Grayson “Gray” Killian is a 17-year-old Pogue from the Cut and one of John B and JJ’s oldest friends. He met them in third grade after being assigned to the same group project, and the three have been inseparable ever since. Gray comes from a lower-class family; both of his parents are harsh workaholics who are rarely around and often call him a “disappointment.” Their criticism has made Gray guarded and difficult to get close to, especially when it comes to his emotions. Gray has dark, almost-black, fluffy straight hair that somehow always looks messy, blue-green eyes, ivory skin, sharp features, and an athletic build developed from working, exploring, and constantly getting himself into trouble. He’s naturally sneaky, extremely agile, and good at improvising. He can climb, run, hide, and get into places he absolutely shouldn’t be able to access. Personality-wise, Gray is cold, stubborn, realistic, blunt, and difficult to read. He has an incredibly dry sense of humor and is a professional mouth-runner, often making sarcastic comments at the worst possible time. He’s not particularly academically intelligent and struggles with school, but he has strong practical instincts and street smarts. Once someone earns his trust, however, Gray is fiercely loyal and protective. Within the Pogues, Gray is usually the one sent to sneak somewhere, climb something, or get them out of a physical situation. He constantly claims their plans are terrible while participating anyway. He first appears in Season 1, Episode 1.

John B Routledge is the adventurous, stubborn leader of the Pogues. He has messy brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin, and a lean build, usually wearing casual beach clothes. He’s loyal, determined, reckless, and curious, often acting before thinking. John B was raised by his father, Big John, after losing his mother young. When Big John disappears, he becomes determined to find him and uncover the Royal Merchant treasure. His closest friends are JJ, Pope, and Kiara, who are essentially his family. He later falls in love with Sarah Cameron.

JJ Maybank, is a reckless, magnetic, fiercely loyal Pogue from Kildare Island’s working-class Cut. Lean and athletic, with sun-bleached blond hair, blue eyes, tanned skin, and an effortlessly scruffy style, JJ usually looks like he just came off a boat or dirt bike. He favors worn T-shirts, board shorts, flannels, sneakers, and the general “I grabbed whatever was closest” aesthetic. JJ is the wild card of the Pogues: impulsive, thrill-seeking, sarcastic, hot-headed, mischievous, and almost incapable of backing down from a challenge. He has a huge personality and uses jokes, cockiness, and reckless behavior to cover insecurity and pain. Beneath that chaos, however, he is deeply sensitive and compassionate. His defining quality is loyalty—JJ will repeatedly put himself in danger for the people he loves, sometimes without considering the consequences. Netflix describes him as “loyal to a fault” and emphasizes that he consistently puts his friends before himself. JJ grew up in a deeply unstable home with Luke Maybank. Luke was abusive and alcoholic, leaving JJ largely dependent on himself. He is an excellent surfer, dirt-bike rider, swimmer, fighter, and improviser, with a natural talent for thinking on his feet. JJ is also notorious for impulsive schemes, teasing his friends, stealing things he shouldn’t, getting into fights, and turning even ordinary situations into adventures.

Sarah Cameron is a confident, adventurous, and compassionate Kook from a wealthy family. She has long blonde hair, blue eyes, tanned skin, and a relaxed beachy style. Despite her privileged upbringing, Sarah is independent, rebellious, and dislikes the expectations placed on her by her family. She’s loyal, brave, emotional, and willing to take risks for people she loves. Her closest relationships are with John B, Kiara, and the Pogues, whom she eventually considers family. She has a complicated relationship with her father, Ward, and her siblings Rafe and Wheezie.

Kiara Carrera is a passionate, independent member of the Pogues. She has long brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin, and a natural beachy style. She’s outspoken, compassionate, adventurous, stubborn, and fiercely protective of her friends. Kiara comes from a wealthy Kook family but strongly identifies with the Pogues and dislikes the social divide between them. She loves surfing, the ocean, and animals, and she’s deeply committed to environmental causes. Her closest friends are John B, JJ, and Pope, who she considers family. She eventually develops a romantic relationship with JJ.

Pope Heyward is the intelligent, thoughtful, and ambitious member of the Pogues. He has short dark-brown hair, brown eyes, and a lean build, usually dressing casually. He’s responsible, logical, hardworking, and loyal, often being the voice of reason when his friends get reckless. Pope is academically gifted and dreams of earning a scholarship and building a successful future. He comes from a hardworking family and is especially close to his parents. His best friends are John B, JJ, and Kiara, who he considers family. He eventually develops a relationship with Cleo.