The Ultimate Guide to The Walking Dead: The Most Shocking Character Death that Defined Each Season

The Walking Dead is no stranger to character deaths, and it's intriguing to examine which ones have had the most impact throughout its 11 seasons. Certain deaths, such as Abraham's brutal murder in season 7 or Lucille's heartbreaking slow demise in season 10, leave a lasting impression. However, some deaths are particularly notable because of their long-lasting effects on the story and the other characters.

When determining the best Walking Dead deaths, it is important to consider each character's influence on the narrative and the other characters, both while they were alive and after their demise. Given that the show revolves around the zombie apocalypse, death is unavoidable. Naturally, some deaths carry more significance in the overall context of the series.

11 Season 11: Rosita Espinosa

Rosita's death in "Rest in Peace," the series finale of The Walking Dead, comes as a devastating blow to fans. Joining the show in season 4, Rosita transformed from arm-candy to a determined fighter and mother. Although her departure lacks a follow-up in the series finale, it is bound to have implications for the main characters in spinoffs like The Walking Dead: Dead City and The Ones Who Live.

The remaining characters are left grappling with the emotional aftermath of losing Rosita, and this impact is sure to extend beyond the original series. From Gabriel's heartfelt promise of seeing her again to Maggie's tearful goodbye, it is clear that Rosita held great importance to the other characters. Her absence will be deeply felt. In her final moments with Eugene, her best friend, the weight of her impact is further underscored. Struggling to hold back his emotions, Eugene tells her, "I owe who I am today to you."

10 Season 10: Alpha

Alpha's demise is embraced by many, and its impact on other individuals — particularly Negan and Carol — should not be underestimated. Negan deceives Alpha by exploiting her daughter, Lydia, and ultimately murders her. Subsequently, he presents Alpha's severed head to Carol, who then displays it on a spike. As part of his efforts to redeem himself and show his loyalty to the Alexandrians, Negan infiltrates the Whisperers and gains Alpha's trust, among other actions he takes.

For Carol, Alpha's death triggers hallucinations and guilt for the lives lost as a consequence of her actions. These hallucinations manifest in the form of Alpha herself, and it is only when Carol acknowledges her ability to make amends that this portrayal of Alpha vanishes. Undoubtedly, Alpha's demise leaves a lasting impact on several of The Walking Dead's central characters. It also proves to be an exhilarating turn of events for those eagerly awaiting her downfall.

9 Season 9: Jesus

Jesus plays a significant role in The Walking Dead before season 9. He is responsible for introducing Rick's group to Hilltop and for freeing Maggie and Sasha from Gregory's control. He becomes instrumental in the alliance between Hilltop and Alexandria when he supports Maggie in season 8, despite Gregory's attempts to maintain ties with Negan.

Jesus' death is a pivotal moment in The Walking Dead's storyline. He is killed by The Whisperers, which marks a terrifying shift in the show's dynamics and character development. Jesus bravely sacrifices himself, believing he is fighting against Walkers, only to be unexpectedly attacked by The Whisperers.

8 Season 8: Carl Grimes

Starting from The Walking Dead season 1, audiences witness Carl's growth throughout the series. The impact of his death is intensified not only because he is a beloved character but also due to the way it unfolds. In the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead season 8, Carl's fatal Walker bite is unveiled, and Rick discovers the truth about his son in the final scene of the episode. This revelation leaves fans in suspense as they eagerly await Rick's next steps, enduring a months-long agonizing wait.

The final actions of Carl hold significant influence over the subsequent events in the show. It leads to Rick's decision to spare Negan, Michonne's determination to be strong for Rick and Judith, and the communities uniting as allies after defeating the Saviors. Carl's requests, expressed through his heartfelt letters and conversations with loved ones, serve as catalysts for these events. The sparing of Negan, driven by Carl, can be seen as the domino effect behind Alpha's downfall and the progression of the events in Dead City. This clearly underscores the crucial importance of Carl's final actions in shaping the narrative of The Walking Dead.

7 Season 7: Glenn Rhee

Glenn's presence in The Walking Dead pushes the narrative forward, starting with his intervention in directing Rick away from a group of Walkers. However, his brutal demise by Negan and his weapon, Lucille, becomes a pivotal moment in the series, particularly for the storyline involving Maggie's conflict with Negan. After Glenn's tragic death, the Alexandrians adopt a more subservient attitude towards the Saviors, until eventually prevailing against them.

