Born on the exact day their grandmother Ahunna passes away, bearing an identical starfish-shaped scar on their foot. Growing up in 1990s Nigeria, Vivek experiences dissociative blackouts that offer brief escapes from reality. Sensitive and searching for an authentic identity, Vivek grows their hair long, sparking concern and division within the conservative extended family.

Vivek's cousin and the son of Mary and Ekene. Raised in a strict, conservative household, Osita projects an aggressive, hypermasculine exterior. Internally, he wrestles with profound confusion and fear regarding his own desires, often masking his vulnerabilities with defensive anger or avoidance.

An Indian-born woman who marries Chika and settles in Nigeria. Kavita is a fiercely protective and determined mother who constantly worries about Vivek's blackouts and changing appearance. She stands as a buffer between her child and the harsh judgments of her conservative in-laws, even as she wrestles with her own confusion over Vivek's identity.

The daughter of Maja, Juju grows into a fiercely protective and understanding young woman. After reuniting with her childhood peers, she becomes a central anchor in their friend group. Juju wrestles with her own complex romantic feelings while trying to handle the fractured dynamic of her parents' marriage.

Vivek's father, who works as an accountant at a glass factory in Ngwa. Chika is initially drawn to his brother's wife before meeting and marrying Kavita. He quietly harbors traditional Igbo superstitions regarding reincarnation, particularly concerning the matching foot scars shared by his mother and his child.

Ekene's wife and Osita's mother. Following a series of personal tragedies, Mary becomes increasingly consumed by religious fervor. Her conservative beliefs lead her to interpret nonconforming behavior as demonic influence, making her a dangerous presence to those who step outside strict traditional boundaries.

Chika's brother and Osita's father. Ekene embodies the patriarchal norms of 1990s Nigerian society. He frequently expresses discomfort with any softness or divergence from traditional masculinity within the family, applying pressure on his relatives to conform to societal expectations.

The daughter of Rhatha and sister to Olunne. Somto transitions from a gossiping schoolgirl into a fierce, loyal young woman. She provides an essential, non-judgmental space for her friends to explore their identities away from the prying eyes of conservative adults.

Sister to Somto and part of a tight-knit community of multi-cultural families. Olunne is observant and kind, helping to break through the isolation that plagues her peers. She actively validates her friends' true selves, praising their unique traits rather than enforcing conformity.

Chika's mother and the beloved matriarch of the family. She dies on the exact day her grandchild is born. The starfish-shaped scar on her foot becomes a point of mystical significance, linking her spirit to the next generation in the eyes of her superstitious son.

An elegant and athletic young woman who seeks refuge from her father's heavy drinking by spending time at her friends' houses. She manages complex romantic dynamics within her social circle, searching for genuine connection away from her troubled home life.

Juju's mother and a friend of Kavita's. Maja endures a difficult marriage characterized by her husband's neglect. She displays occasional flashes of internalized misogyny but fiercely guards her daughter's privacy when outsiders try to pry.

Juju's father. He maintains a controlling but distant presence in his household, treating his wife and daughter with a possessiveness that masks his underlying neglect and secretive behavior.

An acquaintance in the neighborhood who becomes entangled with Chika. Their connection is driven more by convenience and distraction than by genuine affection.

A young man from the neighborhood who initially clashes with Vivek when they are young. As an adult, he unexpectedly intervenes to help during a political riot, showing a hidden, more conflicted side to his character.

A local tradesman who initially admires his wife's independence but soon falls back into restrictive, traditional expectations regarding gender and family. His insecurities lead him to seek validation outside his marriage before a crisis forces him to reevaluate his priorities.

Ebenezer's tenacious and hardworking wife. She defies the traditional gender roles expected by her in-laws, facing criticism for prioritizing her successful market trade over domestic expectations.

A local food vendor who offers an escape for Ebenezer when he feels emasculated by his wife's independence.

Kavita's uncle and the company doctor at the glass factory. He serves as a bridge between the Nigerian community and his Indian family, explaining the complexities of Kavita's background to her future husband.

The mother of Somto and Olunne. She represents the inquisitive and sometimes intrusive nature of the local community of mothers, eager for gossip but kept at arm's length by her own daughters.