The Patriarch of the Family.  Originally came to the depressing town of Little Hope an optimistic and generally cheerful young man.

Matriarch of the "family across the street."  A strong willed and successful politician, Brandi's best friend and confidant.

Riordan's wife.  She married him because she thought he was going places and would be her ticket out of Little Hope.

Mina's half-Hindi half-Japanese son.  A quiet, serious, cautious and introverted young man who dreams of being an artist.

Riordan and Brandi's son.  Outgoing, upbeat and determined to overcome the unpleasantness of his youth.

The youngest of the Shivendra family, already set on following in his mother's political footsteps

Riordan and Brandi's daughter.  Painfully shy and unsure of herself and especially of her physical appeal, she's starting to look for acceptance in the wrong direction.