'The Walking Dead': Who's your favorite character of all time? — The Final Vote

Kimberly Potts
·Writer, Yahoo Entertainment
Melissa McBride as Carol, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Steven Yeun as Glenn, Andrew Lincoln as Rick and Norman Reedus as Daryl in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)
Melissa McBride as Carol, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Steven Yeun as Glenn, Andrew Lincoln as Rick and Norman Reedus as Daryl in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)

To celebrate the Oct. 22 Season 8 premiere of The Walking Dead — the series’ 100th episode — Yahoo TV will be posting a new TWD-related story every day through the season opener.

We know that if Daryl dies, you riot. Many a fan of The Walking Dead has pledged to throw down publicly should Mr. Dixon meet the business end of Lucille or otherwise join the likes of beloved TWD characters like Glenn and Beth and Abraham, all of whom have met tragic endings on the series.

Should we assume that devotion to Daryl means that he is, hands down, fans’ all-time favorite TWD series character? Do viewers not also love them some Rick Grimes, some Hershel Greene, some Carol “Superwoman” Peletier? Aren’t there also big contingents of apocalypse aficionados who count Glenn or Michonne or Maggie as their most loved survivor (or former survivor — RIP, Glenn)?

Here’s your chance to vote for your personal pick; we have — actually, YOU have — narrowed down the top 35 characters into a final five. Now, we’re asking you to vote just one more time, and on Monday, Sept. 18, we’ll announce your pick for the best Walking Dead character of all time, along with a flashback to that character’s most memorable moments.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to pick your top choice from the five finalists:

Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride)

Melissa McBride as Carol in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)
Melissa McBride as Carol in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)

A loving mother, but abused wife who was afraid to go against a single word her husband, Ed, said when we met her, Carol has since become one of the most evolved characters in the series. The death of Ed gave her some freedom, but that was followed shortly by the death of her daughter, Sophia. Instead of letting her loss destroy her, Carol transferred her protector instincts to her new family, which has been saved on more than one occasion by her quick-thinking, battle skills, and devotion to keeping them safe. Her sacrifices have come at a cost, as Carol struggles to reconcile her actions with her humanity, but her long friendship with Daryl and more recent bondings with Morgan and King Ezekiel have helped.

Michonne (Danai Gurira)

Danai Gurira as Michonne in 'The Walking Dead' (Photo: AMC)
Danai Gurira as Michonne in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)

A mysterious loner when she first integrated with Rick’s group, Michonne soon revealed herself to be a fierce warrior, handily wielding her katana to help protect her new friends. She also developed a strong friendship with Carl, as the two bonded over the apocalypse death of his mom and Michonne’s son. A natural leader once she made the decision to fully engage with those around her, Michonne is one of Alexandria’s most trusted members, and now, is happily coupled with Rick as his romantic partner and partner in solidifying a thriving community once they get out from under Negan’s rule.

Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun)

Steven Yeun as Glenn in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)
Steven Yeun as Glenn in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)

A pizza delivery boy who became an instant hero after the outbreak, Glenn continued to grow into one of the most reliable, brave, thoughtful, and respected members of Rick’s group. His relationship with and eventual marriage to Maggie was his touchstone, leading the couple to take the risky, but optimistic step towards rebuilding the world by getting pregnant. Maggie hopes Glenn’s legacy lives on through their offspring, though, sadly, the memory of his senseless, gruesome death will never be forgotten, either.

Rick Grimes (Andy Lincoln)

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)

He awoke from a coma to be confronted by the apocalypse, but after reuniting with his wife and son and inheriting a disparate bunch of people who formed their own family unit, Rick Grimes quickly emerged as the group’s leader. From his stubborn days as the Ricktator through his current plan to see his people and their allies through a war with the Saviors, Rick has weathered personal tragedy, brutality and hardships foisted upon the group, and numerous deep losses, but continues to steer his people towards a more peaceful new world.

Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus)

Norman Reedus as Daryl in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)
Norman Reedus as Daryl in ‘The Walking Dead’ (Photo: AMC)

He initially operated as an outsider, but Daryl’s hunting and tracking skills made him an MVP post-apocalypse, and his loyalty to friends like Rick and Carol helped establish bonds that have made him one of the most trusted, capable, and beloved members of Rick’s self-made family. Plus, you know, he’s pure badass.

The Walking Dead Season 8 premieres Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. on AMC.