Owner, 9MAG

Ryan has grown 9MAG into one of the most sought-after tattoo shops in Chicago. With business booming and all seemingly well, Ryan focuses on his family. With the help of his brothers Don and Phor, Ryan is determined to keep his circle tight, develop his relationship with his son and co-parent with Rachel, but when Ryan reveals he's put everything he has into the shop, his tough façade begins to crumble and he realizes he's been using his shop to avoid dealing with the death of his older sister. Ryan can't run from the past, so he begins therapy to face his demons and repair his spirit.

Owner, 2nd City Ink

After years of being told she brought nothing to 9MAG, Charmaine is determined to prove the haters wrong and awaken her inner boss. She partners with well-known British tattoo artist Jessica Simpson, and the dynamic duo opens the newest tattoo shop in Chicago: 2nd City Ink. After getting engaged last season, Charmaine decides to elope with Neek despite the disapproval of their respective parents. To make matters even more interesting, she's expecting. Char attempts to balance being a businesswoman, wife and mother, but will she be able to lead 2nd City Ink to success when she is faced with an unexpected tragedy? 

Business Partner, 2nd City Ink 

Jessica has officially left behind everything she's ever known in London and relocated to Chicago. She aims to realize her dream of running a successful female-forward tattoo parlor, stateside. She soon becomes homesick, which gives an unlikely partner from the past a chance to seep back into the picture. Jessica's ex from California, who has just gotten out of prison for dealing drugs, shows up in Chicago and wants to rekindle their relationship. Will Jessica give old love a second chance or take the dating scene in Chicago by storm? She is a perfectionist who has sky-high expectations of everyone at 2nd City. Will these demands make her team better artists or create tension?

Piercer/Junior Manager, 9MAG

The Brumfields are in a good place at the start of the season, but when Don's wife Ashley has a health scare, Don takes stock of his goals and gets serious about mending the relationships important to him. After the suicide of his sister, Don teamed up with Charmaine's husband Neek to create a resilience and suicide-prevention app. Don is still on the outs with Charmaine, however, and although he is apologetic, they remain frenemies. As a result, the development of his app and social events promoting its release have stalled. Will Don be able to mend fences with Charmaine and move forward with Neek?  

Tattoo Artist, 9MAG

Phor remains a resident tattoo artist at 9MAG but is still focused on his music career. For Phor, music is a safe space, a place toheal the soul and express what is difficult to articulate in words. Phor's mental health is a priority this year, andhe is using his platform as an artist, musician and social media influencer to spread the word about mental health awareness by hosting and speaking at live events with the support of his brother Don. Phor has been instrumental in helping Ryan get into therapy and cope with repressed guilt over the death of Ryan's sister Nova. Phor has also been enjoying life as a single man, but his playboy lifestyle has recently landed him in jail for an alleged sexual encounter in a public park. Don is concerned and hopes to help Phor find the one.

Tattoo Artist, 2nd City Ink

Draya is a fun-loving, confident, self-taught tattoo artist who mastered her craft by watching YouTube videos. Her sunny and positive attitude masks the fact she is attempting to escape an abusive relationship, a father who abandoned her and a mother who died by suicide. As a recently converted Buddhist, Draya believes in samsara, the cycle of rebirth. She hopes 2nd City will lead to a bigger and brighter future when she can be reborn as the best version of herself. When a possible sibling reaches out to Draya on social media (on behalf of her supposed father), will Draya's past threaten her happy future? 

Tattoo Artist, 2nd City Ink

Born and raised in Chicago's Wild Wild West, Prince is both talented and funny. He's tattooed from his West Side house for many years, which is perfect for a guy serving 369 days of house arrest for a gun charge. He's hoping a plea deal will make him a free man sooner rather than later, then he can start fresh at 2nd City Ink. Prince has a complicated relationship with the mother of his four-year-old son; he is still in love with her, but the situation will likely get more complicated when she finds out about baby mama number two. 

Tattoo Artist, 2nd City Ink

Fly Tatted is a soft-spoken, caring bad boy from the West Side of Chicago hoping to use his talent as a tattoo artist to get away from the streets. Fly is the oldest of nine and tries to set a positive example for his younger siblings. His father Vince is a hardened street soldier, and Fly wants to take a different path -- especially after his younger brother was a victim of street violence and died in his arms. 

Tattoo Artist, 2nd City Ink

King Plug struggles to be recognized for more than his colorful sexuality. He wants to prove his worth as an artist to all the haters in the world, including his disapproving family. Plug wants to build an empire and save his family from the violent environment he escaped. He was homeless this past year and forced to stay in a friend's shop before taking a side job as a stripper to make ends meet.

Still one of the most skilled and respected tattoo artists in Chicago, Van is a kind and generous father to his teenage daughter Briyanna. After defending what he believes to be the truth about who built 9MAG and trying to build his own Loyal Ink, Van finds himself almost completely detached from 9MAG. Now that Loyal Ink is done, Van wants back into the brand he says he helped create.

