April is a 23-year-old art school graduate working at a start-up in New York City. She possesses a sarcastic, reflective demeanor and struggles with self-esteem and forming emotional attachments. When her video of a mysterious robot goes viral overnight, she quickly builds a carefully curated internet brand. Her addiction to fame drives her actions as she attempts to remain the central figure in a global extraterrestrial phenomenon.

The Carls are a network of 64 identical, 10-foot-tall extraterrestrial statues that simultaneously appear in major cities across the globe. Made of an unknown metal that feels like hard Styrofoam and radiates a slight warmth, they hover micrometers above the ground. They possess inexplicable abilities, such as altering security cameras and distributing a shared puzzle-filled dream to humans.

Andy is April and Maya's close friend from college who runs a YouTube channel called Slainspotting. He acts as the cameraman for the viral video that launches April into stardom. He holds a deep appreciation for the mechanics of media creation and often serves as a grounded voice of reason when April's fame-seeking impulses escalate.

Maya is April's college friend, roommate, and girlfriend. She draws a successful but secretive webcomic about anti-capitalist cats. She cares deeply for April but frequently challenges her poor decisions and growing ego. Maya values collaboration and community over individual recognition, engaging with the extraterrestrial phenomenon for the sake of human connection.

Peter is a conservative political pundit and author of the bestselling book "Invaded." He views the extraterrestrial statues as a dangerous, invading force and builds a massive following known as the Defenders. He uses fear, suspicion, and aggressive debate tactics to argue against any cooperative engagement with the visitors.

Miranda is a tall, red-headed materials science graduate student at UC Berkeley. She applies her scientific expertise to the global phenomenon, quickly deciphering the chemical elements requested in the mystery's early stages. She is highly intelligent and practical, though she harbors a quiet admiration for April that complicates their working dynamic.

Robin initially works under Jennifer Putnam before becoming April's dedicated personal assistant. He manages her emails, schedules, and social media presence amid her chaotic rise to global fame. He genuinely cares about April's well-being and frequently worries about her safety as public tensions escalate.

Jennifer is a powerful, pragmatic publicist and agent in the entertainment industry. She guides April in monetizing her sudden internet fame and shaping the "April May brand." She views the extraterrestrial event purely through the lens of media opportunity and audience engagement.

Marshall is Andy's father and a seasoned Hollywood lawyer. He steps in to protect the legal and financial interests of his son and April as they process sudden, overwhelming fame. He provides direct warnings about the long-term personal costs of becoming a public brand.

Tom is April's older, successful brother. He lives a relatively normal life compared to April's sudden plunge into global fame. His upcoming wedding serves as a point of ongoing family focus while the world reacts to the extraterrestrial arrivals.