Ike is a Black man and former gang enforcer known as "Riot Randolph" who spent 15 years in prison. He now runs Randolph Lawn Maintenance and strives to maintain a clean, respectable life. He harbors deep regret over failing to accept his son's sexuality before the murder. His grief pushes him back toward the violent skills he swore to leave behind.

Buddy Lee is a white, heavy-drinking former debt collector who lives in a trailer park. He was raised with casually racist and anti-gay attitudes, which alienated him from his son. He possesses a talent for reading people and spotting their "tells" when they lie. He views the search for his son's killers as an opportunity to put his violent tendencies to use.

Tangerine is a transgender woman who becomes the focal point of the mystery surrounding the murders. She was preparing to give an interview to Isiah about her relationship with a powerful man. She lives in hiding, fearing for her life after the violence directed at the reporters who tried to help her.

Grayson is the president of the local chapter of the Rare Breed motorcycle gang. He is a vicious, cunning leader who directs his men using fear and violence. He takes orders from a wealthy benefactor but resents being controlled by outsiders.

Gerald is a wealthy judge preparing to launch a political campaign for governor. He maintains a pristine public image that caters to conservative constituents. He possesses vast resources and feels entitled to use them to bury any threats to his reputation.

Mya is Ike's wife, consumed by the overwhelming grief of losing her son. She struggles to maintain her connection to her husband during the tragedy. She eventually recognizes that Ike's pursuit of the killers, even if violent, is something he needs to do. She also possesses medical knowledge that proves useful during emergencies.

Isiah was a gentle, athletic reporter working for The Rainbow Review. He lacked his father's violent instincts, preferring intellectual pursuits and a quiet family life. He was investigating a dangerous story just before he and his husband were executed.

Derek was a bright, optimistic man who worked at Essential Events Bakery and was expecting a promotion. He maintained a positive outlook that stood in sharp contrast to his father's rough, pessimistic nature. He encouraged Isiah to pursue the story that ultimately led to their deaths.

Arianna is the three-year-old biological daughter of Isiah, raised by both Isiah and Derek. She does not fully comprehend the permanence of her fathers' deaths. She serves as the primary motivation for her grandfathers to seek justice and secure her future.

Detective LaPlata is an investigator assigned to the murders of Isiah and Derek. He treats the case strictly by the book but struggles to make progress due to a lack of cooperating witnesses. He warns Ike and Buddy Lee against taking the law into their own hands.

Christine is Buddy Lee's ex-wife and Derek's mother. She left Buddy Lee during his second prison sentence and eventually married a wealthy judge. She abstained from attending her son's funeral to protect her new husband's political optics, a decision that causes her profound guilt.

Jazzy is the secretary at Randolph Lawn Maintenance. She manages the administrative side of Ike's business and acts as a loyal employee. She demonstrates quick thinking and courage when the shop is threatened by armed men.

Amelia is the editor of the publication where Isiah worked as a reporter. She is a lesbian whose own father rejected her, giving her immediate insight into the strained relationships Ike and Buddy Lee had with their sons. She points the fathers toward the Blue Anarchists as a potential lead.

Dome serves as the vice president of the Rare Breed motorcycle club. He is loyal to Grayson and participates directly in the club's violent intimidation tactics. He acts as the primary enforcer on the ground during attacks against Ike's family.

Tariq, also known as Mr. Get Down, is a music producer who projects the image of a hardened gangster online. He surrounds himself with bodyguards to maintain his tough persona but relies on actual criminals to handle real threats. He possesses information regarding Tangerine's whereabouts.

Slice is a legitimate and dangerous gang leader who took over the North River Boys after his brother Luther's death. He holds a grudge against Ike over past prison alliances and broken promises. He views information as a commodity and is willing to trade it for tactical advantages.

Margo is Buddy Lee's neighbor in the trailer park. She extends basic human kindness to him, checking on his well-being when he is intoxicated. She represents one of the few positive, non-judgmental relationships in his isolated life.

Andy is a prospective member of the Rare Breed motorcycle club. He embraces the violent lifestyle of the gang and willingly breaks into Isiah and Derek's home. His encounter with the grieving fathers escalates the war between the bikers and the protagonists.

Oscar is another prospective member of the Rare Breed seeking to earn his full patch. He participates in the break-in at the victims' house but is caught off guard when the fathers arrive. He manages to report back to the club, setting the gang on Ike's trail.