The Walking Dead franchise has redeemed itself following the controversial finale of the flagship series, which failed to impress many dedicated fans. From the Dead City spin-off to the wildly popular Daryl Dixon and The Ones Who Live shows, the universe has expanded while still honoring long-running characters with undeniable plot armor.

Fans want the franchise to continue with exciting adventures and harrowing conflicts that complicate and expand on the dangerous world of the undead. However, dragging out already lengthy character storylines is a good way to ruin the validity of the Walking Dead universe. To expand the world with fresh plots and interesting characters, the franchise already has some exceptional characters to work with, which are often underappreciated. These popular characters have the potential to highlight some underrated situations, which can be told through another spin-off, miniseries, or even a thrilling short.

Connie Has a Specific Skill Set

Connie was a beloved character from her first appearance in The Walking Dead, though she’s a considerably underrated one. She’s known for things such as being a resilient survivor and being close friends with iconic characters like Daryl Dixon, but her unique abilities are underrated. In Season 11, she played a major role in exposing the corruption under Governor Pamela Milton and revolutionizing The Commonwealth.

In the finale, she is still a journalist, like she was before the apocalypse, making sure the new leaders of The Commonwealth are honest and truly working for the good of the community. Even in a short or miniseries, it would be fascinating to see Connie’s role highlighted. Giving this character her own intriguing side quest would also put the spotlight on the only deaf person in TWD, emphasizing the franchise’s ability to respect diversity.

Jerry Is One of the Most Lovable TWD Characters

Jerry is played by Cooper Andrews.

When it comes to loyalty in the harsh world of this post-apocalyptic landscape, dedication to others can get complicated. However, Jerry is one of the most unwaveringly loyal characters in the entire franchise. From The Kingdom to The Hilltop, Alexandria, and the Commonwealth, Jerry remained loyal to his leaders and companions.

He was a caring and loving individual that the audience was excited to see get a happy ending with a wife and children. After the revolution in the Commonwealth, Jerry lives with his family in Alexandria. A character with such exceptional dedication cannot be underutilized. A storyline highlighting Jerry’s best qualities would add some much-needed lightness and love to the dark themes of TWD universe.

Eugene Went From Zero to Hero

Eugene Porter is played by Josh McDermitt.

Among the massive ensemble of characters in The Walking Dead, Eugene Porter is one of the most controversial. He was cowardly and deceitful at the beginning, making him untrustworthy. However, he earned back the trust of many when he turned on the Negan during the Saviors War and helped his allies win. In the Commonwealth, he was wrongfully charged with the murder of Pamela’s son but ended up having a happy life with his spouse, Max, and their daughter, Rosie.

A character with such an exceptional arc has just as much potential as the obvious heroes of this franchise. Given the opportunity, Eugene’s storyline could expand to show how someone with such a unique mind can aid in restoring and rebuilding communities to sustain themselves similarly to the way the world once did.

Mercer Is a Hero That Needs More Time to Shine

Mercer is played by Michael James Shaw.

Many of The Walking Dead’s heroes are long-running characters, but Michael Mercer was a fantastic addition to the apocalyptic world. Though he was only in the final season of the series, he went from a dedicated general to a revolutionary who helped right the wrongs in his community. In the finale, Mercer was Lieutenant Governor, working alongside Ezekiel to maintain peace and prosperity in the Commonwealth.

There is endless potential to expand on Mercer’s storyline. As a character from the source material, the franchise can pull from the canon or create a fresh plot. As an important figure in the franchise’s world, there are many scenarios that could expand TWD universe. A prequel highlighting Mercer’s story before the Commonwealth and Season 11 would also be a fascinating arc to flesh out.

Lydia Has One of the Most Complicated Stories

All the children who grew up during the apocalypse had a difficult childhood, but Lydia’s storyline is unique from the rest. While kids like Carl and Judith were raised by heroes like Rick and Michonne, Lydia was raised by an undeniable villain who praised the undead instead of treating them like the enemy that they are.

