The series features subtle and incidental LGBTQ+ elements, including a gender-nonconforming villain and a potentially same-sex relationship. While cross-dressing is used for comedic disguises, the show generally avoids strong positive or negative commentary on these aspects, resulting in a largely neutral overall portrayal.

The show features the infant Sunny Baudelaire, who uses her strong teeth as a physical advantage in close-quarters encounters. She successfully bites and hinders male henchmen, allowing her and her siblings to escape or recover important items.

Several characters, including Mr. Poe, Uncle Monty, Aunt Josephine, and Carmelita Spats, who were canonically depicted as white in the original book series, are portrayed by actors of different races in the 2017 show adaptation.