Reha is a 13-year-old Indian American girl living in the Midwest in 1983. She is an only child who excels academically and harbors a secret desire to become a doctor, even though the sight of blood makes her faint. She constantly feels torn between her parents' cultural expectations and her wish to participate in typical American teenage experiences like school dances and pop music.

Punam, affectionately called Amma by her daughter, is an Indian immigrant who works in a hospital hematology lab. She handles the vast majority of the household labor, from cooking traditional meals to sewing Reha's clothes. She loves her family fiercely but enforces traditional rules that often conflict with Reha's desire for teenage independence.

Reha's father is a precise engineer who emigrated from Bangalore to the United States. He prioritizes education and strongly encourages Reha to apply herself to achieve her goals. He displays a quieter demeanor than his wife, though his anger flashes hot and brief when provoked.

Prema is Amma's older sister who lives in Bangalore with her husband. She maintains a close bond with Amma across the ocean through weekly phone calls and frequent handwritten letters. She serves as Reha's primary connection to her extended family in India and shares a strong physical and vocal resemblance to her sister.

Sunita, known to everyone as Sunny, is an Indian American girl exactly one month older than Reha. Unlike Reha, she grows up in a loud house with several brothers and parents who allow her to engage freely with American teenage culture. She wears fashionable clothes, has her own phone line, and dreams of becoming an actress.

Rachel is an intelligent and confident 13-year-old girl who attends the same private school as Reha. She wears glasses, avoids makeup, and shares Reha's intense dedication to academics. The two girls bond over their shared sense of feeling different from their peers and their specific cultural dietary restrictions.

Pete is an inquisitive boy in Reha's English class who regularly questions traditional narratives. He recently stopped wearing glasses and has a stoic demeanor, rarely showing emotion due to his difficult home life following his parents' divorce. He quickly becomes a source of academic partnership and romantic interest for Reha.

Dr. Andrews is a young physician with brown hair and black-framed glasses who treats Amma at the hospital. She possesses a talent for explaining complex medical concepts clearly and gently to Reha. She displays genuine personal investment in her patients' wellbeing and serves as a professional role model for Reha's medical aspirations.

Vinod is Prema Auntie's husband residing in Bangalore. He and Prema do not have children, which contributes to the pressure Reha feels as the only child carrying the family's expectations for success.

Rupa is Sunny's mother and an active member of the local Indian American community. She steps in to care for Reha and provide transportation when Reha's family faces sudden medical emergencies.

Penelope is Pete's older sister. She provides a welcoming environment for Reha during a difficult family transition, offering an alternative to the pop music Reha usually enjoys.