Patrick is a 43-year-old former sitcom star living a reclusive life in Palm Springs, California. After the death of his partner, Joe, he retreated from his acting career and isolated himself from his family. Known affectionately and sometimes begrudgingly as "Guncle" (Gay Uncle Pat), he uses campy humor to deflect serious emotions. He suddenly finds himself responsible for his brother's children for the summer, forcing him to confront his carefully maintained solitude.

Patrick's nine-year-old niece. She possesses a fiery, resilient personality that strongly reminds Patrick of her mother, Sara. Deeply affected by her mother's recent death, she lacks the emotional tools to fully process her loss and frequently cycles through sadness and anger. She is highly observant and technologically savvy, often finding comfort in recording and posting videos online.

Patrick's six-year-old nephew. Hyperactive and focused on immediate gratification, he does not fully comprehend the finality of his mother's death. He views his time in Palm Springs as a day-to-day adventure involving swimming pools and new toys. He happily accepts his uncle's whimsical authority without questioning his unconventional methods.

Patrick's brother and the widowed father of Maisie and Grant. Overwhelmed by his wife Sara's death and battling a three-year addiction to pills, he checks into a 90-day rehab facility in California. He leaves his children in Patrick's care, hoping the shared grief will help both his brother and his kids heal during his absence.

Patrick and Greg's older sister. Living in Connecticut, she presents herself as a structured, responsible parent and serves as the family's traditional authority figure. She is highly critical of Patrick's freewheeling lifestyle and child-rearing capabilities. She harbors long-standing resentments toward her brother and often clashes with him over family decisions.

Patrick's neighbors in Palm Springs, consisting of three men—John, Eduardo, and Dwayne—in a stable, long-term polyamorous relationship. They are supportive friends to Patrick who long for children of their own but face systemic and legal barriers to adoption. John, a former minister, often acts as the primary voice for the trio and offers Patrick grounded advice.

An ambitious assistant to Patrick's literary agent, Neal. She understands Patrick's creative passions, particularly his love for theater, far better than her boss does. She works persistently to coax the former sitcom star back into the entertainment industry, using sharp organizational skills and industry know-how to make a case for his return.

A handsome, young, up-and-coming television actor. He strikes up a romantic connection with Patrick at a splashy industry party. Initially appearing as just another attractive Hollywood arrival, he proves surprisingly perceptive about the older man's underlying sadness and is willing to engage with Patrick's complicated current life.

Patrick's beloved best friend, Greg's wife, and the mother of Maisie and Grant. Though she dies before the primary events of the story, her fierce, honest, and joyful presence remains a powerful force in the lives of her surviving family members. She was Patrick's closest confidante during his youth in New York, and he views his memories of her college-aged rebellion as her truest self.

Patrick's long-term partner who was killed by a drunk driver over a decade ago. His tragic death fundamentally altered Patrick's life, prompting his retreat from society and Hollywood. Because their relationship predated the legalization of gay marriage, Joe's intolerant family excluded Patrick from medical decisions during his final days.

Patrick's Hollywood literary agent. He prioritizes conventional industry success and remains entirely disconnected from Patrick's true artistic desires. His lack of understanding creates friction when Patrick begins reevaluating his career priorities.