It took incredible strength for Lydia to go against her mother, Alpha, and fight for the heroes, even if it meant turning her back on everything she’d ever known. In the finale, after losing her arm, Lydia and her partner, Elijah, go between the communities delivering messages for Hilltop. This important responsibility gives The Walking Dead creators ample opportunity to create a fascinating scenario that centers on Lydia.

Morgan Is a Long-Running Fan-Favorite Survivor

Morgan Jones is played by Lennie James.

Few characters have had quite as extraordinary of a journey as Morgan Jones. He went through a terrible loss in TWD, losing his wife and child before regaining his humanity after a chance encounter with an inspirational mentor. After struggling with not wanting to kill during the Saviors War, Morgan became a central character in Fear The Walking Dead, going through another exceptional journey that resulted in him heading back to Alexandria with his daughter, Mo, in the finale.

Morgan could reasonably return in one of the current spin-offs, but this beloved character has earned a show that centers on him. Since many viewers are eager to learn what has been going on in Alexandria and the other communities since TWD finale, a mini-series dedicated to his travels and obstacles before returning home would be a welcome addition to the franchise.

Judith Has the Potential to Be a Next-Generation Main Character

Judith Grimes (following the time jump in Season 9) is played by Cailey Fleming.

Between temporarily losing her father and then her adopted mother, Judith Grimes has had an exceptional storyline. Audiences were impressed with the final season mirroring her storyline with her brother Carl’s by having her get shot and surviving to help her community grow and thrive.

Given the opportunity, The Walking Dead franchise can expand through the storylines of the next generation. While the plots originally followed long-running heroes like Rick and Morgan, the time passed has given the option to focus on the generation raised in the apocalypse. A storyline focused on a character like Judith Grimes would outline the opposing viewpoints of those who grew up post-apocalypse vs those raised in the mayhem of the undead world.

Ezekiel Is a Leader With More to Come

Ezekiel is played by Khary Payton.

After the conclusion of TWD, viewers were left wondering what the future of The Commonwealth looks like. However, it was hopeful, considering that a strong leader like Ezekiel was the governor of the powerful community after Pamela Milton was overthrown and the leadership of the Commonwealth was revolutionized.

There are a couple of different ways a spin-off could go that would center on Ezekiel, including observing his rule of the Commonwealth or his backstory before The Kingdom. A prequel could outline how Ezekiel became a king and earned the trust of his tiger, Shiva. Alternatively, a modern spin-off could further develop how the world is prospering under the rule of leaders like Ezekiel.

Dwight & Sherry Are Headed to the Sanctuary

Dwight is played by Austin Amelio.
Sherry is played by Christine Evangelista.

At the end of Fear The Walking Dead, Dwight and Sherry, now leaders of “MADRE” (formerly PADRE), are looking for a safe place to take their community. The two decide that Negan’s Sanctuary in Virginia is a good place to rebuild, despite the trauma they suffered there and having no idea what state the building has fallen into within the several years they’ve been gone.

Though their ending was controversial among viewers, it would be interesting to see their journey to the Sanctuary and see how their decisions affect them, their people, and the surrounding communities in the area, including Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Commonwealth. A story dedicated to these two underrated characters could also reasonably spill into other spin-offs, such as Dead City.

Gabriel Has an Exceptional Redemption Arc

The Ones Who Live renewed audiences’ interest in Gabriel when he made a surprise appearance, revealing that he and Jadis (Anne) have been meeting in secret throughout the years. Before this flashback sequence, viewers know Gabriel’s conclusion was one of redemption, standing up for the people of the Commonwealth and demanding the wealthy rulers open the gates to save the city’s populace (which he failed to do for his congregation at the beginning of the apocalypse).

Currently, Gabriel is likely still a prominent leader in Alexandria, raising his adopted daughter Coco (the child of his deceased spouse, Rosita) and preaching at his newly-found church. However, with such an exceptional arc already, fans can only assume there are some exciting tales left to tell from Gabriel’s point of view if the creators give him the chance to shine once again.