Griffin is a 14-year-old freshman living in Manhattan and attending Boyd, a prestigious private school. He acts professionally to pay his own tuition, currently holding a recurring role on the television series *The Nuclear Family*. Alongside his stressful acting career, he wrestles at school and attempts to balance the heavy expectations placed on him by authority figures. He is highly observant of adult behavior but struggles to articulate his personal needs.

Naomi is a 36-year-old mother of two living in a large home in Great Neck. Married to a wealthy man, she experiences loneliness and seeks emotional connection outside her marriage. She takes an intense interest in Griffin, frequently waiting outside Juilliard to offer him car rides. Her attention provides Griffin a place to voice his frustrations, though her behavior increasingly crosses appropriate boundaries.

Shel is a stage and commercial actor who has struggled to achieve his dream of starring in major films. He places the financial burden of Griffin's private school tuition squarely on his son's acting earnings. He pushes Griffin to succeed in the entertainment industry as a way to fulfill his own unachieved ambitions. His focus on the theater often distracts him from the emotional realities of his household.

Mr. Kepplemen is the wrestling coach at Boyd. He maintains punishing standards for his athletes, particularly concerning their weight classes. He uses his position of authority to isolate and abuse the students under his care. He hides his predatory behavior behind the guise of a demanding athletic mentor.

Oren is Griffin's younger brother, living with the family in their Upper West Side apartment. He possesses a vibrant personality and frequently instigates mischievous activities, such as snooping in friends' homes. He pays close attention to the shifting dynamics of his parents' marriage and serves as a sounding board for Griffin.

Amanda is an attractive high school student who attends Nightingale-Bamford. She meets Griffin after recognizing him from *The Nuclear Family* and asks for his autograph. She divides her time between her parents following their divorce and maintains a busy social schedule. Her sweet demeanor captivates Griffin, though she remains emotionally unreadable at times.

Lily is Griffin and Oren's mother, managing the household in Manhattan. She maintains a quiet presence, generally deferring to Shel's decisions regarding their children's futures. Her primary allegiance lies with her husband, which sometimes leaves her emotionally distant when her sons need an advocate.

Elliott is a psychologist who treats every member of the Hurt family. He meets with Griffin regularly, taking him on walks to the local diner to converse. He tends to offer abstract historical analogies rather than direct advice for Griffin's immediate problems.

Sam is a wealthy businessman and Naomi's husband. He lives in a large home in Great Neck and drives a fast sports car. He possesses a volatile temper that frequently surfaces in fights with his wife, though he occasionally exhibits a generous attitude toward younger men.

Alan Hornbeam is a famous and influential film director. He casts Griffin in the movie *Take Two*, recognizing the teenager's ability to channel authentic emotion into his performances. He expects his actors to deeply understand story structure.

Cliff is a student at Boyd and one of Griffin's friends on the wrestling team. He participates in the high-pressure environment cultivated by Coach Kepplemen. He occasionally acts out with aggression and physical violence against his peers.

Tanner is a student at Boyd who wrestles and socializes with Griffin. He lives on the Upper East Side with his parents. He often joins his friends in rebellious acts and masks his adolescent anxieties behind bravado.

Al is a longtime friend of the Hurt family who formerly lived next door to them at Lincoln Towers. He provides a steady presence for Lily and offers a safe haven in Montauk when family tensions escalate.

Brent is Griffin's talent agent at the Billy Kidd Talent Agency. He manages Griffin's schedule and secures auditions. He constantly reminds Griffin of the long-term career benefits of securing major film roles.

Rob is a high school student who dates Amanda West. He smokes cigarettes under the school stairs and projects a relaxed confidence that Griffin observes closely.

Dolores is Amanda's mother. She lives with her daughter and frequently expresses open disdain for Amanda's boyfriend. She exhibits a highly emotional temperament at home.

Damiano is the high school drama instructor at Boyd. He views Griffin as a star pupil and places heavy pressure on him to commit to the school play, disregarding the teenager's external acting commitments.

Simon is a classmate of Griffin at Boyd. He follows the rules and reports academic dishonesty, which makes him a target for physical bullying by Griffin's friends on the wrestling team.

Aunt Maine is Griffin's relative who lives in Virginia. She provides a warm environment filled with food and family activities, offering a temporary reprieve from the pressures of New York.

Mr. West is Amanda's father and an English professor. He splits his time between the city and a summer house in Westhampton with his new wife. He attempts to be hospitable to Griffin, even when his daughter acts dismissively.

Principal Fistly oversees the administration at Boyd. He manages disciplinary actions and relocates problematic staff members rather than addressing the root causes of their behavior.

Lynn is Elliott Barr's wife. She lives in Great Neck and hosts gatherings that bring together the various adult figures in Griffin's life.