Daryl Dixon Season 2 is the newest installment of The Walking Dead franchise. Though the spin-off has included a large cast of fresh and interesting characters in the horror series, this season saw the return of original character, Carol. This was an exciting and welcome return for dedicated fans. However, critical viewers of the franchise wonder if bringing back complex, long-running characters is a mistake compared to introducing new survivors.

In recent years, The Walking Dead franchise has continued to focus on long-running characters over new ones, giving prominent people plot armor while killing off new additions as quickly as they arrive. Many viewers don’t deny that they enjoy seeing their favorite characters take on new adventures. Despite this, the controversy surrounding The Walking Dead’s characters brings up concerns that the series will undergo another drop in popularity. The show has several controversial characters that outline this key element of tension among viewers.

10Andrea Wasn’t Easily Lovable

In the timeline of The Walking Dead franchise, Andrea has been dead for around a decade. However, she’s still one of the series’ most talked about and complicated characters. From the beginning, fans were put off by her bold and commanding demeanor despite having little skill to survive in the apocalyptic world.

Andrea died from a walker bite in Season 3, Episode 16, “Welcome to the Tombs.”

Despite this unlikable aspect of Andrea’s characterization, other viewers disagree with this perception, believing she was a strong person determined to take charge of her future and learn how to survive. This was the opinions dividing fans for most of her storyline. When she allied with the Governor and refused to kill him to save other people, many fans of hers were disappointed in her decisions and weren’t particularly devastated to see her go.

9Carol Has Made Many Questionable Decisions

There’s no denying that Carol has had one of the most exceptional evolutions of a character ever seen in a TV show. Though she wasn’t a likable character initially, mainly staying on the sidelines and following Rick’s leadership, Carol quickly proved herself the most capable survivor. Unfortunately, it’s how she managed to stay alive and protect her loved ones that became a point of tension among viewers.

Melissa McBride’s Carol is one of the four characters from the first season who is still active in The Walking Dead franchise.

Many viewers agree with Carol’s perception of herself, believing she is too comfortable killing other people to protect herself and others. On the other hand, many are annoyed with this complicated aspect of her character, recognizing that the need to defend themselves against their living enemies is a necessary evil of surviving the zombie apocalypse. The complexities of Carol’s personality make fans either love or hate her continued storyline.

8Morgan Is Either the Best or the Worst

After Morgan helped Rick begin his adventure in the first episode, he was (mostly) unaccounted for until he found his old friend in Alexandria. He had a complicated evolution, losing himself after the loss of his son and then creating tensions in Alexandria when he refused to kill the living. After the Saviors’ War depleted Morgan’s mental health, he left and became a star character in Fear The Walking Dead, which gave him a sendoff worthy of his expansive storyline.

Morgan Jones was last seen in the mid-season finale of Fear the Walking Dead’s last season.

For some viewers, Morgan’s value of the living was a major turn-off, giving the perception that he was willing to let allies die to protect strangers. On the other hand, fans recognize Morgan’s back and forth with killing and conditional pacifism, emphasizing his important mental health journey that is a crucial representation in a post-apocalyptic world.

7Gabriel Had an Unconventional Development

Gabriel is one of The Walking Dead characters that was immediately untrustworthy, especially after it’s revealed he left his parishioners to die outside his church and then turned on Rick’s group in Alexandria. He struggled with his faith in God and the new world that demanded violence to survive. By the end, Gabriel became a leader who was able to find a balance between his religious beliefs and survival skills.

Gabriel was one of the few The Walking Dead characters to be featured in The Ones Who Live spin-off.

Certain fans have not been convinced about Gabriel’s evolution throughout the years, disliking his inclusion and continued presence after the atrocities he committed at the beginning of the apocalypse. Others wholeheartedly disagree with this, believing Gabriel is severely underrated and has one of the best arcs in the entire franchise.

6Eugene Struggled to Escape His Weak Persona

Viewers were skeptical when Eugene joined The Walking Dead in Season 4 and said he knew how to end the apocalypse. When it was finally revealed he was lying to get others to protect him, he became one of the most disliked characters ever. For many years, Eugene was wholly reliant on others and could not defend himself, leading to the perception that he was a weak link in the community.

