This article contains character information for the television show NUMB3RS. The focus of the show is the relationship between brothers Don and Charlie Eppes. Don is an FBI agent, and Charlie is a mathematics professor who consults with Don's team. The show's regular and recurring cast of characters consists primarily of FBI personnel and the faculty and students of Charlie's fictitious workplace, the California Institute of Science (CalSci), and also includes Don and Charlie's father, retired urban planner Alan Eppes.
Overview
Main characters
Don Eppes
Charlie Eppes
Alan Eppes
David Sinclair
Terry Lake
Terry Lake (portrayed by Sabrina Lloyd) was a forensic psychologist and often acted as a profiler for Don Eppes' FBI team. Even though she did not understand the intricacies of what Charlie Eppes does for a living, she was more open to the mathematician's antics than her partner, Don.
Sabrina Lloyd did not return for the second season, and Terry did not appear in the last two episodes of the first season. CBS officially stated that her contract had an option to leave after the first season, and she chose to do so. Lloyd wanted to return to New York. The role was not recast; instead, the new character of Megan Reeves replaced Terry, who was written out as having been reassigned to Washington.
Robert Bianco of USA Today considered Lloyd a standout in the supporting cast but criticized the characters making up Don's team as lacking in originality.
Larry Fleinhardt
Amita Ramanujan
Megan Reeves
Colby Granger
Liz Warner
Nikki Betancourt
Other characters
Mildred Finch
Dr. Mildred ("Millie") Finch (portrayed by Kathy Najimy) is the newly appointed Chair of the CalSci Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy Division, and an experimental neutrino astrophysicist who worked on the construction of AMANDA. She is conversant in all of the Division's fields and holds an advanced mathematics degree. At first, she appeared bossy and troubled Charlie Eppes and his colleagues, especially Amita Ramanujan, who researched with her. She did not approve of Amita's dress code or her inappropriate relationship with her thesis advisor but later came around. Mildred gave Amita tenure and appointed her to the curriculum committee, while (as part of their agreement) Charlie must head the admissions committee and aid in CalSci fundraising. Dr. Finch has told Charlie to publish and bonded with him.
Millie is dating Alan Eppes, whom she beat in chess. Being lighthearted, she has made a bet with Alan on who can go longer without using consumer products and has even helped him with his lawsuit by showing that his design specifications were not met.
She is a fan of James Bond films and took a three-month sabbatical from MIT to sail the South Pacific with a friend. CalSci recruit Oswald Kittner (Jay Baruchel) warmed to her, making his decision to become a student easier.
While she does not appear in the last three seasons, she is mentioned.
According to actress Kathy Najimy, Millie is a smart, independent woman who does whatever it takes to get the job done and does not like pursuits of goals contrary to her mission.
Millie was developed as a recurring character to serve as a scientist interested in advancing women's position in science and as Alan's potential girlfriend. She also was created to be another person to guide Charlie. Millie was only scheduled to appear in two to three episodes. With series regular Peter MacNicol's departure to film 24, her role was expanded. Kathy Najimy was not interested in work in television at the time. Upon reading the script, she agreed to star as Millie.
Ian Edgerton
Ian Edgerton (portrayed by Lou Diamond Phillips) is a recurring character who has appeared in five out of six seasons. He is the FBI's best sniper, as well as being the fourth-best shot in the United States. He is also a top tracker and has the luxury of choosing his cases. Ian also works as a sniper instructor at Quantico when he is not working a case in the field.
