Lisa Spinelli is a Staten Island teacher who is unusually devoted to her students. When she discovers one of her five-year-olds is a prodigy, she becomes fascinated with the boy, ultimately risking her family and freedom to nurture his talent.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Maggie GyllenhaalLisa Spinelli | Lisa Spinelli |
 Parker SevakJimmy Roy | Jimmy Roy |
 Gael García BernalSimon | Simon |
 Michael ChernusGrant Spinelli | Grant Spinelli |
 Rosa SalazarBecca | Becca |
 Ajay NaiduNikhil Roy | Nikhil Roy |
 Anna BaryshnikovMeghan | Meghan |
 Daisy TahanLainie Spinelli | Lainie Spinelli |
| SSam JulesJosh Spinelli | Josh Spinelli |
 Samrat ChakrabartiSanjay Roy | Sanjay Roy |
 Haley MurphyBrittany | Brittany |
 Stefaniya MakarovaKrystal | Krystal |
 Ato Blankson-WoodJustin | Justin |
| CCarson GrantMichael | Michael |
 Clark CarmichaelMr. Bishop | Mr. Bishop |
| AAamira MartinezOfficer Marshall | Officer Marshall |
 Douglas TaurelOfficer Lugo | Officer Lugo |
 Nikhil MelnechukPoet | Poet |
 McManus WoodendPoet | Poet |
| LLibya PughMarianne | Marianne |
 Ashley AugustPoet | Poet |
 Avery IlardiKindergarten child | Kindergarten child |
| KKea TrevettGloria | Gloria |
| AAvishai GreenbergKindergarten student | Kindergarten student |
| DDonovan Pierre ColemanKindergarten child | Kindergarten child |
| GGianna JeanDaisy's Friend | Daisy's Friend |
 Shyaporn TheerakulstitMan at the Bowery | Man at the Bowery |
| LLondon ValentineLondon | London |