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Home - Character Guides - City On Fire: Character Guide

City On Fire: Character Guide

A character guide for Apple TV+’s “City On Fire,” with character descriptions, quotes, names of actors, and more.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted onMay 21, 2023 6:14 PMJune 22, 2023 5:59 PM Hours Updated onJune 22, 2023 5:59 PM
"Title Card," City On Fire

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.


Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.


  • General Information
    • Synopsis
    • Groups & Organizations
    • Notable Locations & Items
    • Terminology
    • Other Noteworthy Information
    • Episode List
  • Samantha Yeung (Chase Sui Wonders)
  • Charlie (Wyatt Oleff)
  • Dr. Aitschul (Stephen Spinella)
  • Solomon (Alexander Pineiro)
  • Regan Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter (Jemima Kirke)
  • Mercer Goodman (Xavier Clyde)
  • Keith Lamplighter (Ashley Zukerman)
  • William Hamilton-Sweeney (Nico Tortorella)
  • Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke)
  • Nicky Chaos (Max Milner)
  • Amory Gould (John Cameron Mitchell)
  • Will Lamplighter (Chaise Torio)
  • Bill (Geoff Pierson)
  • Felicia (Beth Malone)
  • Joe Yeung (Michael Tow)
  • Detective Ali Parsa (Omid Abtahi)
  • Detective Patricia McFadden (Kathleen Munroe)
  • Ramona (Shawnee Smith)
  • Bruno (Felix Solis)
  • Delirium 'DT' Tremens (Dylan T Jackson)
  • Kathryn (Sarah Goeke)
  • Jacob (Brian Keane)

A character guide for Apple TV+’s “City On Fire,” with character descriptions, quotes, names of actors, and more.

Please Note: This content contains pertinent spoilers, descriptions are updated as new information is presented, images are changed as better ones are captured, and this is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, guest star, or reoccurring role.

General Information

"Title Card," City On Fire
“Title Card,” City On Fire, “Scenes From Private Life,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)
Network(s)Apple TV+
Genre(s)Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult
Created ByJosh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage
Based OnThe Novel By Garth Risk Hallberg
First AiredMay 12th, 2023
Executive Produced ByJosh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, Lis Rowinski, Jesse Peretz
Showrunner(s)Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage

Synopsis

Sam was a vibrant young woman. A freshman at NYU who loved the local art scene and, throughout 2002 and 2003, documented many local acts for her Zine. Unfortunately, while Sam’s burgeoning professional life as a photographer and editor was on the rise, her personal life was complicated. From her mom abandoning her and her dad in grief for nearly a decade, she had to find family and community outside her home. Musicians filled her need for community, and Charlie became the best friend and protégé she needed to keep her accountable, but as for love? She found that in a man who wasn’t available, and her association with him might have led to an attempt on her life in Central Park.

Groups & Organizations

  • Ex Post Facto (1.1): William’s band
    • Ex Nihilo (1.1): The new version of Ex Post Facto, without William, which means “Out of nothing.”
    • Why Did Ex Post Facto End (1.4): Due to the guitarist dying from a drug overdose, William decided to quit the band due to how distraught he was
  • Hamilton Sweeney Group (1.1): The real estate organization that Amory, Bill Sr., and Regan run

Notable Locations & Items

  • Flower Hill High (1.1): The high school where Charlie and Sam went to in Long Island
  • Brass Tactics (1.1): The name of Ex Post Facto’s only album
  • Landesman Residence Hall (1.2): Where Sam’s dorm room is at NYU
  • Land of 1000 Dances (1.1): Sam’s Zine
    • Who Is Who In Land of 1000 Dances (1.4): Gloria Fan is Sam, Piper is Sewer Girl, Dirty Paul is Solomon, Iggy is Nicky, C is Charlie, and Preppy is Keith.
  • Cicciaro’s (1.2): Where Ex Nihilo hides out, and there are often bands playing

Terminology

  • LH Project (1.6): How Nicky and Amory likely met
    • Liberty Heights Project (1.7): This is Amory’s dream which was supposed to be a small town-sized development within the Bronx area. However, the prices were too high, so he had Nicky commit arson to get a Blight Decress which would lead to the City taking the land and selling it at a low price.

