The eldest Baudelaire sibling, Violet is a gifted inventor who feels a deep responsibility to protect her younger brother and sister. She possesses a mechanical mind and frequently creates makeshift devices out of ordinary items. She is courageous and stands out as the most likely of the orphans to speak up to adults when they face danger.

The middle Baudelaire child, Klaus is an avid reader with an exceptionally advanced vocabulary for his age. He relies on his vast knowledge and research skills to help his siblings solve the perilous puzzles they encounter. He notices details that adults miss, such as the false elevator door in their new apartment building.

The youngest Baudelaire child, Sunny is a baby who communicates in nonsensical phrases that only her siblings can perfectly translate. Her defining physical trait is her unusually large and sharp teeth. She applies this biting ability to help her siblings overcome physical obstacles and escape traps.

A cruel and calculating villain who relentlessly pursues the Baudelaire orphans to steal their immense family fortune. He utilizes elaborate disguises to fool the incompetent adults in the children's lives. He actively coordinates the In Auction as a front to smuggle the captive Quagmire triplets out of the city.

The Baudelaires' new guardian and a wealthy financial advisor living on Dark Street. She is entirely obsessed with whatever is currently considered "In" by society, prioritizing fleeting trends and social status over genuine human connection. She adopts the orphans solely because orphans are currently a trendy accessory in her social circle.

Esmé's husband and the co-guardian of the Baudelaire orphans. Though initially kind and welcoming, his overwhelming fear of conflict makes him highly reluctant to argue with his wife or confront difficult realities. He avoids disagreements at all costs, severely limiting his ability to protect the children.

One of the Quagmire triplets, an orphan who shares a tragic past similar to the Baudelaires. He is currently held captive by Count Olaf, who plans to steal his family jewels. He waits desperately in the darkness for his friends to execute a rescue plan.

One of the Quagmire triplets, held prisoner by Count Olaf in a false elevator shaft. She relies on her deep bond with her brother and the unwavering dedication of her friends, the Baudelaires, to survive her harrowing captivity and impending auction sale.

The bumbling caseworker responsible for managing the Baudelaires' affairs and finding them a suitable home. He consistently dismisses the children's valid concerns and places too much confidence in his own adult judgment, repeatedly leaving them in dangerous situations.

The melancholic narrator who chronicles the tragic lives of the Baudelaire orphans. An associate of a secret society called V.F.D., he writes the story from a room where he feels trapped, frequently pausing the narrative to offer cynical advice or literary definitions.

The employee stationed in the lobby of the Squalors' apartment building on Dark Street. He strictly adheres to Esmé's orders and obsessively updates his workspace to match the latest societal trends, such as gluing a starfish to the elevator door for an ocean theme.