartedly embraces the American Dream, viewing the United States as an unparalleled utopia of success and wealth. His desperate attempts to emulate wealthy American businessmen, particularly Donald Trump, dictate his professional and financial decisions.

Fatima is Ayad's mother and a Pakistani doctor who immigrates to the United States alongside her husband. Unlike Sikander, she never fully adapts to her new country and harbors a deep longing for her homeland. She remains highly critical of American materialism and prejudice, constantly worrying about the environment in which she is raising her son.

Mary Moroni is Ayad's college professor, widely recognized as a brilliant and controversial intellectual. She encourages her students to view America with a critical eye, challenging traditional narratives of perfection and exceptionalism. She teaches Ayad to maintain a bedside dream journal, a practice that heavily influences his adult self-reflection.

Latif is an honorary uncle to Ayad who immigrated to America alongside Ayad's parents. He maintains a deep connection to his Muslim faith and Pakistani heritage, choosing to run a medical clinic for minority communities rather than pursue celebrity clientele. His growing disillusionment with American foreign policy increasingly sets him apart from his peers.

Riaz is an exceedingly wealthy Muslim American hedge fund investor who takes an interest in Ayad's writing career. He curates an opulent lifestyle and uses his immense financial power to try and push back against anti-Muslim prejudice. He acts as a mentor to Ayad, introducing him to high society, political circles, and lucrative financial concepts.

Mike is a Black Hollywood agent and lawyer who befriends Ayad. Raised in Alabama by a prominent attorney father, Mike holds deeply cynical views about American economics and racial inequality. He identifies as a Republican, arguing that the political system is inherently rigged and that financial accumulation is the only true source of power.

Donald Trump is a high-profile real estate developer and later politician. During the 1990s, he experiences a severe heart scare and consults with Sikander, beginning a brief but highly influential professional relationship. His wealth, properties, and public persona serve as an ideological model for Sikander's vision of success.

Asha is a Muslim American woman whose immigrant parents achieved financial success through convenience stores and real estate. She struggles with her cultural identity and heavily relies on astrology and spiritual omens to guide her personal choices, leading to an intense romantic connection with Ayad.

Sultan is Sikander's best friend and acts as an uncle figure to Ayad. He remains a devout Muslim in practice and dress, maintaining his cultural values while living in America. He frequently debates politics with Sikander and expresses deep concern over the rising hostility toward immigrants in the United States.

Asma is Ayad's great-aunt who strongly encourages his writing career during his undergraduate years at Brown University. She is highly cultured and frequently recommends classic literature to Ayad, though she maintains strict religious boundaries regarding books she considers blasphemous to her faith.

Jerry is Mike Jacobs's father, an attorney who previously worked in Washington D.C. before relocating to his hometown. Through his professional experiences with powerful conservative figures, he develops a cynical understanding of American economics and the systemic barriers facing minority groups.

Muzzammil is Ayad's uncle who goes by the nickname "Moose" to accommodate Americans who struggle to pronounce his name. Although named after the Prophet Muhammed, he identifies as an atheist and navigates his cultural background alongside his arranged marriage.

Safiya is Muzzammil's wife, carrying a name associated with the Prophet Muhammed's wives. She participates in an arranged marriage with Muzzammil that, despite differing from modern American romantic ideals, provides a stable, loving, and highly successful partnership.

Ayesha is Ayad's cousin. She bears a name that draws frequent cultural condemnation due to its religious historical associations. Her early relationship experiences directly challenge Ayad's understanding of marriage boundaries outside of his religion.

Shafat is Ayad's relative who was once a devout Muslim. His harrowing experiences in the American prison system, where he is subjected to severe violence for questioning American values, drastically alter his approach to cultural assimilation.

Zayd is a taxi driver in Pakistan who lives in a repurposed shipping container. He holds fervent ideological beliefs, openly sharing his willingness to sacrifice his own family members for religious causes during a smoke break with Ayad.

Anjum is Latif Awan's wife. She struggles with her husband's increasing dedication to ideological causes and expresses deep dismay over his growing distance from their original family life in the United States.

Christine is a pregnant woman from rural Wisconsin who suffers from a genetic heart condition known as long QT syndrome. She seeks medical counsel from Sikander regarding her medication usage and the potential risks to her unborn child.

Hannah is a lawyer tasked with representing Sikander during a highly stressful malpractice lawsuit. She works diligently to build a scientific defense for his medical decisions while managing the practical challenges of her client's erratic personal behavior.

Trooper Matthew is a white Pennsylvania state trooper who stops to assist Ayad on the highway. His persistent and skeptical questioning about Ayad's origins causes Ayad to feel deeply uneasy and defensive regarding his identity.

John is the owner of an auto repair shop in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He charges Ayad an exorbitant fee for a car repair, leveraging his personal connections to local law enforcement to ensure Ayad complies with the inflated cost.

Emily is the lead actress in Ayad's play. She is introduced to Riaz Rind backstage and quickly finds herself charmed by the wealthy investor's opulent lifestyle and confident demeanor.

Julia is Emily's friend who becomes highly intrigued by the idea of powerful Middle Eastern men. This fascination leads her into a rough sexual encounter with Ayad shortly after meeting him.

Blake is a white man who meets Asha during their college years in Houston. He maintains a turbulent, on-again, off-again relationship with her that frequently complicates her other romantic pursuits.

Thom Powell is the owner of the corporate health care network Reliant Health. He monitors legal challenges against doctors within his network, utilizing corporate strategies to protect the company's financial interests over the individual reputations of the physicians.

Chip Slaughter is the prosecuting attorney who represents Christine Langford's family. He actively utilizes emotional appeals in the courtroom to sway the jury and capitalize on their potential biases.

Melissa is a woman working at a local nightclub whom Ayad briefly encounters. Her presence in his life introduces sudden and jarring complications regarding his understanding of his family circle.

Caroline is a woman connected to Sikander Akhtar. She spends time with him at expensive restaurants and represents the complicated reality of his personal life away from his immediate family.