Image via Getty/Jesse Grant
The Walking Dead has lost its former luster thanks, in part, to some pretty inconsistent writing and over-long stretches where plenty of nothing happens. The most infamous example of the drama’s shortcomings is still the season six finale, where the writers’ thought it would be a good idea to make an episode leading up to the villain Negan’s murders and not actually show who ends up at the wrong end of that bat until the following season. The Walking Dead hasn’t really bounced back from the misbegotten choice: Critics’ enthusiasm has diminished, and the ratings have declined.
However, this is still The Walking Dead, an AMC centerpiece with a fervent fanbase. The series is headed into its eighth season this fall with no end in sight: Our hero Rick Grimes still has to deal with Negan, and there are still all those walkers that are ruining human civilization to be worried about. The show's season count will likely go into the double digits, and The Walking Dead will at least remain palatable thanks to its characters, one of the show’s main strengths. The characters have, for the most part, been memorable, an achievement when you take the cast’s wide breadth into account. Over the past eight seasons, we’ve seen cannibals, a dude named T-Dog (rest in peace), and a pizzaboy-turned-pizzaman. Many have left an indelible impression, regardless of whether or not it’s good or bad.
That said, some Walking Dead cast members are better than others. Out of a cast that includes dozens of nameable apocalypse survivors, the Top 10 Walking Dead Characters stood out thanks to their relatability, their knack for a good quip, and how many living and zombie bodies they caught (so, yes, Michonne is on the list). Check out who makes the cut below. Keep in mind there are some heavy spoilers to follow.
Rick Grimes
This pick is pretty much by default, since Rick is the series’ main character. After missing the start of the walker apocalypse as he was recovering from what must be one of the most fortunate gunshot-induced comas in fictional history, the former sheriff’s persona has been malleable, yet distinctive enough to be one of the more consistently compelling elements of The Walking Dead’s story arc. Rick also unintentionally represents the television series’ biggest strengths and shortcomings. He’s at times thrilling and heartbreaking to watch, but infuriatingly idiotic at other moments. But love him or hate him, the cold fact is that he’s one of the strongest leaders against the apocalypse.
Michonne
For one, Michonne’s signature weapon is a katana; that makes her a top 10 Walking Dead character off the rip. Even without the sword, Michonne is essential, because she forms the series’ reliable rock when everyone else is being trifling or too dramatic over this "end of civilization" thing. Let’s also not forget that she saved Rick from getting choked to death by the Governor. Speaking of whom, Michonne is Rick’s boo for now, and—spoiler alert—that position doesn’t end well in the comics. Hopefully, she lasts longer than Rick’s previous loves.
Daryl Dixon
Daryl grew from being a redneck living under his brother’s shadow (R.I.P. Merle) to becoming a reliable walker slayer with a heart. Needless to say, the fans have responded better to the latter, because an amicable yet efficient killer is the best type of character you’d hope from the show. Daryl also has some of the show’s greatest kills, which includes him straight-up blowing up some foes with a rocket launcher. More importantly, he’s loyal, as he’s proven in his refusal to join Negan’s gang after being tortured.
Carol
Carol arguably came the furthest out of everyone in this huge cast. After being introduced as a victim of an abusive relationship, Carol steadily grew to become a self-sufficient heroine and a fan favorite. If it wasn’t for her, Rick and the gang would’ve been food in back in season five. Also if it wasn’t for her, Tyreese’s girlfriend Karen would’ve been alive. Yes, Carol has a wild moral compass, but how often are characters who fall plainly on the side of either right or wrong interesting?
Ezekiel
It was annoying of Ezekiel to deny an anti-Savior alliance, because the plot calls for one anyway. But Ezekiel is nonetheless one of the biggest players heading into season 8; he is a leader of an entire community after all. Plus, how many characters with dreads and a pet tiger do you see on television? You can live with the faux-Shakespearean language.
Morgan
Morgan has been a stand-in for Walking Dead’s look at the cruelty of change, one of the series’ motifs. He was fairly well put-together (considering the circumstances) when he helped Rick Grimes get on his path in the first episode. A few seasons later, we meet him again after he’s driven mad over the loss of his son. But even though we’ve seen him just twice before season five, Morgan left enough of an impression to be a thrilling watch as he reunited with the main cast. Yes, his pacifism shtick got tired, but it was still exciting to watch him go to work.
Negan
Touting a cruel use of black humor and a bat, Negan showed his charisma minutes after he made his first full appearance in the season six finale. He quickly proved he was a deadly presence, too: His first act is literally bringing Rick’s team to their knees and braining two people on this very list. His reception was injured by the showrunners’ wrongheaded and manipulative decision to wait until the season premiere to reveal who was actually on the other end of bat. However, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is indelible as Negan, and he should be the series’ best villain if the writers don’t interfere.
Sgt. Abraham Ford
Abraham comes equipped with the prototypical action star starter kit: He has a competency with guns, a mission-oriented mindset, and a rolodex of one-liners. But like Daryl, he does carry an undeniable sense of humanity, which is evident in his dynamic with Sasha. Although he’s dead, he’ll always be a contender for a spot on this list because he went out like a G.
Maggie Greene
Maggie arguably suffered the most trauma over the course of the series: She lost her family, her boyfriend Glenn, and her good friend Sasha. Not to mention, those deaths include a beheading, a bludgeoning, and a bullet to the head. Through it all, Maggie remains one of the easiest characters to root for because of Lauren Cohan’s acting, an emotive performance that makes her resolve feel earned. Plus, she’s more than capable of dishing out punishment herself.
Glenn
A former pizzaboy, Glenn quickly stood out from the original camp because of his relatability. He encapsulated the show’s vital mix of self-seriousness and levity. He would never be the apocalypse’s No. 1 draft pick (that would be either Daryl or Michonne), but he connected with audiences in a way that made the many times he miraculously escaped death more thrilling. But Glenn did infamously meet his end, and the preceding outcry nods to how important of a character he was.