Mira is an 18-year-old talented high school golfer living in the wealthy suburb of Tallmadge, New York. Her prodigious skill isolates her socially and draws the attention of older men, notably the much older, married club member Theo Catton. Following a tragic accident at the driving range, she struggles with intense guilt, trauma, and the social ramifications of her actions, leading to a year of heavy substance use in New York City.

Kenny is a 17-year-old caddy at the Tallmadge Country Club. Coming from a less affluent background than many of the club's members, he often feels judged and out of place, especially when working for the parents of his classmates. He is known to be shy and quiet, though he harbors a richer inner life and private interests that most of his peers overlook.

Theo is a 47-year-old married man and a prominent member of the Tallmadge Country Club. He projects a sophisticated and attentive demeanor, which he uses to groom and exploit a teenage Mira. Confident in his social standing, he leverages the country club's rigid hierarchy to maintain his secret relationship while expecting immunity from the consequences.

Dennis is a 45-year-old NYU professor and novelist living in Manhattan. He meets Mira during her "gap year" and encourages her to write about her trauma as a form of catharsis. While he presents himself as a supportive intellectual figure, he exhibits a controlling nature and reacts poorly when Mira's writing threatens his own self-image.

Ethan is a 29-year-old Vietnam veteran and college freshman at Amherst. Introduced to Mira through her roommate, he offers a grounded, nonjudgmental presence in her life. Having experienced his own trauma, he provides a supportive and protective influence when she faces social ostracization at school.

Peter is Mira's father and a successful contracts lawyer in Tallmadge. He filters the family's crises through a strictly legal and financial lens, prioritizing damage control and liability over his daughter's emotional wellbeing. His classist worldview and professional detachment often prevent him from providing the emotional support his family needs.

Alexis is Mira's mother, a proper but emotionally distant woman conducting her own private indiscretions. She tends to avoid difficult truths, preferring superficial comfort over confronting the deep trauma affecting her daughter. Her reliance on alcohol and her secret affair reflect the broader hypocrisies of their suburban community.

Harry is the golf professional at the Tallmadge Country Club. His identity is heavily tied to his professional standing and authority on the course. He harbors deep resentment toward Mira, as her prodigious talent as a teenage girl threatens his ego and disrupts the male-dominated hierarchy of the club.

Nick is Kenny's father, a man who produces local television commercials. Positioned outside the elite social circle of the Tallmadge Country Club, he is a grieving parent who unexpectedly holds a crucial piece of information. Despite his immense loss, he is motivated by a desire to prevent further harm to other families.

Sharon is Kenny's mother, completely devastated by the sudden loss of her son. Initially reported to be angry and looking for someone to blame, she surprises Mira with unexpected grace. She recognizes the shared trauma of the event and offers a moment of genuine human connection during the legal and social chaos.

Cleon Barker is the defense attorney hired to protect Mira from both civil and criminal liability. He approaches the case with calculated strategy, focusing entirely on crafting a plausible narrative for the jury rather than seeking objective truth. He is pragmatic and willing to attack the character of others to secure his client's freedom.

Detective Marino is a local police officer tasked with investigating the circumstances of Kenny's death. He brings a preconceived bias to the case, remembering Mira's past impulsive behavior. His investigation demonstrates a narrow focus, targeting convenient suspects while ignoring broader possibilities.

Olivia is Kenny's younger sister. Dealing with the sudden loss of her brother, she attempts to find closure by connecting with the girl responsible for the accident. She carries the heavy burden of her family's grief and holds private memories of her brother's hidden life.

Spencer is Mira's older brother, a seemingly perfect son who serves as a foil to her troubled existence. He attempts to offer comfort and absolve his sister of guilt from afar, though his unblemished record occasionally sparks jealousy in Mira.

Sam is a neighbor of the Winston family who engages in a private, adult affair with Alexis Winston. His relationship serves as a stark contrast to the predatory dynamic between Mira and Theo Catton.

Marie is Mira's high school friend who provides companionship during the turbulent summer. While she initially offers support, her loyalty wavers under the pressure of community gossip and the severe social stigma attached to Mira's actions.

Tina is Mira's college roommate who initially offers a fresh start away from Tallmadge. However, when the truth about Mira's past surfaces, Tina acts as a moral judge, joining the campus condemnation and quickly abandoning her roommate.

Eric Lindley is the district attorney who charges Mira with involuntary manslaughter. He leverages class prejudice and constructs a narrative of a spoiled, entitled teenager to sway the jury. His personal friendship with Theo's ex-wife adds a layer of questionable bias to his aggressive prosecution.

Eleanor is Theo Catton's wife, a woman deeply integrated into the Tallmadge Country Club's social scene. The revelation of her husband's affair with a teenager shatters her marriage and prompts the local community to rally around her in sympathy.

Curt is an assistant at the Tallmadge Country Club who works directly under Harry Fallows. He observes the daily interactions on the golf course and later provides critical testimony regarding the events leading up to the tragedy.

Jerry Corbin is a local detective assigned to investigate the fatal accident at the country club. He follows the lead of his partner, executing search warrants and participating in the interrogations that ultimately target Mira.