Main
Cedric the Entertainer as Calvin Butler, who is a local homeowner; he is Tina's husband, Malcolm and Marty's father, and Daphne's grandfather. He owns an auto repair shop called Calvin's Pit Stop until selling it in season 5. In season 6, he and Marty open a repair shop called Fuse Box that specializes in electric vehicles.
Max Greenfield as Dave Johnson, Gemma's husband and Grover's father. Dave is a friendly but awkward man who moves from Michigan to Pasadena, California. He is a professional conflict mediator, a military veteran, and a graduate of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In the season 8 premiere, he gets fired due to teaching AI to do his job resulting in him being rendered "redundant".
Tichina Arnold as Tina Butler, Calvin's wife, Malcolm and Marty's mother, and Daphne's grandmother. A former singer in a semi-successful pop trio, she worked the front desk at Calvin's auto shop before starting her own cupcake business. In season 5, she accepts a part-time job as a music teacher at Gemma's school.
Beth Behrs as Gemma Johnson, Dave's wife and Grover's mother. Her new job as principal at a private school in Los Angeles is the reason for the Johnson family moving to California. While it takes some time for Calvin to warm up to Dave, Gemma and Tina become fast friends.
Sheaun McKinney as Malcolm Butler, Calvin and Tina's older son. He was once a professional baseball player working his way through the minor leagues until an injury ended his career. He had trouble finding steady employment until Marty got him a job as a security guard at JPL in season 2. In season 4, he is hired as the hitting coach for the USC baseball team. In the season 7 finale, he graduates from USC and moves to Venice Beach to become a writer. In season 8, he starts ghostwriting for a famous "real housewife" named Mercedes Selznick and the two begin a romantic relationship.
Marcel Spears as Marty Butler, Calvin and Tina's younger son. He is a successful engineer at JPL with several nerdy hobbies and interests. Chronically unlucky in love, Marty meets a boxer named Necie in season 4 and gets engaged to her, only to have the engagement end in season 5. In season 6, he and Calvin open a repair shop called Fuse Box that specializes in electric vehicles. Marty has a one-night stand with Fuse Box employee Courtney that results in her getting pregnant. Their daughter Daphne is born in the season 6 finale. As of the season 7 finale, Marty and Courtney are now in a romantic relationship. They get engaged in season 8.
Hank Greenspan as Grover Johnson, Dave and Gemma's son who is initially an elementary school student at Walcott Academy. In season 5, he begins middle school and turns 13 later on. In the season 7 finale, he graduates from Walcott and starts high school in the season 8 premiere.
Skye Townsend as Courtney Pridgeon (season 7–8; recurring season 6), Marty's friend and former coworker who becomes pregnant by him after a one-night stand; she gives birth to Daphne in the season 6 finale. As of the season 7 finale, Marty and Courtney are now in a romantic relationship. They get engaged in season 8.