Other Noteworthy Information

  • July 4th, 2003 (1.1): The day Sam gets shot
  • .38 (1.2): The gun type Sam was shot with

Episode List

  • Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”
  • Season 1/ Episode 2 “Scenes From Private Life”
  • Season 1/ Episode 3 “The Family Business”
  • Season 1/ Episode 4 “Land of a Thousand Dances”
  • Season 1/ Episode 5 “Brass Tactics”
  • Season 1/ Episode 6 “Annus Horribilis”
  • Season 1/ Episode 7 “The Demon Brother”
  • Season 1/ Episode 8 “In the Dark”

Samantha Yeung (Chase Sui Wonders)

Sam (Chase Sui Wonders)
“Sam (Chase Sui Wonders),” City On Fire, “The Family Business,” directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Sam is a freshman at NYU who has a strong love for the local indie music scene and has even made a Zine, “Land of 1000 Dances,” where she puts all the photos she took and talks about her life and music.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”
  • When Did Sam’s Mom Leave (1.2): Sam’s mom left when she was 11 and moved to California with her yoga instructor

Quotes

Charlie (Wyatt Oleff)

Charlie (Wyatt Oleff)
“Charlie (Wyatt Oleff),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

A Long Island high school senior, Charlie is a bit of a wallflower. What doesn’t help is that his dad died in the North Tower during 9/11, and his mom has, ever since, been grief-stricken and a bit stifling.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”
  • Jean Size (1.3): 28
  • What Is Charlie’s Nickname? (1.2): Nicky gives him the nickname “Prophet.”

Quotes

Dr. Aitschul (Stephen Spinella)

Charlie’s therapist.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”

Quotes

Solomon (Alexander Pineiro)

Solomon (Alexander Pineiro)
“Solomon (Alexander Pineiro),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Solomon, aka Sol, is the muscle of Nicky’s anarchist group who is prone to violence, or at least the threat of violence.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”

Quotes

Regan Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter (Jemima Kirke)

Regan (Jemima Kirke)
“Regan (Jemima Kirke),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Regan is the COO of her father’s company, a mother of two, and a bit of a daddy’s girl.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”

Quotes

Mercer Goodman (Xavier Clyde)

Mercer (Xavier Clyde)
“Mercer (Xavier Clyde),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Mercer is a Georgia native who is now a teacher at a prestigious school in New York City.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”

Quotes

Keith Lamplighter (Ashley Zukerman)

Regan (Jemima Kirke) and Keith (Ashley Zukerman)
“Regan (Jemima Kirke) and Keith (Ashley Zukerman),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Keith is Regan’s husband who works in finance and has benefitted greatly from his marriage, with Regan getting less and less as the years wear on.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”

Quotes

William Hamilton-Sweeney (Nico Tortorella)

William (Nico Tortorella)
“William (Nico Tortorella),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

William is Regan’s brother who is addicted to heroin, formerly a main player in the band Ex Post Facto, in which his name was Billy Three Sticks, and at one time, was a notable artist in the New York scene.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”
  • How long has it been since William saw his family (1.3): Roughly 15 years
  • Why Did William Stop Seeing His Family (1.4): The exact reason isn’t given, but his mother’s death is a noted factor

Quotes

Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke)

Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke)
“Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Sewer Girl is a young lady from Louisiana who is dating Solomon but is also intimate with Nicky.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”
  • When Did Her Mom Die (1.3): Her mom died when she was 16
  • Why Is She Called Sewer Girl (1.3): Because Nicky considers her to have a lower level of consciousness due to her interest in cute animals and horoscopes
    • What is her horoscope (1.5): Pieces
  • What is Sewer Girl’s Real Name (1.4): Lorraine

Quotes

Nicky Chaos (Max Milner)

Nicky (Max Milner)
“Nicky (Max Milner),” City On Fire, “The Family Business,” directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Nicky Chaos is the lead singer of Ex Nihilo and the leader of a movement to reclaim New York City for artists and creatives.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”
  • Government Name (1.6): Nicholas Eaton McKay
  • Date of Birth (1.6): October 9th, 1977
  • Ex Post Factor Role (1.7): He was a guitarist

Quotes

Amory Gould (John Cameron Mitchell)

Amory Gould (John Cameron Mitchell)
“Amory Gould (John Cameron Mitchell),” City On Fire, “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Amory is Regan and William’s uncle, who is a major piece in the family business and even becomes the interim CEO when Regan’s father is no longer allowed to.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”
  • What Was Amory’s Life Like Growing Up (1.4): We learn Amory was an orphan from a young age and struggled before getting to his current place of prominence.

