Noah's Arc, a comedy-drama series, follows the lives of four friends who work to solve their dilemmas involving sexuality, gay bashing, same-sex parenting, and HIV/AIDS awareness, as well as finding acceptance and equality in their community. Since its debut in October 2005, the series has followed the career of Noah Nicholson, as he progresses through different jobs to mainstream screenwriter.
Series director Patrik-Ian Polk previously explored similar themes in his 2000 film Punks, which shared cast members Rodney Chester, Gregory Kieth, and Rockmond Dunbar.
Main characters Noah Nicholson-Robinson
Portrayed by Darryl Stephens Episodes: "My One Temptation" – present Noah is the protagonist of the series. He is an aspiring screenwriter, who was later hired by Brandy King of Paramount Studios to do a re-write of Wade's scripts "Bait and Switch". He is best friends with Alex, Chance, and Ricky. In the first episode of season 1, it is revealed that he often meets up with Wade at a cafe to collaborate on script and movie ideas. Noah begins an intimate relationship with Wade in the second episode of season 1, which continued until Wade broke up with Noah after catching him kissing Malik at the end of season 1. Throughout the series, Noah helps Wade comes to terms with his sexuality.
In the first episode of season 2, Noah is revealed to have been in relationship with Malik for several months. After a brief encounter with Wade and his new boyfriend, Noah breaks up with Malik after realizing that he hasn't gotten over Wade. Throughout season 2, Noah has relationships with Baby Gat and Quincy, the latter which ended at last episode of season 2. Noah also regains the trust of Wade and they collaborate on a new script called "Fine Art". At the end of the sixth episode in season 2, Noah is gay bashed by three guys at a gas station. In the following episode, Wade is shown to be first one present at the hospital to be beside Noah. Noah is later released to his home and Wade is shown taking revenge on one of the guys who attacked Noah. Wade is later shown helping to take care of Noah. During this time, Wade revealed that he was still in love with Noah, despite being in a relationship with Dre. The following day, Noah and his friends attend a party at a public beach, which Wade and Dre also attend. Noah and Wade later shown kissing bathroom while a heartbroken Dre watches. When Dre and Wade leave the beach, it is revealed that they got into a car accident with Wade being thrown from the vehicle. Noah and his friends later arrive at the accident scene when they realized that it was Wade's vehicle that was overturn. Noah is then shown holding Wade in his arms while awaiting for an ambulance.
In Jumping the Broom, Noah and Wade have fully rekindled their relationship and later get married at Martha's Vineyard. Noah also accidentally reveals to Wade's mother that he is gay after inviting her to their wedding. During the same night, a heartbroken Noah is shown watching a slightly-intoxicated Wade and Ricky share a kiss. When Wade realizes this, he chases after Noah who eventually locks himself in their room and begins to doubt if he should marry Wade or not. After a heartfelt conversation with Brandy in the following morning, Noah forgives Wade and continue with their wedding plans.
Alex Kirby-Iverson Portrayed by Rodney Chester Episodes: "My One Temptation" – present Alex is an outspoken HIV counselor who demonstrates self-confidence, sassy-mouthed, and a "take charge" personality.The 10 Most Important Things “Noah’s Arc” Taught Us. NewNextNow. Retrieved on January 26, 2017 He's also in a relationship with Trey. During season 1, Alex works as a counselor at the HIV Treatment and Prevention Center until quitting the job in episode 5. He later opens his own non-profit HIV-awareness treatment center called "Black Aids Institute". Throughout most of the series, Alex was on-going war with Guy who was secretly trying to steal Trey from him. At the end of season 1, Alex proposes to Trey who declines after he reveals that he took a position in Africa to work with AIDs patients and orphans.
In the beginning of season 2, Trey returns home and offers Guy a place to stay at Trey and Alex's home. Alex reluctantly allows Guy to stay with them to prove he is not insecure about having Guy in their home. Various schemes by Guy are shown to put a strain on Alex and Trey. In the sixth episode of season 2, Alex (with help from Noah, Ricky, and Chance) is able to reveal to Trey that Guy was trying to break up them up. In the season 2 finale, Alex and Trey talk about adopting a child after babysitting Kenya.
In Jumping the Broom, it is revealed that Alex and Trey adopted a new-born boy named Ojemodupe ("OJ" for short). It is also revealed that Trey and Alex have been in a long-term relationship for 11 years.
Ricky Davis Portrayed by Christian Vincent Episodes: "My One Temptation" – present Ricky is the owner of a men's clothing store called Trade Analysis on Melrose Avenue. Described as a free-spirit and "saying yes to life" personality, Rick is sexually promiscuous who avoids commitment. It is revealed in season 1 that the total of men Ricky has had sex is "triple digits", hinting that he has had sex with over 100 guys. Ricky's promiscuity has often caused his store to suffer as one guy stole a shirt from his store while Ricky was having sex with a guy in another room of the store. He ultimately hires Raphael as a sales-clerk associate to help manage his store. In mid-season 1, Ricky begins a one-sided open relationship with Junito. During the relationship, Ricky struggles to comes to term that he is in a sexual relationship with Junito, who is HIV-positive. The revelation causes Junito to end their relationship after Ricky feels uncomfortable.
