Blade is a seventeen-year-old high school senior and talented guitarist living in Hollywood. He feels alienated by his wealthy lifestyle and deeply frustrated by his father's public struggles with addiction. Devoted to his girlfriend and heavily influenced by his mother's memory, he relies on songwriting and poetry to process his complicated feelings about his family and his origins.

Rutherford is the former frontman of the famous rock band The Great Whatever. He struggles heavily with substance use disorder following the tragic death of his wife ten years ago. Covered in family-themed tattoos and rarely seen without a guitar, he wants to be a reliable father but consistently fails to maintain his sobriety.

Sunny was Blade and Storm's mother, who died suddenly from a bee sting when Blade was seven. She was a joyful presence who encouraged Blade's early musical talents and maintained a strong bond with her family while on tour. Her memory acts as a guiding force for Blade, who named his custom Frankenstrat guitar in her honor.

Storm is Blade's older sister and an aspiring musician whose first album recently failed. She enjoys the privileges of her family's Hollywood lifestyle and shows more forgiveness toward their father's addiction than Blade does. She tries to maintain peace in the household while dealing with her own insecurities and cyberbullying from an ex-boyfriend.

Chapel is Blade's high school girlfriend and the daughter of a strict pastor. She praises Blade's musical abilities but frequently expects him to use his wealth to buy her gifts and fund shopping trips. She keeps their relationship hidden from her parents, who strongly disapprove of Blade's family background.

Joy is a highly intelligent seventeen-year-old living in Konko, Ghana, where she cares for her elderly uncle. She speaks with a slight British accent and balances numerous responsibilities, including teaching, tutoring, and helping local orphans. She shares a deep love of music and provides a grounded perspective to those around her.

Sia is a five-year-old orphan living in the village of Konko. She is boisterous, constantly smiling, and loves to smack her teeth and wink at people. She quickly attaches herself to newcomers, offering unconditional affection and reminding others of the joy found in community.

Lucy is an ambitious former preschool teacher from Louisiana who moved to Ghana a decade ago to build a school and help the local community. She is deeply connected to Blade's past and represents the missing pieces of his identity that he travels to Africa to uncover.

Robert is a street musician and songwriter who plays the trumpet on the Santa Monica boardwalk. Despite having very little money, he generously gives his earnings to unhoused individuals and refuses financial help. He acts as a grounded advisor to Blade, offering him wisdom about privilege and gratitude.

Van is an aggressive teenager in the Morrisons' social circle. He relentlessly bullies Storm on social media after her album fails and actively seeks to humiliate the Morrison family in public settings, including shouting into a microphone at Storm's own party.

Stevie is the former drummer for Rutherford's band, The Great Whatever. He remains a loyal friend to the Morrison family, spending time at their Hollywood home and offering Blade late-night songwriting advice before graduation.

Birdie is Rutherford's newly hired sober coach. She travels with him to Ghana to monitor his recovery, firmly believing that family support is essential to his success.

Chapel's father is a strict pastor who highly values reputation and appearances. He expressly forbids his daughter from associating with Blade, fearing that Rutherford's scandalous public behavior will negatively influence her.