Undoubtedly, Glenn's death is one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the show, leaving a profound impact, especially on Maggie. Being pregnant at the time, Maggie's grief and desire for revenge becomes a significant driving force behind her actions. She operates covertly, even resorting to collaboration with the Croat in Dead City, all stemming from the loss of Glenn.

6 Season 6: Deanna Monroe

Deanna initially disagrees with Rick and the Alexandrians upon her introduction. However, after the Walkers invade Alexandria, she acknowledges the community's lack of readiness in a world overrun by Walkers, ultimately becoming a significant ally to the main characters. She emerges as a symbol of hope for her community and the Alexandrians' future.

In season 6 of The Walking Dead, Deanna valiantly accepts her inevitable demise after being bitten. While the others attempt to escape the horde, she chooses to face her fate alone. In her final moments, Deanna manages to inspire a skeptical Michonne, symbolically entrusting Rick with the future plans and the well-being of Alexandria. As a result, Rick assumes leadership over Alexandria, transforming her death into a pivotal moment in the narrative.

5 Season 5: Beth Greene

Beth's demise becomes all the more tragic due to her inherent kindness, when she is impulsively shot by Dawn during season 5 of The Walking Dead. Nonetheless, Beth's immense empathy and benevolence have a profound and enduring influence on the characters of The Walking Dead. She materializes as a comforting presence in Tyreese's hallucinations, as he grapples with excessive blood loss, and also features in Rick's recollections during season 7. Furthermore, her presence is captured in Maggie's photographs and anecdotes throughout the subsequent seasons of The Walking Dead and Dead City. These instances serve to underscore the indelible impact that Beth has left behind and accentuate the palpable void created by her absence.

4 Season 4: Hershel Greene

Since his introduction in season 2 of The Walking Dead, Hershel has consistently symbolized the significance of family. Even after the Governor brutally beheads him, this fundamental characteristic endures. Hershel serves as a posthumous reminder for Rick, emphasizing the importance of family and equilibrium in a world that easily succumbs to brutality. Rick adopts this ideology and guides Carl towards becoming a mature, compassionate, and resilient individual. It is Hershel's wisdom regarding balance that deeply resonates with Rick, as evidenced by one of Rick's hallucinations in season 9 of The Walking Dead, where he engages in a conversation with Hershel, who provides him guidance and encourages him to persevere.

3 Season 3: Lori Grimes

Lori's death in The Walking Dead is particularly graphic as it involves her own son, Carl, euthanizing her after a difficult and blood-filled childbirth. The loss of Lori has a profound impact on Rick, leading him to experience hallucinations of her. Furthermore, Carl is forced to mature quickly and shoulder a greater responsibility in caring for his newborn sister.

Despite the immense pain of losing a wife and mother, Rick and Carl manage to form a new family with other survivors, particularly Michonne. Without the connection between Michonne and Rick, the highly anticipated reunion between Rick and Michonne would never have occurred. Consequently, The Ones Who Live, set to be released in 2024, would have solely focused on Rick.

2 Season 2: Shane Walsh

1 Season 1: Dr. Jenner

Shane is an unpredictable character in The Walking Dead, pleasing or disappointing viewers depending on their perspective. As his involvement with Lori and her pregnancy intertwines with Rick's return, Shane's behavior gradually becomes unstable. Eventually, driven by primal instincts, he becomes willing to eliminate anything or anyone he perceives as a threat, even going as far as targeting Rick. While Shane's tendency to act before thinking holds some validity and echoes Rick's later leadership style in subsequent seasons, his demise leaves a lasting impact as it marks the first overtly brutal act perpetrated by Rick. This pivotal event strengthens Rick, preparing him for the countless betrayals and perils he will encounter in the future.

One of the most significant deaths in The Walking Dead occurs early on in the series. During the season 1 finale, Dr. Jenner reveals to Rick that every human carries the Walker virus within them, and it only becomes active upon death. Additionally, he introduces the concept of French scientists, a storyline that returns in the final installment of The Walking Dead: World Beyond. The upcoming Daryl Dixon spinoff is anticipated to feature mutated zombie variations, a connection to the French scientists mentioned by Jenner.

Dr. Jenner's dedication to discovering a cure and his seemingly unsuccessful endeavors to create one introduced an unexpected threat that fans didn't anticipate paying off until over ten years later in The Walking Dead spinoffs. However, it laid the foundation for additional variations of Walkers, ensuring that Dr. Jenner's relevance persisted long after his passing.