In season 2, Ricky and Junito consummate their now mutual open-relationship. At the end of season 2, Ricky breaks up with Junito after he sets him up with a guy who Junito becomes close with. Ricky cites the reason behind the breakup was that he "can't breathe" and "felt like he was in prison".
In Jumping the Broom, Ricky confesses that he has been in love with Noah for a very long time. This was hinted many times in the series. The first time was when Wade struggled to identify himself as Noah's boyfriend in the third episode of season 1. The second time was when Noah was gay bashed in sixth episode of season 2. In the following episode, Ricky confessed to Noah that he loved him but he did not clarify the extent of his feelings.
Chance Counter-McIntyre
Portrayed by Doug Spearman Episodes: "My One Temptation" – present Chance is an economics professor at a college. It is revealed during a flashback in the second episode that Noah was a student of his and that this is how they met. He is described as the voice of reason in the group. Chance is Eddie's partner. He also helps take care of Eddie's young daughter Kenya. In the pilot episode, Chance is shown giving up his apartment and moving in with Eddie. In the third episode of season 1, Eddie is shown having cheated on Chance with another guy from an online website while Chance alongside Noah, Alex, Ricky, Trey, and Wade watch through a window of the guy's home. This causes Chance to break up with Eddie and move in with his friend Noah. Despite their breakup, Chance still keeps his obligations to Kenya including picking her up from school and ballet. After his breakup with Eddie, Chance begins dating T-Money, a street gangster, to explore why Eddie cheated with a guy of similar nature. For a brief period, Chance abandons his professional attire to act and dress more like a thug. T-Money also gives Chance the nickname "Lil' C". Chance later reconciles with Eddie after Eddie proposes to him. In a deleted scene, Chance revealed to Eddie that he never had sex with T-Money. At the end of season 1, Chance and Eddie got married.
In season 2, Chance helps his friends through their dilemma. In the fifth episode of season 2, Chance and Eddie allow Eddie's boss's wife stay at their home after she revealed to her husband that she was a lesbian. Eddie's boss ultimately fires Eddie. Chance later meets up with Eddie's boss to beg for Eddie's job back, which is successful after Eddie's boss confided in Chance.
In Jumping the Broom, Chance and Eddie began having marriage problems when one of Chance's students Brandon (who is also Ricky's current love-interest) accompanies them to Martha's Vineyard. Brandon reveals that he has a crush on Chance and ultimately has sex with him. Chance later reveals this to Eddie and work together to move past their issues.
Wade Robinson
Portrayed by Jensen Atwood Episodes: "My One Temptation" – present Wade is a former screenwriter. During season 1, Wade develops a bi-curious personality toward Noah. Following a threesome at his apartment with Brandy and Noah, Wade enters into his first homosexual relationship with Noah. Wade struggles with his sexual identity and at one point couldn't reveal to a real estate agent that he and Noah were in a relationship during their search for new home together. At the end of season 1, Wade walks in on Noah kissing Malik and ultimately ends his relationship with Noah.
In season 2, it is revealed that Wade changed his phone number and address. In the first episode of season 2, Wade is shown having a new boyfriend, Dre, a barista at a club. In the following episode, Wade is shown having a new job at a furniture store to which he unknowingly delivered a refrigerator to Noah's new home. During this time, Noah tries to apologize to Wade for cheating on him to which Wade does not accept. Wade also revealed that he never cashed his royalty checks to his screen-write collaboration with Noah. Wade ultimately forgives Noah after Dre invites Noah to their apartment for dinner. Wade is shown to be on speaking terms with Noah throughout the second season. When Noah was gay-bashed and later hospitalized, Wade was the first one to appear at the hospital, where he told the nurse that he was Noah's boyfriend so that he would be allowed to see Noah. He later takes revenge on one of the guys who attacked Noah and was later jailed because of it. Noah showed up at the jail to post bail for Wade and Dre later shows up to do the same thing. After Dre offers to drive Wade home, Wade refuses and takes a still-injured Noah back home. During this time, Wade and Noah become intimate although they are both in relationships with different men. Wade also confesses that he still loves Noah very much. In the end of season 2, Wade and Noah are shown kissing in a public beach bathroom when Dre walks in on them. Wade leaves to chase after a heartbroken Dre. They are later shown leaving together in Dre's car. At the end of the episode, Wade and Dre are involved in a car accident to which Noah and his arrive to. An unconscious Wade is shown laying Noah's arms.
In Jumping the Broom, Wade has fully recovered from the car accident. It was revealed that Noah "nursed him back to health". Wade also proposed to Noah and decided to get married at Wade's family vacation home in Martha's Vineyard. During a night at the place, a slightly-drunk Wade and Ricky are shown confiding in each other and eventually share a kiss. Noah is shown watching through a window when Wade realizes this and eventually chases after a heartbroken Noah. Wade and Noah later makeup the following morning and continue with their wedding plans. When Wade's mother arrives at the wedding, Wade reveals to her that he is gay and will marry Noah despite her approval or disapproval to which she accepts him as a gay man.
Recurring characters Trey Iverson Portrayed by Gregory Kieth Episodes: "My One Temptation" – present