Araceli is a young, undocumented Mexican immigrant working as a live-in maid for a wealthy Orange County family. Introverted and observant, she views her employment as a self-imposed exile from her past in Mexico City, where she previously had artistic aspirations. She uses scraps from the house to create art in her guesthouse room. When left alone with her employers' children, her strong sense of duty forces her into an unexpected cross-city journey to locate their grandfather.

Scott is a computer programmer and the former co-founder of the software startup MindWare. Following the sale of his failing company, he struggles with financial difficulties resulting from bad investments, a secret he largely hides from his family. He attempts to distance himself from his lower-middle-class upbringing and Mexican heritage, but his financial stress heavily impacts his marriage.

Maureen is a stay-at-home mother striving to maintain the illusion of a perfect, wealthy lifestyle despite her family's mounting financial troubles. Raised in an abusive household, she is fiercely protective of her family's public image and fears external judgment. Her impulsive spending on a desert garden exacerbates the domestic tensions that set the story in motion.

Brandon is the eleven-year-old eldest son of Scott and Maureen. An avid reader of fantasy and adventure stories, he possesses a highly active imagination. He often interprets the gritty realities of Los Angeles through the lens of post-apocalyptic and fantasy fiction, shielding himself from the harsher truths of their physical journey.

Keenan is the eight-year-old middle child of the Torres-Thompson family. More serious and grounded than his older brother, he is the first to grasp the reality of their situation when separated from their parents. He keenly observes the poverty they encounter outside their gated community, gaining a sobering perspective on the wider world.

Ian is a third-ranking member of the district attorney's office who harbors a deep-seated resentment toward undocumented immigrants. Viewing the high-profile missing children case as an opportunity for career advancement, he aggressively pushes to prosecute Araceli, repeatedly coaching the Torres-Thompson family to manipulate public opinion in his favor.

Ruthy is a highly competent, heavily pregnant public defender assigned to Araceli's case. Educated, fashionable, and deeply principled, she encourages Araceli to reject an easy plea deal and fight the charges against her. She serves as a fierce advocate against a heavily biased legal system.

John is Scott's father, a man who has spent much of his life trying to assimilate and erase his Mexican heritage. Though he was previously estranged from the family due to his abrasive comments about the children's racial identities, his old Los Angeles address becomes the target destination for Araceli and the boys during their crisis.

Samantha is the infant daughter of Scott and Maureen. Because of her young age, she is completely dependent on her mother and is the only child Maureen takes with her when she impulsively leaves the house for a spa retreat.

Felipe is an artistically inclined man who meets Araceli at a party and shares her passion for creating art. He becomes a steady presence and a romantic interest, offering her support, transportation, and companionship during her stressful legal battles.

Isabel is a kind woman living in a dangerous Los Angeles neighborhood who takes pity on the stranded travelers. She offers them hot dogs, shelter, and a safe place to rest, providing a crucial lifeline when their initial destination proves empty.

Tomas is the "Other Boy" living with Isabel's family. Having endured a difficult childhood with an abusive parent, he holds a harsh, realistic view of the world that heavily contrasts with Brandon's privileged, fantasy-driven perspective on Los Angeles.

Salomon is Marisela's uncle and a city councilman in Huntington Park. He takes in Araceli and the boys during their journey, attempting to leverage his local political connections to help them locate the boys' missing grandfather.

Lucia is Salomon's daughter, an intelligent young woman who has recently returned home from studying at Princeton. She experiences a degree of cultural whiplash returning to Huntington Park but offers a sympathetic, educated ear to Araceli.

Griselda is an intelligent friend of Lucia's who carries a tragic air. Despite being accepted to an Ivy League university, her status as an undocumented immigrant prevents her from attending, highlighting the hidden anxieties within the community.

Janet is an isolated woman harboring deep prejudices against the growing Hispanic population in her neighborhood. She aggressively channels her resentments into organizing a public, anti-immigrant campaign against Araceli, using the media spectacle to find a sense of personal importance.

Olivia is an observant Child Protective Services official who investigates the household. She quickly senses that the parents are withholding information about their timeline and scrutinizes their fitness as caregivers, posing a significant threat to Maureen's crafted public image.

Sasha is Scott's former co-founder at MindWare. Boisterous and prone to lavish spending, his drunken antics at a birthday party expose the family's underlying domestic tensions and casually air his cultural prejudices to a crowd of uncomfortable guests.

Charlotte is a coworker of Scott's who admires his early programming work. She provides him with an escapist retreat when he abandons his family responsibilities, allowing him to briefly revert to a carefree lifestyle.

Marisela is Araceli's outgoing friend who originally helped her secure the housekeeping job. She represents a lively connection to Mexican-American culture that Araceli misses during her daily work in the gated community.

Ernie is the responding police officer who takes the initial missing persons report. Influenced by border control horror stories, he immediately suspects Araceli of kidnapping the boys to Mexico, escalating the situation based on her immigration status.

Mike is a detective working alongside the district attorney's office. Unlike his aggressive colleagues, he adopts a kinder approach during interrogations and offers Araceli food, though he remains tasked with finding evidence against her.

Stephanie is a wealthy friend of Maureen's who observes the growing public scandal. She outwardly supports her friend but privately disapproves of Maureen's shifting narrative and lack of accountability regarding the children's disappearance.