King is a Black American man in his thirties who returns to Pittsburgh's Hill District after serving a seven-year prison sentence. He bears a long scar down the side of his face from a past altercation. Driven by a desire for financial stability, he plants seeds in his barren dirt yard and dreams of opening a legitimate video store. Due to his criminal record and limited local opportunities, he currently supports himself by selling discounted refrigerators with his friend.

Tonya is King's thirty-five-year-old wife. Having raised her first child at the age of seventeen, she possesses a highly pragmatic view of life in her under-resourced neighborhood. She is currently pregnant but feels exhausted by the constant threat of violence and financial instability surrounding her family. She desires a safe, predictable life and actively objects to her husband's illegal business ventures.

Ruby is King's mother and a former big-band singer in her sixties. She spent much of her adulthood traveling for her music career, leaving her son in Pittsburgh to be raised by her aunt. She recently returned to the city and intends to move into a retirement facility. She frequently criticizes her son's lifestyle choices and illegal activities, though she maintains a blind spot for her own questionable romantic partners.

Elmore is a professional hustler and Ruby's longtime, on-and-off boyfriend. He arrives in town wearing sharp but visibly worn clothes, carrying a pearl-handled derringer pistol. He claims he wants to settle down permanently, but his history of abandoning his partners makes others suspicious of his true intentions. He maintains a polite, old-fashioned demeanor that masks a history of violence.

Mister is King's closest childhood friend. Always polite and sharply dressed, he shares King's ambition to open a legal video store. Because legitimate jobs are scarce, he currently partners with King to sell stolen refrigerators. He carries deep frustration over the discrimination he faced in his youth, remembering teachers who told him he would only ever amount to a janitor.

Stool Pigeon is a sixty-five-year-old man who lives next door to King. He acts as the neighborhood truth sayer, regularly quoting the Bible and hoarding old newspapers in his house. He feeds stray cats in his backyard and frequently warns his neighbors that divine judgment is approaching. He views the recent death of a local spiritual leader as an omen of impending disaster.

Aunt Ester is the legendary local matriarch of the Hill District. She is said to be hundreds of years old and serves as the ultimate source of wisdom for the community. Although she passes away as the story begins, her influence continues to guide the older generation.

Pernell is a neighborhood man whose past conflict with King resulted in a fatal encounter. His surviving family members, including a young son and a vengeful cousin, remain active in the community and continue to impact King's life.

Neesi is King's former girlfriend. Though she recently died in a tragic car accident, King continues to mourn her passing and regularly visits her grave for emotional comfort.

Natasha is Tonya's teenage daughter. Her mother worries constantly that Natasha will repeat the same mistakes she made in her own youth due to the lack of local resources.

Louise is Ruby's aunt who provided a stable home for King during his childhood. Following her recent passing, she leaves behind her property, which Ruby now plans to sell.

Deanna is Mister's ex-partner. She recently ended their relationship because she demanded he change his behavior and failed to appreciate him for who he was.