Character Relationship Map: Kingdom

Characters

• Alvey Kulina (played by Frank Grillo) — protagonist

  Alvey Kulina owns and operates Navy St. Gym in Venice, California, where he helps people train and coaches fighters, including his sons Jay and Nate. He is Lisa's partner and wants to revive Ryan Whee...

• Jay Kulina (played by Jonathan Tucker) — protagonist

  Jay Kulina is one of Alvey's sons and a fighter connected to Navy St. Gym. He struggles with drug and alcohol problems, but attempts to put those issues aside so he can begin fighting again. His perso...

• Nate Kulina (played by Nick Jonas) — supporting

  Nate Kulina is Alvey's son and trains alongside his father and brother at Navy St. Gym. While Jay tries to return to fighting, Nate is dealing with personal issues of his own. He belongs to a family i...

• Ryan Wheeler (played by Matt Lauria) — supporting

  Ryan Wheeler is a former great fighter who left Alvey when his career grew larger. After being imprisoned for brutally assaulting his father, he is released and becomes the focus of Alvey's plan to re...

• Lisa Prince (played by Kiele Sanchez) — supporting

  Lisa Prince is Alvey's girlfriend and a partner in operating Navy St. Gym. She initially opposes bringing Ryan Wheeler back because she and Ryan were once engaged, but eventually accepts Alvey's plan...

• Christina Kulina (played by Joanna Going) — supporting

  Christina Kulina is Alvey's estranged ex-wife and the mother of Jay and Nate. She is a drug addict and sex worker who has only sporadic contact with Alvey and their sons. Her troubled circumstances ad...

• Alicia Mendez (played by Natalie Martinez) — supporting
• Navy Street MMA Fighter (played by Levi Bowling) — supporting
• Keith (played by Paul Walter Hauser) — cameo
• Mac Sullivan (played by Mac Brandt) — cameo
• Ava Flores (played by Lina Esco) — cameo

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Jay Kulina → Ava Flores (Partner) — Romantic partners whose relationship is tested by external pressures and career shifts.

  "Jay and Ava celebrate his lightweight championship, retreating into each other. Jay and Ava's plans are completely upended when an unexpected visitor...

• Alvey Kulina → Alicia Mendez (Career Advisor) — Alvey critically assesses career opportunities presented to Alicia, guiding her professional path.

  "Alicia receives an offer that Alvey believes looks more promising than it is."

• Alvey Kulina → Nate Kulina (Performance Evaluation) — Alvey serves as the benchmark for Nate's professional redemption arc.

  "Nate returns to the cage looking for an end to his losing streak and to prove to Alvey and everyone else that he's still a viable fighter."

• Alvey Kulina → Christina Kulina (Father-Daughter) — Father-daughter bond navigating living instability and personal crises within the gym environment.

  "Christina searches for new living arrangements. Alvey rescues an old friend from a bad spot, reflecting his protective family dynamics."

• Alicia Mendez → Ryan Wheeler (Career Crossroads) — Ryan's intervention in Alicia's living arrangements intersects with his own career uncertainties.

  "Ryan breaks up Alicia's living situation while questions about why he lost his championship fight swirl."

• Ryan Wheeler → Nate Kulina (Gym Dominance) — Ryan's established gym dominance contrasts with Nate's struggle to regain footing.

  "Nate returns to the cage looking for an end to his losing streak... Ryan demonstrates his dominance of the gym."

• Alvey Kulina → Ryan Wheeler (Professional Employer) — Alvey wants Ryan to fight again and be a trainer at his gym
• Alvey Kulina → Lisa Prince (Romantic Partner) — Alvey owns and operates Navy St. Gym with his girlfriend Lisa

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Jay Kulina → Ryan Wheeler (Title Rematch) — High-stakes championship rematch defining the season's competitive climax.

  "The rematch between Jay and Ryan for Jay's lightweight title belt could not come at a worse time for a reeling Jay."

• Keith → Ryan Wheeler (Roommate Instability) — Keith's unpredictable behavior creates ongoing tension and challenges Ryan's stability.

  "Keith presents a challenge to Ryan, reminding him just how unstable his roommate can be."

• Jay Kulina → Nate Kulina (Brotherly Intervention) — Nate's attempts to pull Jay from his romantic life create ongoing fraternal friction.

  "Nate attempts to drag Jay away from his new life with Ava."

• Mac Sullivan → Navy Street MMA Fighter (External Threat) — Mac introduces a disruptive element that jeopardizes the gym's stability and fighter operations.

  "Mac brings something into Navy St. that threatens the gym's operations."

• Nate Kulina → Christina Kulina (Concerned Peer) — Nate intervenes when Christina faces personal difficulties, showing peer concern.

  "Nate and Jay discover Christina in a bad spot."

• Christina Kulina → Ryan Wheeler (Living Situation) — Ryan's involvement in living arrangements creates indirect social overlap with Christina.

  "Ryan breaks up Alicia's living situation while questions about why he lost his championship fight swirl."

• Lisa Prince → Christina Kulina (Living Situation Peer) — Shared navigation of housing instability within the same social circle.

  "Christina searches for new living arrangements, Lisa realizes Alvey's home may not be the place for her."

Story Analysis

A family drama centered around a mixed martial arts gym and the personal struggles of its owners and fighters.

Plot Progression

1. The Return of the Prodigal — Ryan Wheeler returns to the gym after prison, creating tension with Lisa but offering new opportunities for the business.
2. Blood, Sweat, and Family — The Kulina family navigates personal issues while training for fights, highlighting the intersection of family and professional fighting.
3. Redemption in the Ring — Characters confront their past mistakes and seek redemption through fighting and family reconciliation.