PEN15 is a funny, heartwarming show about teenage chaos. Set in 2000s, it follows Maya and Anna as they wade through middle school madness. Adult actors playing teens? Genius. It gives a wild, often hilarious view of teenage life. PEN15 mixes humor, truth and nostalgia, taking you back to days of pagers and gel pens. Remember innocence? Yeah, that was a thing before social media took over.

Meet the characters from PEN15

Maya Ishii-Peters

Oh man, Maya is such a whirlwind of energy! She’s this wonderfully quirky, super creative girl who’s always ready to dive headfirst into whatever wild idea pops into her mind. Sometimes she’s a little too much, like, remember that time she tried to start a band but couldn’t find anyone to play with? Classic Maya! But seriously, her goofy charm and fierce loyalty to her friends make her one of the most relatable characters ever. And don’t get me started on her fashion sense — like, who else would rock mismatched outfits like it’s the coolest thing ever?

Anna Kone

Anna is the sweet, slightly awkward friend we all know and love! She’s kind of the yin to Maya’s yang, you know? Super down-to-earth and totally supportive, but sometimes she gets caught up in her own head, like when she freaked out about fitting in. It’s so relatable! But don’t underestimate her — she’s got this quiet strength and a knack for being there when it counts. Plus, her taste in music? Flawless! She’s definitely the one who’s always got the perfect playlist for every moment.

Sam Zablowski

OMG, Sam! He’s like the embodiment of that one friend who’s so awkward it’s endearing (in the best way). He’s got this hilarious, nerdy charm that just makes you want to root for him, especially when he’s trying to figure out how to navigate middle school crushes and drama. And can we talk about his obsession with video games? It’s like his secret superpower! But, like, at the same time, he’s surprisingly sensitive — he really cares about his friends, even if he sometimes struggles to express it. He’s such a gem, honestly.

Brandon Keener

Okay, can we just take a minute to appreciate Brandon? He’s the quintessential cool kid but with this unexpected depth that makes him super interesting. Like, yeah, he’s got that laid-back charm, but there are these moments when he shows a softer side that totally catches you off guard! Remember when he helped Maya with her project? So sweet! He’s definitely got that ‘mysterious guy’ vibe, but he’s not a total jerk either — more like a flawed hero who’s just trying to figure things out, like the rest of us.

Shuji Ishii-Peters

Shuji is Maya’s older brother, and honestly, he’s the kind of big brother you either envy or find totally cringeworthy! He’s got that hilarious “I’m too cool for school” attitude, but deep down, he’s super protective of Maya, which is just the cutest. But man, he can be so oblivious sometimes — like, he completely misses the mark on what’s going on with the girls. His attempts to act all suave are just *chef’s kiss* awkward, and you can’t help but love him for it. Plus, his love for conspiracy theories? Priceless!