A digital representation of Edison Carter created by Network 23's teenage genius Bryce Lynch. Originally, Bryce downloaded Carter's memories so Network 23's CEO Grossberg can see what going on in Carter's mind. But the digital representation takes on its own personality, becoming Max Headroom, and begins living in the network's computer. Out of Network 23's reach, Max has free reign over Network 23's computers and makes random appearances on TV whenever he pleases.

Edison Carter

The leading "real" character in "Max Headroom," Carter is a reporter for Network 23, the biggest TV station around. Unlike the ruthless company he works for, Carter cares about reporting the news and has a soft spot for the less fortunate people in the city, known as fringers and blanks. Network 23 puts up with him only because his ratings are consistently high.

Theora Jones

Theora is Carter's controller at Network 23. An expert hacker and techy, she's instrumental in helping Carter find out the truth and keeping him out of trouble. Every once in awhile, sparks fly between Theora and Carter, hinting at an undercover romance.

Bryce Lynch

Network 23's resident teenage genius responsible for creating Max Headroom. A classic nerd, he's spent his entire life around computers. Bryce graduated from the Academy of Computer Sciences (ACS), a secretive computer school that plays a major role in later episodes. Despite his shortcomings, Bryce is essentially a good character and helps Carter in times of need.

Murray

Murray is the producer of The Edison Carter Show. He not only has the dubious job of trying to keep ratings high on the show, but also must serve as a liaison between the crusading Carter and the evil network he works for. Whenever a story that Carter is working on seems to be against the interests of the network, it is usually Murray who must figure out how to get approval from the executive board to run the story.

Ben Cheviot

Ben Cheviot is the head of Network 23, The largest and hightest rated network. He rose to power when Ned Grossman was forced to resign after the Blipvert scandal. Cheviot has the delicate job of keeping Network 23 rated number one. While he does have his moments of morality, he is still the number one network executive and at times can be equally as corrupt and ratings hungry as the man he had deposed.

Blank Reg

Reg is an aging punk rocker who runs Big Time Television, an underground pirate television station, out of his bus. Reg is a good friend of Carter and has resorted to violence to save him on more than one occasion. An archetypal cyberpunk with a Mohawk to match, Reg mostly likes to play punk and rock music on Big Time, but sometimes he throws in a couple Grateful Dead tracks.

Ned Grossberg

The former head of Network 23, Grossberg goes to rival Network 66 following the blipvert scandal and Carter's near death. An immoral media executive in every sense of the word, he cares only about ratings, even at the cost of human life.

Breughel & Mahler

Mr. Breughel and Mr. Mahler are a couple of degenerate thugs who make their living collecting the dead and selling them to the body banks. This makes it perfect for them earn a few extra credits as "clean-up" men, so they aren't above collecting a "live" body or two, if they are short their nightly quota! In fact, Mr. Mahler ends up "making the supreme sacrifice" when it is discovered they are short one night on a body count.