In The Walking Dead comics, Eugene and Rosita form a romantic relationship in Alexandria. In the show, however, they maintain a platonic relationship.

Despite Eugene’s weaknesses, he had a redemption arc in the last couple of seasons. After turning on the Saviors to save his people, Eugene became determined to learn survival skills. By the finale, he was nearly as capable as any other long-running survivor, utilizing both his intellectual and physical abilities. Though many enjoyed this development of his character, others still don’t believe he deserved redemption or completely broke away from his weak persona.

5Rosita Had a Strong Personality

Rosita became a part of The Walking Dead in the same episode as Eugene and Abraham. Despite her exceptional ability to survive and utilize the knowledge of others to constantly acquire new skills, she was not well-liked among fans. Certain viewers thought she was an underdeveloped character who didn’t provide much to the plot, suggesting she should have been killed off sooner than her death in The Walking Dead finale.

In The Walking Dead comics, Rosita becomes one of the “Pike Heads” that Alpha uses to mark the Whisperers’ border.

However, Rosita has a surprisingly strong following that defies the typical perception of her character. She captured these fans by being a feminist icon who was able to be vulnerable and emotional while also being unapologetic about her decisions and faults. Her dominating personality was unimpressive to some and inspiring to others.

4Lori Had a Tragic Storyline

Many TWD fans consider Lori Grimes one of the original villains. Aside from the affair she had with Shane before she knew Rick was still alive, Lori was often unproductive in her criticism and advice. Though she expected Rick to keep their family alive and safe, she was also often cynical about their situation and criticized their leaders for decisions she would initially encourage.

In The Walking Dead comics, both Lori and infant Judith die when the Governor raids the prison.

Most fans seem to denounce her character, but there is still a dedicated group that defends her actions based on her situation. Lori thought she’d lost her husband and then nearly lost her young son not long before she found out she was pregnant and facing bringing a child into the apocalyptic world. This was an immeasurable amount of stress that isn’t often discussed when analyzing Lori’s character.

3Rick Is a Flawed Hero

From the beginning of TWD, Rick Grimes was a major focal point in the overall storyline. Despite not being in the last couple of seasons, he had a lasting impact on every main character. Even so, Rick is one of the most controversial characters. His leadership skills were often flawed, mainly based on his distrust of others, which led to further strife and hardship.

After The Ones Who Lives finally, The Walking Dead franchise has yet to confirm if Andrew Lincoln’s Rick will make another appearance.

Some fans dislike Rick’s character arc so much that they wish the show had followed the comic storyline, killing off Rick and keeping his son, Carl, alive. This is a prominent opinion among TWD fans, but one that doesn’t overshadow his popularity. Throughout Rick’s storyline, his core values of taking care of his family and building toward a future worth living for have remained, which was emphasized in the spin-off series The Ones Who Live.

2Maggie Still Needs More Agency

From the beginning of Maggie’s storyline, her purpose revolved around her family and then her fan-favorite romance and relationship with Glenn. After the loss of her husband and the birth of her son, Maggie became a leader who strayed from her original group. Her dedication to her found family evolved into a need to lead her people at Hilltop, even if it meant denying allies help and resources.

The Walking Dead: Dead City doesn’t have a release date for Season 2, but it is confirmed the spin-off will return in 2025.

Many believe Maggie has had little agency throughout the franchise, with her storyline focusing on utilizing her survival skills to keep her family alive and not developing her character beyond that. This controversy concerning Maggie’s character continued in Dead City Season 2. Though Maggie is beloved among many fans, most agree her personality and emotional development have been stagnant for too long.

1Negan Cannot Escape His Villainous Past

Negan first appeared on The Walking Dead at the end of Season 6, making him instantly horrific when he kills fan favorites Abraham and Glenn. However, his charismatic and quirky personality quickly won viewers over. By the time he becomes a redeemed villain turned hero in Season 9, audiences were ready to embrace him as a main character in the franchise.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is best known for his role as Negan, but he also had notable reoccurring roles in hit TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy , The Good Wife , and Supernatural .

There’s no denying Negan’s character is entertaining. Regardless of this, some viewers claim they will never accept him as a hero. Others even suggest he was much more likable as a villain and is unconvincing as a morally gray “good guy.” As the only main character who was a true villain in the franchise, Negan continues to be the most controversial person in the TV series.