Ranee is the traditional, strong-willed matriarch of the Das family. Having grown up in a Bengali village and entered an arranged marriage at eighteen, she prioritizes social standing and her daughters' education. She maintains strict cultural expectations for her family, leading to frequent clashes with her independent children as they adjust to life in the United States.

Tara is Ranee and Rajeev's beautiful, sweet-tempered older daughter. She uses acting to cope with her family's frequent international moves, adopting the personas of television characters to gain poise in unfamiliar situations. At home, she frequently acts as a mediator, attempting to keep the peace during her parents' heated arguments.

Sonia is the brilliant, strong-willed younger daughter of Ranee and Rajeev. Passionate about women's rights and equality, she finds empowerment through reading classic literature and recording her private thoughts in a diary. Her firm beliefs and fierce independence often put her at odds with her mother's prejudices and strict rules.

Chantal is the outgoing daughter of Sonia and Lou. Nicknamed Shanti, meaning "peace" in Bangla, she excels in mathematics and traditional Kathak dance. She works to find a balance between her Black and Bengali heritage while frequently playing the role of peacemaker for her strong-willed relatives.

Anna is the creative, argumentative daughter of Tara and Amit. Raised in Mumbai, she experiences intense culture shock upon transferring to an American high school. She proudly holds onto her Bengali heritage and channels her determination into fashion design and advocating for the comfort of her peers.

Rajeev is the loving, supportive father of Sonia and Tara. An engineer who takes contracts across the globe, his career causes the family to move frequently and creates financial stress. Despite domestic tension, he maintains a sweet demeanor and actively encourages his daughters to pursue their unique talents.

Lou is a handsome Black student and varsity football player known for his skills as a ceramicist. Holding a strong Catholic faith, he expresses a sincere commitment to women's liberation, earning a place as the second member of Sonia's club and eventually traveling to Paris for an essay contest.

Amit is an affluent, American-born Bengali young man. He serves as a polite and patient companion to Tara, offering her a bridge to her family's cultural roots while respecting her hesitations about tradition.

Grandma Rose is Lou's mother and a high school drama instructor. She dotes heavily on her granddaughter Chantal, sometimes treating her relationship with Ranee like a competition for the teenager's affection.

Martin is an intelligent and highly affluent white high school student. His extreme wealth initially makes Chantal anxious, but he demonstrates a considerate nature that values people over expensive possessions.

Sahara is Sonia's perceptive and loyal best friend at Ridgeford High. She looks out for Sonia's emotional well-being and vouches for Lou's character when he asks to join their club.

Darnell is a kind and attentive young Black man who lives next door to Ranee. He possesses a peaceful demeanor and shares thoughtful conversations about conservation and social issues.

Gerald is a Black teenager living in the Das family's Flushing neighborhood. He playfully tries to befriend the guarded Sonia, eventually sharing moments of levity with her before her family relocates.

Big Harm is an older Bengali woman living near the Das family. She frequently pries into her neighbors' business and voices harsh, colorist criticisms that infuriate Sonia.

Principal Daniels is an administrator whose confident bearing reminds Tara of a popular television character. He recognizes Sonia's academic brilliance and negotiates class placements with Ranee.

Ms. Barry is the drama teacher at Ridgeford High. She quickly recognizes Tara's natural stage presence and casts her as an understudy in a major production.

Jenna is a Somalian student who shares Anna's discomfort with the school's open locker room layout. She collaborates with Anna on a design project to create a private space for modest students.

David is a young man from Flushing who develops a strong affection for Tara during her short time living in the neighborhood.

Kwasi is a Ghanaian waiter who offers young Sonia a quiet gesture of solidarity and support when she becomes upset during a swimming competition.

Mohan is a young, casually dressed Hindu priest's son. He challenges tradition by allowing the Das sisters to participate in a ritual typically reserved for male relatives.

Kareena is a high school friend of Chantal who oversees the school's theater productions.

Mr. Larsen is Martin's wealthy father. His extreme affluence initially makes Chantal nervous about meeting him.

Mrs. Larsen is Martin's mother. She exhibits surprising warmth and kindness, immediately comforting Chantal over a stressful mishap.