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Main Characters
Spencer James
Spencer James
Played by Daniel Ezra
A football prodigy trapped between two worlds, wanting better for himself by living in Beverly Hills while representing his hometown of Crenshaw.
- Academic Athlete: Spencer is also great at school, as well as on the field.
- The Ace: Spencer, who is a gifted football player and knows the game inside and out and has the physical prowess to excel. He's also a great student.
- Awesomeness by Analysis: Spencer is not only a great football player, but he's also gifted at analyzing players' strengths and weaknesses. He even uses this to read people and their emotions.
- Big Brother Instinct: Spencer towards Dillon, who he wants to protect and be a good influence towards.
- Chronic Hero Syndrome: Spencer constantly feels the need to constantly advocate for his hometown and save his friends.
- Fish out of Water: Spencer's first few days at Beverly Hills High are rough, though he quickly adapts.
- Lovable Jock: Spencer cares for his family and friends, sometimes above his own needs.
- New Transfer Student: The plot is kicked off when Spencer gets an invitation to transfer from South Crenshaw High to Beverly Hills High.
- Understanding Boyfriend: Spencer was this to both Layla and Olivia, knowing when to give them space and knowing how they're feeling.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Part of the reason why Spencer excels at football and trains at it is due to his feelings of being abandoned and trying to be good enough for his father Corey.
Billy Baker
Billy Baker
Played by Taye Diggs
A former NFL player turned high school football coach with a determination to win, which sometimes comes at the expense of his morals and personal relationships.
- Career-Ending Injury: His knee injury caused him to retire from the NFL and move to coach high school football.
- Deuteragonist: He drives the plot of the show just as much as Spencer does.
- Hated Hometown: Billy moved from Crenshaw to Beverly Hills after making the NFL and getting rich and never looked back, at least in the first two seasons.
- Parents as People: Billy isn't a perfect father, but he tries very hard to be there for his kids. Olivia can't help but feel neglected as Billy protects Jordan and then there was him having an affair with Grace.
- Pragmatic Hero: Ultimately, Billy is a good guy who wants the best for his team and players and isn't afraid to do Dirty Business, from getting Spencer to play for Beverly, to helping Jordan pass a drug test that he would surely fail.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Billy has a complicated relationship with his father; Billy does want his approval but his father unfortunately is a toxic influence better left alone.
Olivia Baker
Olivia Baker
Played by Samantha Logan
The daughter of Billy Baker, recovering from a pill addiction and as well as her feelings of inadequacy within her family, her twin brother Jordan, and at school.
- Betty and Veronica: The Betty to Layla's Veronica and Spencer's Archie. In Season 5, she becomes the Veronica to Alicia's Betty. She tries to ruin Alicia and Spencer's relationship so she can take Spencer back. Despite her efforts, Spencer only gets back with Olivia only after Alicia breaks up with him.
- Broken Bird: Olivia, who is fresh off a rehab stint and trying to pick her life back up together.
- Off the Wagon: In season 3, she replaces her pill addiction with alcohol.
- Once Done, Never Forgotten: Although she has recovered, the school body haven't really forgiven Olivia for using drugs, hence why she is an outcast.
- Recovered Addict: Olivia was a user in the past, and has sobered at the start of the series.
- The Unfavorite: Olivia feels like this at times, as her twin brother has football in common with their father and he's the one playing for the football team, whereas she was a party girl who ended up in rehab.
Layla Keating
Layla Keating
Played by Greta Onieogou
A rich, popular pretty girl who hides her depression and loneliness being her dazzling smile.
- Betty and Veronica: The Veronica to Olivia's Betty and Spencer's Archie. In Season 4, she becomes the Veronica to Simone's Betty and Jordan's Archie. Jordan's feelings for Simone were clearly meant to die, so it's a no brainer that he'd break up with Simone. In fact, he opens his eyes to his feelings for Layla and chooses her at the end of Season 4.
- Class Princess: She's the student council president, most popular girl in school, richest girl in Beverly Hills, daughter of the owner of a famous record label, goes her way to create her own label, and is genuinely a sweetheart.
- The Fashionista: Arguably has the best and most detailed wardrobe out of all the characters in the show. Her outfits are always trendy and chic. The show's stylist even made a whole dress for Layla to wear during a red carpet event in 5x03.
- Girly Girl: She's sophisticated and soft-spoken, and loves wearing jewelry, detailed bright makeup, and colorful clothes, especially pink or bright ones, as you hardly ever see her in black.
