The children's novel series A Series of Unfortunate Events and its film and television adaptations features a large cast of characters created by Daniel Handler under the pen name of Lemony Snicket. The original series follows the turbulent lives of the Baudelaire orphans, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, after their parents are killed in an arsonous structure fire, and their multiple escapes from their murderous supposed distant relative Count Olaf, who is after their fortune; while discovering about a secret organization called V.F.D. and a schism that tore it apart.
The author himself is also a character, playing a major role in the plot. Although the series is given no distinct location, other real people appear in the narrative, including the series' illustrator, Brett Helquist, and Daniel Handler himself.
Overview
Main characters
Baudelaire Siblings
The Baudelaire siblings, Violet, Klaus and Sunny, are the main protagonists of the series. They are all described as "intelligent, charming, resourceful, and [having] pleasant facial features". The series begins with the siblings finding out their parents have died in a house fire and then proceeds to follow their tumultuous lives as they go from guardian to guardian with Count Olaf at their heels, attempting to get his hands on their fortune. Over the course of the series, the Baudelaire siblings are forced to perform immoral acts, such as lying, stealing and arson, demonstrating one of the central themes of the series: the lack of clear division between 'good' and 'evil'. Snicket also explores this theme in All the Wrong Questions.
The name Baudelaire was taken from the poet Charles Baudelaire. One of his most famous works, Les Fleurs du mal, discusses finding beauty in otherwise grim circumstances. The names of the Baudelaire siblings themselves were taken from a variety of backgrounds to add confusion and ambiguity about the setting of the series. Violet was chosen because it sounded British, while Klaus and Sunny sounded German and American, respectively. In-universe, the siblings (specifically Violet) may have been named after deceased friends of their parents' per an old family tradition.[citation needed]
Violet Baudelaire
Daughter of Beatrice and Bertrand Baudelaire, Violet Baudelaire is the eldest Baudelaire sibling and is uniquely gifted in inventing abilities. She uses these skills to help her younger brother Klaus and her baby sister Sunny escape from Count Olaf time and time again. Violet is fourteen at the beginning of the series and turns fifteen in The Grim Grotto. Brett Helquist's drawings indicate she has long, dark brown hair, and though her eye color is never specified, it is implied that her eyes are a different color from Klaus's.[citation needed] When thinking and concentrating on new inventions, Violet ties her hair in a purple ribbon to keep it out of her face. Being the eldest Baudelaire, she is set to inherit the Baudelaire fortune upon turning eighteen.
Some have suggested that Violet's name was inspired by Violet Beauregard, one of the children from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In the 2004 film and its video game adaptation, Violet is portrayed by Emily Browning and in the 2017 TV series, she is portrayed by Malina Weissman.
Klaus Baudelaire
Klaus Baudelaire is the middle child of the Baudelaire siblings. He is a gifted reader and had read most of the books in the Baudelaire library before it burned down. His love of reading and research skills are often useful for foiling Count Olaf's. Klaus is twelve at the beginning of the series and fourteen by the end of The End. Klaus is bespectacled in the books and TV series but not in the film adaptation.
Klaus and Sunny's name may have been inspired by the real story of the Claus von Bülow, a businessman in New York, who was accused of attempting to murder his wife, Sunny von Bülow.
In the 2004 film as well as its video game adaptation, Klaus is portrayed by Liam Aiken. In the 2017 TV series, he is portrayed by Louis Hynes.
Sunny Baudelaire
Sunny Baudelaire is the youngest of the three Baudelaire orphans and is described as an infant through much of the series. Although Sunny cannot walk until the end of the seventh book and speaks in idiosyncratic baby talk, she repeatedly demonstrates advanced problem solving skills, motor dexterity, comprehension, moral reasoning, and intelligence.