Zoey is Dre and Rainbow’s stylish, intelligent, and wealthy firstborn. In Grown-ish, she is often arrogant, selfish, and desperate for approval, which can hurt her relationships, but she genuinely cares about others and learns from her mistakes. Despite her confident exterior, she is insecure and often undervalues her own talent. She originally wanted to be a fashion designer but discovers her true passion is styling. Her complicated relationships with Cash, Luca, and especially Aaron shape much of her college experience and personal growth.

Aaron is a confident, outspoken, and socially conscious Cal U student who studies Political Science and is passionate about activism and social justice. He is intelligent, principled, and supportive of his friends, but can also be stubborn and intense when it comes to his beliefs. His complicated, long-running relationship with Zoey develops from friendship and mutual attraction into a serious romance.

Ana is a first-generation Cuban-American, devout Catholic, and outspoken Republican who studies Political Science at Cal U with plans for law school. She is opinionated, slightly judgmental, and sometimes stubborn, but caring and supportive toward her friends. Her political differences often cause conflict, especially with Aaron, but Zoey values their friendship despite those differences. Ana’s relationships with Aaron and Javi are complicated, while her friendship with Zoey remains one of her strongest bonds.

Nomi is a Jewish American, bisexual, outspoken, and free-spirited student at Cal U. She is confident and often impulsive, but also a loyal friend who supports the people she cares about. After becoming pregnant unexpectedly during her junior year, she leaves school temporarily to have her daughter, Luna, before returning to Cal U and balancing motherhood with her education. By the end of Season 4, Nomi graduates and moves to Connecticut to attend Yale Law School.

Luca is an eccentric, laid-back, and independent fashion design major at Cal U. Known for his unique style, creativity, and free-spirited personality, he often pushes boundaries with his art and fashion. He dates Zoey, but their relationship is complicated by jealousy and insecurity before they eventually break up. Afterward, Luca channels the breakup into his fashion line, Anti-Muse, while remaining close with friends like Nomi and Doug.

Vivek is a smart, ambitious, and stylish first-generation Gujarati Indian American who studies engineering at Cal U. He initially deals drugs to afford his expensive fashion lifestyle and fit in, but his double life eventually leads to his arrest and expulsion. Beneath his confident and sometimes desperate personality, Vivek struggles with his identity and feeling like he doesn’t fit in. He is loyal to his friends and becomes especially close with Zoey, Aaron, and Doug.

Jazz is Sky’s intensely smart, sassy twin sister and a focused track athlete from South Los Angeles. At Cal U, she majors in Economics and initially struggles to balance her ambitions, relationship with Doug, and close bond with Sky. After falling short of making the Olympics, Jazz becomes disappointed and eventually steps away from track, while therapy helps her confront her insecurities and move forward. She is outspoken, ambitious, and fiercely independent, but can also be impulsive and stubborn.

Sky is Jazz’s intensely smart, sassy twin sister and a focused track athlete from South Los Angeles. She is determined, goal-oriented, and often blunt, with a dry personality and little patience for unnecessary drama. At Cal U, she studies Early Childhood Education while pursuing track, eventually earning a spot on the Olympic team and leaving for Tokyo. Despite her tough exterior, Sky deeply cares about her sister and friends and gives practical advice when they need it.

Charlie Telphy is an eccentric, unpredictable, and often awkward professor at Cal U. He is a close friend of the Johnson family and teaches evening classes, including Digital Marketing Strategies. Charlie becomes Dean of Students in Season 2, though he continues to act goofy and unconventional. He often gives strange but surprisingly useful advice and has a laid-back, unserious personality that makes him stand out from the other faculty. He remains a recurring character through Seasons 3–4.

Doug is a charming, ambitious, and confident student from Queens who attends Cal U. He is best friends with Aaron and Vivek and becomes especially close to Jazz, eventually dating her. Doug is focused on his future and career goals, but his relationship with Jazz becomes complicated when their priorities and expectations clash. He can be supportive and caring, but also jealous, stubborn, and emotionally affected by their breakup.