Riley
Angel of death, second class. To earn his scythe, Riley takes on a mission to "bump off" budding scientist Kate Appleby. However, the soft-hearted -- and sometimes soft-headed -- nature that's kept him from advancing through the ranks of the reapers makes him go gaga for his good-looking target. He settles into life with the living, but, though a master procrastinator, he realizes that the choice between the make-or-break mission and the love of his afterlife can't be put off forever.

Kate Appleby
Physicist, roboticist, all-around left-brainer. Kate's IQ stands her in good stead as an instructor at Bedford University, where she lives with her sister Dawn. Time not spent struggling with her students or hanging out with Riley is devoted to tinkering with her mechanical offspring Bot. Though she can eat Einstein for breakfast, she (like Riley) turns to grinning goo in the face of a romantic gesture.

Dawn Appleby
Kate's sister Dawn in a down-to-earth, no-nonsense realist who suffers fools badly. The result: she's miserable much of the time. She yearns for a meaningful career and a rewarding relationship, and secretly envies her sister for her success in finding both. Fitness nut, female jock, goes in for sports of any kind.

Bot
Bot's a homemade artificial intelligence whose fierce devotion to his creator Kate borders on insanity. If he had his druthers, all other biological life could take a long leap, with Riley, his arch rival for Kate's affections, jumping first off the pier. Loves action moves, card games, and magic tricks.

The Dead
Shakespeare, Einstein, Elvis... The late greats. Being deceased doesn't stop them dropping in on their favorite bonehead to toss him their two cents' worth, much to Riley's dismay. Low-key they're not, and their frequent visits to Earth leave Riley struggling to keep "The King's" appearances to a modest, cheap-tabloid level.