The 20 Best Walking Dead Characters of All Time

Ruthless survivors and reluctant heroes, chilling villains and cult favorites — a decade of the apocalypse produced a cast fans still fiercely defend. Where do you stand?

1. 1
   Daryl Dixon

   The crossbow-wielding survivalist and fan favorite who evolved from hot-headed loner into the group's fiercest protector.
   1000pts
2. 2
   King Ezekiel

   The theatrical leader of the Kingdom who ruled alongside his pet tiger Shiva.
   782pts
3. 3
   Rick Grimes

   The former sheriff's deputy whose search for his family made him the moral center and reluctant leader of the survivor group.
   693pts
4. 4
   Michonne

   The katana-wielding warrior first seen leading two chained walkers, who became a fearless fighter and Rick's partner.
   678pts
5. 5
   Alpha

   The chilling leader of the skin-wearing Whisperers whose cold ruthlessness defined a terrifying era.
   617pts
6. 6
   Eugene Porter

   The mullet-sporting scientist whose lie about a cure hid a cowardly man who slowly found courage.
   573pts
7. 7
   Hershel Greene

   The soft-spoken farmer and veterinarian whose wisdom and faith made him the group's moral compass.
   524pts
8. 8
   Merle Dixon

   Daryl's volatile older brother whose racism and cruelty gave way to a redemptive final act.
   407pts
9. 9
   The Governor

   The charming yet monstrous ruler of Woodbury who became one of the series' most menacing villains.
   407pts
10. 10
    Rosita Espinosa

    The tough, weapons-savvy fighter who became one of the group's most dependable defenders.
    335pts
11. 11
    Tyreese

    The gentle giant torn between his pacifism and the brutal demands of survival.
    335pts
12. 12
    Maggie Greene

    The farmer's daughter who grew into a hardened leader of Hilltop after unimaginable loss.
    335pts
13. 13
    Carol Peletier

    A meek abuse survivor who transformed into one of the show's most cunning and ruthless survivors.
    335pts
14. 14
    Negan

    The charismatic, barbed-wire-bat-swinging leader of the Saviors who began as a brutal villain and slowly turned antihero.
    253pts
15. 15
    Carl Grimes

    Rick's son, who came of age in the apocalypse and became a capable survivor in his own right.
    253pts
16. 16
    Glenn Rhee

    The resourceful former pizza delivery boy whose heart and heroism made his death one of TV's most shocking.
    253pts
17. 17
    Shane Walsh

    Rick's best friend and fellow deputy whose descent into ruthlessness made him an early tragic antagonist.
    156pts
18. 18
    Abraham Ford

    The gruff, red-haired former sergeant on a mission to escort Eugene, known for his colorful one-liners.
    156pts
19. 19
    Morgan Jones

    The first survivor Rick met, whose journey through grief and pacifism spanned the entire series.
    156pts
20. 20
    Father Gabriel

    The cowardly priest who evolved into a battle-tested fighter and community leader.
    156pts