Though his relationship with Ryan has gotten progressively worse, Van can’t seem to move on without 9MAG. While his estranged business relationship and friendship with Ryan is currently on the outs, Van knows the one thing that is constant is his attachment to the 9MAG brand. It will always be a part of him, and he is willing to give his relationship with Ryan one last try for 9MAG’s sake -- even if it means things will get ugly first. The shop doesn’t exist without its foundation, and Van is coming back to 9MAG, whether Ryan likes it or not.

In addition to trying to figure out his place in 9MAG, Van also finds himself at a crossroads with his longtime girlfriend Jenn, who is ready to take things to the next level, especially once she finds out what’s being going on behind her back. For Van, everything is about to come to a head.

Seasons 1-4

Danielle is busier than ever as she prepares for her dream wedding with her high school sweetheart Terrence. Danielle and Terrence have seen their fair share of ups and downs over the years, but none of that matters anymore -- at least not to Danielle, who still blushes every time she looks at her engagement ring.

Planning her wedding has kept Danielle so busy that she has taken some time off from the shop, which could be a good thing considering all the recent changes at 9MAG. It’s no secret Ryan and Danielle’s issues have grown over the last few years, and, given the current climate at the shop, Danielle’s sabbatical could not have come at a better time.

As Danielle returns to a fractured shop, she is forced to ask herself if she should stay and help the team rebuild or return to planning her fairy-tale wedding with her Prince Charming Terrence.

Now a 9MAG veteran herself, Lily has made quite a name for herself as the feisty, opinionated Latina amongst the crew who has she cemented herself as a full-fledged member of the group. However, her fiery romance with fellow tattoo artist JR Diaz is still at the top of the list of things she just can’t get over. Struggling to leave that toxic relationship in the past, Lily continues to push forward by focusing on her tattoo career.

So why can’t Lily just get along with her fellow 9MAG colleagues? Maybe it has something to do with being haunted by the memory of her father’s murder, which has forced Lily to take on the role of primary provider for her mother and sisters. There is a constant battle within Lily, and until she comes to terms with her own personal demons, she may not fully live up to her potential.

Drawing inspiration from her family and friends, Lily has dedicated herself to becoming a skilled and driven tattoo artist in the industry. What will it take for Lily to leave the past behind her and attain that goal?

As Don’s wife and the mother of his two sons DJ and Ashdon, Ashley is focused on keeping her family together, despite Don’s past transgressions. Managing to invest more time into self-love and self-care, Ashley loves hard and is committed to her marriage and family.

Ashley’s happiness, however, is contingent on Don’s behavior, and she may not be able to handle another set of challenges to their relationship.

Seasons 1-4

Young, stunningly beautiful and armed with a mind for business, and the attitude to match, Nikki is perfect for the artistic Phor.

Nikki, who opened a hair salon last year, has since expanded her business by working from home as well as the shop and designing her own collection of wigs and weaves.

Although a devoted supporter of Phor and his music, will Phor’s increasing status as a sex symbol shake Nikki’s faith in their developing relationship? Or will Nikki take drastic action to cement herself as the one true queen to Chicago’s emerging hip-hop king?

Seasons 1-4

In pursuit of a new life based on self-love and confidence, Cobra is finding it increasingly difficult to battle her inner demons. Fueled by her father’s dying words to never give up on her dreams, Cobra is ready to prove to 9MAG and the world that she is the real deal.

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which left her family homeless and helpless, Cobra now finds herself thrust into the role of sole provider for most of her family. A vicious and meticulous artist, Cobra has never backed down from anyone or anything. With the deck stacked against her in numerous ways, Cobra is determined to show everyone that she will not be defeated.

Hailing from Chicago and deeply respected in the tattoo game, JR Diaz is a force to be reckoned with. Elevating himself through art and away from a family history of gang involvement, JR is as real as it gets. A gifted and driven artist, who is loyal to a fault and a bit of the class clown, JR has worked hard to establish himself as one of the top Latin tattoo artists in the country.

Some would argue one of JR’s biggest accomplishments to date is the respect he has earned as the first accepted new member of 9MAG. Even though JR has been accepted by the 9MAG team, he finds his loyalty tested and his own position challenged when he rides hard for his boss Ryan.

Last season, Bella Tatted made her 9MAG debut as the shop’s newest assistant. A bit quirky and sometimes not able to hold it together, one thing is certain about Bella: She is the life of the party! She goes both ways and isn’t afraid to show her affection for anyone, Lily included. Her energy injects new fun into 9MAG at a time when everyone else seems to be walking on eggshells around Ryan.

Though it seems 9MAG’s original team is battling to reclaim their positions at 9MAG, Bella is comfortable in her skin as the assistant. For the sake of her adorable daughter Lia, who still has not met her father, Bella has to keep a roof over her head and the lights on.

Seasons 1-3

Kat started off as the resident little sister of 9MAG but has since moved to Los Angeles. Due to her endless talents and gorgeous features, Kat is at the top of her game and has quickly become one of the most sought-after female tattoo artists. Kat is taking advantage of her success and seizing every opportunity to build her own brand as Kat Tat, an artist separate from 9MAG.

Since the events at the lake house last year, half of the 9MAG team still blames Ryan for the way he handled things with Kat. As a result, Kat has moved back to Los Angeles in an effort to put the events of the past year behind her.