High School Musical: The Musical – The Series is a musical drama. Set in a fictional high school, students decide to recreate that iconic movie. Drama, relationships and personal growth abound while they rehearse. Young cast? Check. Catchy songs? Double check. It is a feel-good ride for fans of musicals and teen angst. So, grab your popcorn and prepare for some serious nostalgia.

Meet the characters from High School Musical: The Musical – The Series

Ricky

Ricky is the over-caffeinated, dramatic heart of the group — a total theater nerd who wears his feelings on his sleeve and probably has a monologue ready for any situation. He’s ambitious and romantic and also kind of a chaos magnet, like he’ll plan the most earnest stunt and then forget where he put the sign-up sheet (classic). Somehow he’s both painfully earnest and low-key performative, which makes you trust him and roll your eyes at the same time. Also he swears he dislikes video games but definitely loses at Mario Kart on purpose sometimes.

Nini

Nini is that quietly magnetic lead who can make a song feel like sunlight and a bad coffee shop vibe at the same time — talented, complicated, and always a little haunted. She’s fiercely loyal and artistic, but sometimes indecisive about the next big step (and yes, she owns a stack of vintage playbills she never looks at). She’s cool and sharp one minute, soft and vulnerable the next, and there’s always this sense she’s processing three layers deeper than everyone else. Oh, and she forgets lyrics in her sleep but has perfect pitch when it counts — naturally.

EJ

EJ is the smooth-talking dancer with a grin and a plan, the kind who makes everything look effortless even when he’s scheming behind the scenes. He’s confident, a little mischievous, and unbelievably loyal to his friends — also dangerously flirty, so watch out. Underneath the swagger there’s real sensitivity and a tendency to overthink, which is kind of adorable and also tragic sometimes. He carries a notebook full of half-written poems and an irrational obsession with keeping his sneakers pristine (until they’re inexplicably splattered with paint).

Big Red

Big Red is the deadpan best friend who will roast you into orbit and then have a casserole waiting at your door, genuinely the family’s emotional anchor. She’s blunt and hilarious and secretly a softie who remembers everyone’s birthdays (even if she pretends not to). She hates unnecessary drama but somehow becomes the main character in it, probably while making a sarcastic comment. Also, she’s suspiciously good with tech for someone who claims to hate phones — like she knows keyboard shortcuts no one taught her.

Ashlyn

Ashlyn is the nervous, witty songwriter who dresses like a rom-com lead and writes tiny breakup poems in the margins of her notebooks. She’s stylish and self-aware, loves a dramatic outfit but will tell you she hates being “too extra” — which is peak Ashlyn. She’s protective of her friends, fiercely opinionated about musicals, and names all her pens like it’s a personality trait (it is). And yes, she says she’s bad at singing on purpose but then slays the chorus when everyone’s watching.

Carlos

Carlos is the sweetest stage manager-slash-support system who treats scripts like sacred texts and snacks like a lifestyle, honestly such a cinnamon roll. He is anxious and careful and the literal glue that holds rehearsals together, but also the kind of person who will walk into a scene and save it with one perfect line. He’s got a huge heart and romantic ideas (watch out for cheesy gestures), and he hoards weird snacks that contradict his “I’m healthy” Instagram bio. Also, he’s shockingly bold when someone he loves needs him.

Gina

Gina is the ambitious, sharp-as-a-tack theater kid who will run the production and your social calendar and probably critique the lighting—but in a good way. She’s competitive, stylish, and loves being in charge, though she’s not immune to soft moments she’d never admit out loud. She can be ruthless with standards but secretly wants people to notice she cares (ugh, relatable). Oh, and she totes has a cat-themed planner even though she claims to be “low-key” about pets — allergic? maybe.

Seb

Seb is the moody musical brain with the messy hair and the immaculate playlists, the kind of friend who writes the arrangement that makes you cry. He’s thoughtful, quietly intense, and protective of the people he loves, but he has this whole other side that’s into pop bops and late-night snack runs — surprising, I know. He’s both classical-trained and secretly obsessed with chart-toppers, which makes him a weird sonic wizard. Also, he almost always has a beanie (except when he doesn’t), and that’s a mood.

Kourtney

Kourtney is the sunny, ditzy-but-brilliant social media whiz who will choreograph your life and then forget her keys — in that order. She’s bubbly, fashion-forward, and somehow always knows the perfect soundtrack for any mood, plus she can make anyone feel like the lead. She’s clumsy with logistics but precise with vibes, and she loves rules until a great photo op appears (then rules are… suggestions). Also, she speaks in rhymes sometimes and swears it helps with captions; don’t question it.