Quotes

Will Lamplighter (Chaise Torio)

Will (Chaise Torio)
“Will (Chaise Torio),” City On Fire, “Land of a Thousand Dances,” directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Will is Regan and Keith’s son, who is 12 and is slowly but surely getting to that age where he is a bit of a butthead.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”

Quotes

Bill (Geoff Pierson)

Bill (Geoff Pierson)
“Bill (Geoff Pierson),” City On Fire, “Scenes From Private Life,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Bill is the CEO of Hamilton-Sweeney, who is dealing with a series of accusations dealing with fraud to pay low taxes while inflating the value of his company’s assets for cheaper loans

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Scenes From Private Life”

Quotes

Felicia (Beth Malone)

Felicia (Beth Malone)
“Felicia (Beth Malone),” City On Fire, “Annus Horribilis,” directed by Liz Garbus, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Felicia is Amory’s sister and confidant.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Scenes From Private Life”

Quotes

Joe Yeung (Michael Tow)

Joe Yeung (Michael Tow)
“Joe Yeung (Michael Tow),” City On Fire, “Scenes From Private Life,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Joe is Sam’s father, who formerly produced fireworks for events throughout New York. However, between competition with mob entities and his wife abandoning him and Sam, he has let the business fall to waste and often can be found drinking.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Scenes From Private Life”

Quotes

Detective Ali Parsa (Omid Abtahi)

Detective Ali Parsa (Omid Abtahi)
“Detective Ali Parsa (Omid Abtahi),” City On Fire, “Scenes From Private Life,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Detective Parsa is the lead on Sam’s case.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Scenes From Private Life”
  • Why Does He Walk With A Cane (1.8): Detective Parsa walks with a cane due to a post-9/11 attack in which people assaulted him and broke his back.

Quotes

Detective Patricia McFadden (Kathleen Munroe)

Detective Patricia McFadden (Kathleen Munroe)
“Detective Patricia McFadden (Kathleen Munroe),” City On Fire, “Scenes From Private Life,” directed by Jesse Peretz, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Detective McFadden is the supporting officer on Sam’s case.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Scenes From Private Life”

Quotes

Ramona (Shawnee Smith)

Ramona is Charlie’s mom

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 3 “The Family Business”

Quotes

Bruno (Felix Solis)

Bruno (Felix Solis)
“Bruno (Felix Solis),” City On Fire, “The Family Business,” directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Bruno is the gallerist who discovered William and has been awaiting his next set of pieces for a while

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: City On Fire: Season 1/ Episode 3 “The Family Business”

Quotes

Delirium ‘DT’ Tremens (Dylan T Jackson)

DT is one of the quieter members of Nicky’s group who, like Sol, is able and willing to go beyond what is necessary to get things done.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “Brass Tactics”
  • Role In The Band (1.7): DT was a guitarist

Quotes

Kathryn (Sarah Goeke)

Kathryn (Sarah Goeke)
“Kathryn (Sarah Goeke),” City On Fire, “Annus Horribilis,” directed by Liz Garbus, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Kathryn is William Jr. and Regan’s mother.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 6 “Annus Horribilis”

Quotes

Jacob (Brian Keane)

Jacob (Brian Keane)
“Jacob (Brian Keane),” City On Fire, “Annus Horribilis,” directed by Liz Garbus, 2023, (Apple TV+)

Jacob is a long-time staff member who takes care of the Hamilton-Sweeney family estate in the Hamptons.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 6 “Annus Horribilis”

Quotes


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Listed Under Categories: Character Guides, Series (Character Guide)

Related Tags: Alexander Pineiro, Alexandra Doke, Apple TV+, Ashley Zukerman, Beth Malone, Chaise Torio, Chase Sui Wonders, Crime, Drama, Felix Solis, Garth Risk Hallberg, Geoff Pierson, Jemima Kirke, Jesse Peretz, John Cameron Mitchell, Josh Schwartz, Kathleen Munroe, Lis Rowinski, Max Milner, Michael Tow, Mystery, Nico Tortorella, Omid Abtahi, Romance, Shawnee Smith, Stephanie Savage, Stephen Spinella, Wyatt Oleff, Xavier Clyde, Young Adult

Amari Allah

Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.

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