- Lonely Rich Kid: Layla is left at home a lot alone due to her father being away on business most of the time and her mother died before the series' events.
- Nice Girl: Layla, student council president and overall sweetheart. The worst thing you can say about her is that she was somewhat mean to her father and his new girlfriend, but even that only lasts for an episode. At least in season one.
- Self-Harm: Layla starts cutting herself in season two.
- Stepford Smiler: Layla hides her loneliness and depression underneath her friendly, perky nature, until season two where the mask starts to slip.
Jordan Baker
Jordan Baker
Played by Michael Evans Behling
The son of Billy Baker that also plays for the Beverly Eagles and is willing to do anything to prove to his father that he's a prime player.
- Always Someone Better: Jordan feels this way towards Spencer; while Jordan is a good football player, Spencer is a natural talent and can't help but overshadow him.
- Big Brother Instinct: Despite them being not close at the start of the series, Jordan is infuriated at Asher for sleeping with Olivia when she was high, thinking that he was taking advantage of her.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Jordan is envious of Spencer and his talent, though as the series goes on, this dies down.
- Spoiled Brat: Downplayed, Billy shelters him from the reality of the world and protects him from facing serious consequences of his actions. Jordan somewhat resents this, but also has a sense of entitlement.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Jordan, towards his father Billy. It was exasperated when Billy brought Spencer to live with him, as he thought his dad was investing more into Spencer than him.
Laura Baker
Laura Baker
Played by Monet Mazur
The wife of Billy Baker and mother to Jordan and Olivia who balances her growing career aspirations with being there for her children and husband.
- Crusading Lawyer: Laura is a district attorney and uses her position to help her family and friends, she offers to bust out Tyrone's operation and arrest him, therefore freeing Coop and Shawn from his clutches. She ends up leaving her district attorney position in season 3 in order to advocate for low-income families.
- Lethal Chef: Laura is implied to be this. When she offers to cook to welcome Spencer's return, Olivia and Jordan immediately say they're ordering takeout.
- Mama Bear: Laura is very protective of both Jordan and Olivia.
Tamia "Coop" Cooper
Tamia "Coop" Cooper
Played by Bre-Z
Spencer's best friend and confidant who wants the best for him and all her friends, yet doesn't think the same for herself.
- Butch Lesbian: Coop dresses in hoodies and jeans most of the time, and typically hangs out with men.
- Gayngst: Coop felt something was wrong with herself ever since her mother kicked her out of the house for being a lesbian. She quickly gets over this.
- The Mole: Coop joined Tyrone's gang so she can bring him down from the inside.
Asher Adams
Asher Adams
Played by Cody Christian
Beverly High's Wide Receiver who feels entitled to his position on the team, and is willing to take desperate measures to maintain it.
- Career-Ending Injury: Asher gets diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in the season 3 finale, which ends his football dreams forever.
- Jerk Jock: Mostly prominent in season 1, he thought he was entitled to be star player on the Eagles and he was pushed by his Sports Dad into trying to get that slot. A series of events through the series humble him greatly.
- Mock Millionaire: Asher was actually wealthy until a year ago, when his father fell on hard times. The two have been crashing on another person's house, so Asher can have a reason to enter Beverly High. In reality, the two are barely making ends meet.
- Son of a Whore: Gwen, Asher's mother, was an escort twenty years ago, and Harold was one of her clients.
Grace James
Grace James
Played by Karimah Westbrook
Spencer's mother who is loving and caring but also tough as nails with unshakeable faith in her family and community.
- Mama Bear: Don't mess with or threaten her children or their friends.
- Open-Minded Parent: Grace, not just to her sons but also to Coop who she has no problems accepting she's gay.
- Parents as People: She made the mistake of cheating on her husband with Billy many years ago.
- So Proud of You: Grace, who never misses a moment to remind Spencer of this and how she's always rooting for him.
Dillon James
Dillon James
Played by Jalyn Hall
Spencer's younger brother who is smart, snarky and looks up to his big brother.
Patience Roberts
Patience Roberts
Played by Chelsea Tavares
Coop's girlfriend, proudly out of the closet and willing to protect the ones she loves, sometimes to her detriment.
JJ Parker
JJ Parker
Played by Hunter Clowdus
A friendly and funny jock at Beverly High that loves his friends and is starting to realize his own potential.
- Dumb Jock: JJ's is none too bright, but he's a nice guy.
