Jess is a 34-year-old Italian American divorcee living in her parents' basement in Lake Como, New Jersey. She works for her uncle's company, Capodimonte Marble and Stone, while struggling with lifelong anxiety and panic attacks. Tired of acting as the default cook, maid, and babysitter for her large family, she begins online therapy and plans a trip to Italy to build independence and discover what truly makes her happy.

Louie is Jess's uncle and the owner of Capodimonte Marble and Stone. Known for wearing sharp suits and possessing an old-fashioned charm, he is fiercely dedicated to his nieces and nephew. He plans to take Jess to the Italian marble quarries and groom her to inherit his business, though he harbors closely guarded secrets regarding his secondary corporate accounts.

Philomena is Jess's mother and the formidable matriarch of the Baratta family. Often compared to a grenade by her children, she struggles to handle conflict constructively and frequently punishes family members with the silent treatment. She firmly believes in traditional gender roles and has deeply ingrained fears regarding her youngest daughter's independence.

Bobby is Jess's recently divorced ex-husband and a celebrated local figure in Lake Como, New Jersey. Tall, muscular, and charismatic, he is universally adored by the tight-knit Italian American community. He is a practical man who expects traditional marital roles and struggles to understand why Jess chose to end their marriage.

Angelo is an Italian artisan living in Carrara, specializing in gilding marble with gold leaf. Initially coming across as surly and guarded, he is deeply passionate about his artistic craft and finds spiritual fulfillment in his work. He serves as a contrast to the practical men in Jess's hometown by representing the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Italy.

Joe is Jess's father and an insurance adjuster who handles Capodimonte Marble and Stone's claims. He is a quiet but steadfast presence in the Baratta household, often acting as a buffer for his wife's temper. While he loves his children, he aligns with his wife in keeping protective secrets and maintaining rigid expectations for his daughters.

Connie is Jess's older sister, a married mother of three living within the tight-knit Lake Como community. She comfortably fits into the expected roles of an Italian American daughter and relies heavily on Jess to act as a built-in babysitter and caretaker for their parents.

Joe Jr. is Jess's brother, a successful lawyer who benefited greatly from their parents' financial sacrifices. He maintains a close relationship with his siblings but is largely insulated from the domestic caretaking burdens that fall onto Jess's shoulders.

Lil is Louie's wife and an aunt to Jess. Unable to have children of her own, she has cultivated a quiet, observant presence within the loud Baratta-Capodimonte clan. She understands what it feels like to be an outsider in the family and serves as a safe, non-judgmental refuge for Jess.

Conor is Louie's trusted shipping partner based in Italy. He acts as a welcoming guide and professional contact for Jess when she first arrives in Carrara. Warm and established in the local community, he helps bridge the gap between Jess's New Jersey life and her new Italian surroundings.

Laura is Jess's landlady in Italy and Angelo's mother. She manages a beautiful property overlooking the local piazza. Her occasional struggles with anxiety allow Jess to step into a supportive role and realize her own newfound strength.

Mauro manages the historic Italian marble quarries that once supplied famous sculptors. He is a passionate professional who appreciates traditional mining methods and eagerly does business with the Capodimonte family.

Campovilla is an FBI agent assigned to investigate the financial irregularities surrounding Louie's secondary marble corporation, the "Elegant Gangster." He is persistent but professional in his pursuit of offshore tax evasion cases.

Claudia is an Italian woman who fell in love with a young American man decades ago. She lives in Carrara, where she serves the region's famous dishes and maintains a quiet life shaped by family secrets.

Lisa is Jess's friend and hairdresser. Deeply entrenched in the local Lake Como culture, she holds traditional views on romance and secretly admires the community's favorite men.

Farah is an engineer and professor from London who visits Italy frequently. She bonds with Jess over their shared experiences of challenging family expectations to live authentically.

Babe is Bobby's mother and Jess's former mother-in-law. She is highly invested in her son's life and actively colludes with Jess's mother to push for a marital reconciliation.

Dalia is a young Italian woman currently dating Angelo. She is briefly introduced as a presence in his life before their relationship dynamics shift.

Gaetano is Conor Kerrigan's husband. He is a warm, welcoming local in Italy who helps Jess feel at home during the holidays.

Googs is a business associate from New Jersey who helped facilitate the "Elegant Gangster" operations. He appreciates the simple joys of life despite facing legal trouble.