Dev is a television producer and self-proclaimed believer in true love working on the reality dating show *Ever After*. Following a recent breakup with his long-time boyfriend and co-worker, he receives a reassignment to act as the handler for the show's difficult new leading man. He uses his strong emotional intuition to manage the set and support the cast. Underneath his cheerful exterior, he actively suppresses his own struggles with clinical depression.

Charlie is a disgraced technology executive who agrees to star as the "prince" on a reality dating show to rehabilitate his public image. He experiences obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety, making the highly social and physically affectionate environment of a dating show overwhelming. He maintains a rigid, guarded exterior and possesses no genuine interest in finding a wife through the production.

Maureen is the creator and showrunner of *Ever After*. She prioritizes dramatic television and high ratings over the well-being of her cast and crew. She strictly enforces the show's traditional, fairy-tale format and heavily manipulates situations on set to create conflict among the contestants.

Parisa operates as Charlie's publicist and serves as his only close personal friend before the show begins. She engineers his placement on *Ever After* as a strategic career move to repair his reputation following his termination from his own tech company. She possesses strong professional instincts and observes people closely, frequently understanding Charlie's emotional state better than he does himself.

Jules works on the production team of *Ever After* and acts as one of Dev's most trusted friends on set. She recognizes the severity of Dev's post-breakup emotional state and attempts to support him even when he tries to push her away with jokes. She maintains a practical, grounded perspective amid the chaos of reality television production.

Ryan works as a producer on *Ever After* and recently ended a six-year romantic relationship with Dev. Their shared workplace forces them into constant proximity immediately following the breakup. He holds lingering resentments regarding Dev's emotional distance during their relationship and frequently clashes with him on set.

Skylar serves as the director for *Ever After*, managing the technical execution of Maureen's dramatic vision. She actively participates in the behind-the-scenes crew culture and collaborates with Dev and Jules to manage their unpredictable leading man.

Josh is Charlie's former college roommate and the co-creator of the tech company WinHan. He recently orchestrated Charlie's termination from the board of directors, citing a lack of confidence in Charlie's capabilities while unfairly weaponizing Charlie's mental health struggles against him.

Daphne competes on the reality dating show, participating in the extravagant dates and rose-style crowning ceremonies. Like many contestants, she operates within the constraints of the highly produced environment while dealing with the show's manufactured drama.

Angie is a contestant on *Ever After*. She participates in the various group dates and ceremonies designed to win Charlie's affection while managing the intense scrutiny of the television cameras.