List of The Walking Dead (TV series) characters

The Walking Dead is an American television drama series created and produced by Frank Darabont. It is based on the eponymous comic book series by Robert Kirkman. The following is a list of characters from The Walking Dead television series. Although some characters appear in both places, the continuity of the television series is not shared with the original comic book series.

* ^1 Steven Yeun and Michael Cudlitz are only credited as main cast members in 7x01.
* ^2 Scott Wilson is removed from the opening sequence after 4x09. He is briefly re-added as a main cast member in 4x16.
* ^3 Emily Kinney and Chad Coleman are removed as main cast members after 5x09, and briefly re-added in 5x13 in a flashback scene.
* ^4 David Morrissey is removed as a main cast member after 3x16, re-added in 4x06 and removed after 4x09.

Rick Grimes is portrayed by Andrew Lincoln and is the series' central character. A former sheriff's deputy in a small Georgia town, Rick is an everyman — smart, calm, just, a sharpshooter, and a good friend, husband and father — but flawed. Rick is a natural leader, someone his fellow survivors will turn to in a crisis, confident in his guidance, even when he at times doubts himself. His overwhelming need to do the right thing and protect those who can't protect themselves may pull him away from his family, causing cracks of tension within his marriage with Lori and in his relationship with his son Carl. His frustrations about leading his group and keeping them safe in the new world gradually change him into a darker character.

Eventually, he breaks down once again following the deaths of Glenn and Abraham and the overshadowing presence of Negan - the show's antagonist in Season 6 and 7. Throughout the first half of this season, he regains his footing, and then starts preparing for a war against him and the Saviors.

Shane Walsh is portrayed by Jon Bernthal. Shane is a former sheriff's deputy in a small Georgia town; he was Rick's partner in the sheriff's department and best friend since high school. Until Rick's arrival, Shane led the group of Atlanta survivors. Shane harbors feelings for Lori, and after the start of the apocalypse, when Lori believes Rick is dead, Shane starts a sexual relationship with her. When Rick finds them, Shane relinquishes the leadership position to Rick, while trying to hide his resentment towards Rick and his relationship with Lori. Within Season 2, Shane gradually becomes more unhinged and shows bouts of irrational violence and bloodlust after allowing another survivor to die in an act of self-preservation. Shane eventually lures Rick away from the group to kill him, but Rick kills him first.

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