Over the course of 12 years, the cultural phenomenon series The Walking Dead ruled television. Bringing the horror and zombie genre to the mainstream, the AMC hit had fans glued to their screens with each new episode, even when we got some devastating cast exits (looking at you, Andrew Lincoln.) The 11-season show certainly had its ups and downs, but it always succeeded in bringing highly emotional moments amid the post-apocalyptic world. Living under the circumstances the characters on the show did, we were bound to see death. And some were more heartbreaking than others.
The Walking Dead was developed by Frank Darabont and was based on the comic book of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. Featuring a large ensemble cast, we got to meet a long list of characters consisting of good guys, villains, and some in between. No matter who you rooted for, tears were inevitable as the characters went on missions in order to survive.
The Walking Dead character deaths
There were so many memorable deaths throughout The Walking Dead (we’ve listed them all here), so let’s take a look back at the original series and determine which characters we’d bring back from the dead and which we’d leave underground.
Hershel
Let’s start with an extremely sad one. Though Hershel and Rick don’t always see eye to eye when they first meet, they form a bond as they get to know each other and Hershel becomes a favorite amongst fans. He undergoes major character development as he tries to figure out his surroundings, initially believing the walkers could be cured. He eventually comes to terms with the reality of the situation as he witnesses more and more terrible acts being committed.
Sadly, Hershel dies in the mid-season finale of season 4 after being decapitated by the Governor, the big bad. It’s such a horrifying death that fans still think of to this day.
Hershel is incredibly kind-hearted and will always be remembered for his strong moral compass. Unfortunately, the actor who portrayed him, Scott Wilson, passed away in 2018 at the age of 76 after battling cancer. The Walking Dead community no doubt misses both the actor and the character, and his legacy lives on with us.
VERDICT: Bring back