About “Rooster” in a few words:

Rooster is a fresh HBO original comedy series about Greg Russo, a bestselling author who winds up at a liberal arts college to be closer to his daughter Katie after her life gets turned upside down by personal drama and career chaos. Along the way, expect awkward faculty meetings, family squabbles, cringe‑worthy moments, and that signature blend of heart and laughs that makes you go “yeah, I’ve been there.”

Meet the characters from Rooster

Greg Russo

Greg Russo is the kind of guy who thinks three steps ahead and also forgets where he put his keys five minutes later. He’s the unofficial leader — solid, sarcastic, fiercely protective of the crew, and somehow always in the center of whatever chaos brews. He loves spreadsheets and conspiracy theories in equal measure, carries a travel mug that may or may not be empty, and has this weird habit of quoting movie lines at inconvenient times. Deep down there’s a soft spot (okay, maybe a whole pillow fort) that only a few get to see, and that contrast is what makes him fun and unpredictable.

Dylan Shepherd

Dylan’s the smoldering, half-smiling type who writes terrible poetry and then deletes it but secretly keeps copies in his phone. He’s quiet at parties but somehow ends up steering the conversation into late-night honest talks, usually while playing guitar badly and with proud determination. He’s loyal to a fault, has a secret ridiculous fear of pigeons, and insists on filing things alphabetically even though he’s chronically late. There’s an edge to him — a loner streak mixed with a hopeless romantic who still believes in big gestures, which honestly makes him both infuriating and irresistible.

Archie

Archie is the old-soul anchor of the group, the person everyone texts at 2 a.m. when they need someone to say “You’ll be fine” and mean it. He’s practical, dryly funny, and stubbornly moral, like a dad you didn’t know you needed — and sometimes he is a dad, apparently. He collects bad jokes, loves crossword puzzles, and will loudly defend the rules but also has this secret tradition of breaking one wildly stupid rule every year just for the thrill. There’s a steely resolve under that calm exterior, and yet he’s the one who cries during commercials about dogs — I’m not saying he does, but he does. Basically he’s steady, paradoxical, and quietly heroic in the way that sneaks up on you.

Katie

Katie is sparks — quick, clever, and always three breaths ahead in any plan, with sticky notes in her bag and a playlist for every mood. She can be a little ruthless when protecting what she cares about, which is scary but also incredibly admirable, and she’s the first to volunteer and the last to leave. Her laugh is loud, she hoards novelty socks, and she’ll call you out for hypocrisy while simultaneously stealing your fries. Underneath the sass there’s a fierce loyalty and a tiny, slightly embarrassing collection of childhood drawings she keeps under a pillow, so yeah, soft core with an edge.

Sunny

Sunny is literally sunshine—bubbly, impossibly optimistic, and allergic to bad vibes, which she fights with plants and aggressive playlists. She somehow balances boundless enthusiasm with an uncanny ability to notice tiny details (like the exact name of your childhood dog), so she’s both airy and weirdly observant. She hates mornings but is inexplicably awake before dawn to watch the sunrise, carries glitter in her bag “just in case,” and will absolutely drag you to a rooftop picnic. Sometimes she vanishes for quiet days and gets broody about small things, which is kind of the only real hint she gives that she’s human, and honestly it makes her more interesting.