A split image of Daryl and Carol from the Walking Dead

As The Walking Dead winds down to its series finale, the show has plenty of loose ends to trim. AMC confirmed Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, and Andrew Lincoln are returning for a spinoff series, so we know they survive Season 11, Part 3. Besides that, it’s anyone’s guess who makes it out alive.

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The Walking Dead kills off its main characters without warning, and eight episodes remain, so practically no one is safe. Between returning and reuniting main characters, possible love interests, and villains who deserve a reckoning, fans hope for an exciting, gory, and memorable end to the record-breaking show.

10Cameos From Returning Characters

Herschel's death on The Walking Dead

In a television series about the zombie apocalypse, it’s less surprising when major characters don’t survive. One of the defining elements of The Walking Dead is still the unexpected ends of fan-favorite characters. However, the series is also known for bringing back actors, even after they’ve perished.

The Walking Dead does an incredible job of changing up the platform of each episode and giving viewers different perspectives. They can bring back any character in dream sequences and flashbacks. As the series ends, fans hope to see the faces of some popular characters who should have made it to the final season.

9Carol Goes Out In A Blaze Of Glory

Carol fights off a Walker in The Walking Dead

Of all of The Walking Dead‘s heroes, Carol’s character arc is the most impressive. When fans first met Carol, she was a timid housewife in an abusive marriage. She lost her daughter in Season 2, and between grief and fear, no one expected her to last much longer.

Throughout the show, Carol became one of the strongest and most-skilled survivors. She’s rescued everyone on multiple occasions. Fans know a couple of characters will survive and are hoping to see Carol do the same. If not, they hope she’ll go out in a glorious and awe-inspiring fashion.

8Lance Hornsby Gets What’s Coming To Him

The Walking Dead's Lance Hornsby Oceanside

As the Deputy Governor of The Commonwealth, Lance Hornsby holds a lot of power. He’s also very good at manipulating others to get what he wants. He attempted to get in Governor Pamela Milton’s good graces by making a deal with Carol but winded up at odds with her.

As the primary antagonist of Season 11, Lance has proven to be ruthless and cruel. He’s intent on overthrowing Pamela’s rule to incorporate new communities and expand The Commonwealth. Like anyone thirsty for power on The Walking Dead, Lance’s days are numbered, and fans can’t wait.

7Fall Of The Commonwealth

Walking Dead Commonwealth soldiers and Stormtroopers

As is true for all the communities introduced in The Walking Dead, the Commonwealth’s leaders had to be ruthless to survive tumultuous times. Pamela Milton, played by actor Laila Robins, was a politician before the apocalypse and helped raise The Commonwealth to prominence in the zombie-infested waste.

In recent episodes, residents of The Commonwealth accused Pamela of lying, and Maggie accused her of running an autocracy. It’s only a matter of time before The Commonwealth falls, along with the soldiers in their cringe-worthy armor. How it happens is anyone’s guess, but it should be memorable.

6Establishing A New Relationship Between Maggie And Negan

Negan and Maggie talking over a campfire on The Walking Dead

Negan and Maggie have had a contentious relationship, to say the very least. It’s understandable since Negan disappointed fans by taking Glenn’s life. When Maggie parted ways with The Walking Dead, Rick let Negan survive and sit in a jail cell for six years. Maggie returned for season 11, and relations were tense between the two.

Maggie and Negan appear to have settled their differences, but the show should provide some closure over Glenn’s death. We know both characters survive since Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan are returning for a spinoff entitled The Walking Dead: Dead City.

5A Romantic Moment Between Connie And Daryl

Connie and Daryl, alone in the woods in The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead set up a strong bond between Daryl and Connie. Played by the incredible Lauren Ridloff, Connie went missing early in Season 10 and was absent from the series as she portrayed Makkari in Marvel Studios’ Eternals. She reunited with the group in Alexandria in Season 11, Part 2.

Connie and Daryl had a brief moment together but were separated again, as the series tends to do. Eight episodes remain, and fans would be thrilled to see one romantic moment between the two characters.

4Dog, The Walker Hunter

Daryl leads a party of zombie hunters, and Dog, on The Walking Dead

All television and movie fans love pets. A show about the zombie apocalypse isn’t where most fans would look to find a beloved animal, but Dog captured people’s hearts. Dog has been a loyal companion from Season 9 since Daryl adopted him after Leah Shaw went missing.

Dog experienced some close calls over the last couple of seasons and is a true survivor. Only eight episodes remain, and it would be cruel for the writers to kill Dog off before the final credits roll.

3More Tough Moments From Judith Grimes

Judith holding her father's hat in The Walking Dead Season 9

Fans have watched Judith Grimes grow up for eight seasons of The Walking Dead. The sensational Cailey Fleming has played Judith since the show made a six-year time jump following Rick’s disappearance. She’s the remaining vestige of the Grimes family on the show.

Judith picked up a gritty attitude from Rick and Carl and katana skills from Michonne. She is responsible for saving the lives of many of Alexandria’s residents. In the show’s final eight episodes, fans hope to see multiple moments where Judith kicks some walker butt.

2Michonne Reunites With Her Family

Michonne and Rick in tense conversation on The Walking Dead.

Fans of The Walking Dead witnessed Michonne’s departure in the episode “What We Become” in Season 10. Danai Gurira became an MCU favorite as Okoye in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. She will reprise her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Michonne’s introduction into The Walking Dead‘s world was one of the series’ most memorable moments. Upon her departure, Michonne saved two strangers and joined another community of survivors. Fans would love to see her brought back before the finale in a reunion with Rick, her son, and Judith.

1The Return Of Rick Grimes

THe Walking Dead's Rick Grimes

The Walking Dead series premiere opened with Rick Grimes waking up from a coma at the start of the zombie apocalypse. For nine seasons, Rick led the show and was arguably its most popular character. However, Andrew Lincoln exited the show in 2018 to focus on his family.

AMC teased a trilogy of films featuring Rick Grimes but ultimately canceled this project. News about a limited series featuring Rick arrived at SDCC 2022. What better way to promote the series than to bring Rick back for one final fight? Showrunners would be remiss to end The Walking Dead without the man who started it all.