Aurora is a vibrant Mexican-American student who passionately listens to 1980s British MTV musicians, notably Morrissey. She frequently acts as an English translator for her mother, yet the two constantly clash over cultural expectations. Aurora aggressively guards her personal independence and refuses to limit her identity strictly to her ethnic background.

Hector is an undocumented immigrant who works as a day laborer after losing his long-term job as a busboy at an upscale restaurant. He speaks fluent English and initially marries to secure a place in the United States. He frequently resorts to lying as a survival mechanism in a country that continuously limits his options.

Felicia is a resourceful house cleaner who grew up in Los Angeles but speaks very little English. She relies on her daughter for translation and tries to bond with her over popular music, though they frequently argue. She secures employment with a wealthy family and forms a silent, emotional bond with the lady of the house.

Angie is a young woman obsessed with the pop star Gwen Stefani, enthusiastically collecting the singer's clothing lines. She desires to leave her impoverished neighborhood and actively seeks employment in whiter, more affluent suburbs. She views friendships practically, believing people naturally outgrow one another.

Manny Jr. is a retired gang member adjusting to life as a civilian in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. He approaches his daily life cautiously, actively trying to avoid the violent mistakes of his father. He eats at local coffee shops and privately worries about his son's military ambitions.

Brando is a middle-school student raised as Native American who feels out of place in a classroom divided between Vietnamese and Mexican students. Because his parents buy him a television with MTV, he becomes a cultural translator for his peers. He awkwardly rejects a dance invitation from a Mexican classmate, an action he later deeply regrets.

Alma is a three-year-old girl who attends a gathering outside the El Guanaco mercado. During this gathering, local girls dance in pop-star costumes before a drive-by shooting erupts. Following the tragedy, the neighborhood paints murals and builds shrines in her honor, treating her as a modern-day saint.

Mrs. Calhoun is a wealthy woman living in a large, upscale home with her secretly unfaithful husband. She experiences profound sadness and isolation within her marriage. She prefers silent companionship, exchanging written notes with her house cleaner rather than engaging in spoken conversation.

Beatriz is a fiercely independent woman who survived an abusive childhood by cultivating a cold, defensive exterior. She lives in a large Victorian home and turns away her own family members who request financial support. She obsessively hoards winter coats in an attempt to cure a supernatural chill.

The Mexican incarnation of the Virgin Mary appears at an Echo Park bus stop wearing a pantsuit and flat nurse's shoes. She delivers spiritual warnings about the dangers of emotional isolation. She leaves behind a trail of rose petals in the city trash cans.

Cristina works as a supermarket checkout woman and models her appearance after vintage Hollywood movie stars like Rita Hayworth. She covers her walls with framed celebrity portraits that she dusts religiously. As she ages, she suffers from severe depression over her changing physical appearance.

Duchess is a confident bank teller who designs and sews her own clothing. She takes immense pride in her neighborhood and boasts about her mother's status as a gang queen. She views life optimistically and actively refuses to leave Echo Park for the suburbs.

Juan is a rebellious young man who decides to enlist in the army. He causes tension in his household by pursuing romantic relationships outside of his Mexican-American ethnicity. He leaves behind cryptic letters and drawings that confuse his family.

Manny Sr. is a lifelong gang participant whose violent actions heavily influence his children. His involvement in local shootings instills a deep sense of guilt and caution in his oldest son. He approaches fatherhood with aggressive, toxic expectations.

Efren is a city bus driver who takes his job incredibly seriously, strictly adhering to every municipal rule. He left his home as a teenager to avoid gang initiation at the hands of his brother. He harbors deep prejudices against non-English speakers and actively avoids intervening in passenger disputes.

Ofelia is a fiercely intellectual woman with a degree in Chicano Studies who passionately supports her local community. She strongly opposes interracial dating and demands loyalty to her Mexican-American heritage. She uses her sharp wit to criticize anyone who strays from her traditional values.

Freddy is a professional thief who takes pride in operating independently rather than joining the Mexican Mafia. He discovers targets by loitering on street corners and listening to private conversations. After spending years in the prison system, he returns to Echo Park and struggles to understand the new, affluent residents.

The Lord is a mysterious local resident who lives in a trailer near Echo Park Lake. He works as a dog trainer and watches over the neighborhood animals. He steps in to protect lost pets, dictating when they are allowed to return to their owners.

Diego is an experienced, honest day laborer who looks out for his fellow workers. He shares his knowledge of the exploitative job market with newer laborers. He attempts to secure fair wages while working construction jobs.

Tran is a young Vietnamese woman whose family owns a local restaurant. She dates a Mexican-American boy during college and faces constant public prejudice when they go out together. She bonds with her boyfriend's father over cooking and family traditions.

Phoc is a Vietnamese immigrant who runs a family restaurant called Saigon Falls. He shares a mutual respect for hard work with his daughter's boyfriend's father. He eventually loses his business to neighborhood gentrification.

David is a construction contractor who hires undocumented immigrants from hardware store parking lots. He attempts to buy the silence of his workers with cash bribes and upscale dinners. He uses the threat of deportation to maintain control over his crew.

Adam is the physically imposing son of a local construction contractor. He acts as an enforcer on the job site, ensuring the undocumented laborers remain compliant through intimidation.

Father Alemencio is a street priest who listens to the confessions and worries of the local neighborhood residents. He offers pragmatic, grounding advice to those experiencing supernatural or deeply emotional crises.

Debbie is a white store worker at Contempo Casuals in the affluent Glendale mall. She represents the world outside Echo Park that younger residents aspire to join.

Vince is a later-in-life romantic partner for Felicia. He supports her as she considers moving away from the changing Echo Park neighborhood to start fresh in San Diego.

Lorenzo runs an old neighborhood furniture store that serves as a community institution. He relies on younger residents to help deliver goods to reclusive locals.