The Walking Dead Fans Demand More—Which Characters Need Their Own Spin-offs?

In the era of spin-offs, which characters in The Walking Dead Universe could carry their own show? And which ones are better suited for a spotlight episode in Tales of the Walking Dead?

Ross Marquand as Aaron, Seth Gilliam as Father Gabriel Stokes – The Walking Dead _ Season 11, Episode 16 – Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC

The idea of The Walking Dead universe (TWDU) in 2025 is interesting. While the flagship series has been wrapped up for nearly two and a half years, the franchise has never been more alive. With three recent, highly successful spin-offs centered around the show’s original characters—and The Walking Dead’s chief content officer Scott Gimple working on expanding the already massive franchise—it’s safe to say we can expect to see a few familiar favorites return to our screens in the near future.

So, the question isn’t quite “when” but “who.”

With Dead City featuring Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Daryl Dixon obviously highlighting Daryl (Norman Reedus) and now Carol (Melissa McBride), and The Ones Who Live finally reuniting Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira), who does that leave behind that could still carry an entire series—or even a limited one?

Lauren Cohan as Maggie, Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, Seth Gilliam as Gabriel, Callan McAuliffe as Alden, Glenn Stanton as Frost, Marcus Lewis as Duncan- The Walking Dead _ Season 11 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC

Over the years, so many great characters have come and gone throughout TWDU that it was almost impossible for the writers to give all of them the same attention as central figures like Rick and Carol. A lot of promising characters never lived up to their full potential, whether because of death or simply fighting for screen time.

That said, many of these characters still managed to prove how much value they could add to the story if given the chance. With AMC showing no signs of stopping The Walking Dead train anytime soon, which characters could naturally lead their own series, and which ones would be better suited for a one-hour, self-contained episode in Tales of the Walking Dead?

Walking Dead: Spinoff or Tales of TWD episode?

(Warning: Spoilers across all TWDU content below.)

SPIN-OFF: GABRIEL AND AARON

Seth Gilliam as Gabriel, Ross Marquand as Aaron – The Walking Dead _ Season 10, Episode 19 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC

The most obvious—and widely speculated—choice for a spin-off among fans is the pairing of Father Gabriel Stokes (Seth Gilliam) and Aaron (Ross Marquand). Making their on-screen debuts in season five, both characters had their moments in the spotlight but were often relegated to the background. It wasn’t until Rick Grimes’ departure in season nine that these two underused characters had a chance to step up and became fan favorites by the series’ end. Father Gabriel even made a brief cameo in The Ones Who Live.

Their pairing came about in season 10 and culminated in “One More,” one of the season’s best episodes. Produced as one of six bonus episodes during the height of COVID lockdowns, “One More” was a classic Walking Dead bottle episode featuring just one or two characters. While these types of episodes have been divisive among fans in the past, this one subverted expectations and delivered a gripping, surprising story. The episode highlighted the chemistry between Gabriel and Aaron while exploring their resilience and moral struggles. If this episode was a test pilot for a Gabriel and Aaron-centered series, it succeeded in justifying a full spin-off of their adventures.

TALES of TWD EPISODE: NAT

Matthew Jeffers as Nat – The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live _ Season 1, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Nat (Matthew Jeffers) was easily the standout character of The Ones Who Live. He played a pivotal role in Michonne’s journey to reunite with Rick Grimes, giving her the resources and courage to push forward. Nat started off as a nihilistic but misunderstood genius, but over time, he and Michonne formed a deep bond that profoundly impacted them both.

Unfortunately, Nat met his end in the same episode he was introduced, killed by a CRM soldier during the climactic attack that reunited Rick and Michonne. Despite his short screen time, Nat left a lasting impression on fans, and his story felt incomplete. A Tales of the Walking Dead episode could explore Nat’s backstory with his comrades Aiden (Breeda Wool) and Bailey (Andrew Bachelor) before their tragic deaths at the hands of the CRM.

SPIN-OFF: EZEKIEL AND JERRY

Cooper Andrews as Jerry, Khary Payton as Ezekiel – The Walking Dead _ Season 10, Episode 4 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Season seven was a turning point for The Walking Dead, with many viewers finding the content too grim after Negan brutally killed Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Abraham (Michael Cudlitz). However, the introduction of King Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and Jerry (Cooper Andrews) provided a bright spot amidst the darkness. Ezekiel led The Kingdom, an idyllic medieval-style community, with Jerry as his cheerful right-hand man.

Both characters grew significantly throughout the series. Ezekiel’s losses—including his Kingdom, adoptive son Henry (Matt Lintz), and pet tiger Shiva—humbled him. Still, he never lost his humanity or hope, eventually becoming the leader of The Commonwealth. Jerry, meanwhile, became a father, skilled fighter, and trusted Alexandrian, even hinting at starting his own Kingdom someday. A limited series could reunite this fan-favorite duo, giving them the spotlight they deserve while bringing some much-needed levity to The Walking Dead universe, which at times can be cruel and unforgiving.

TALES of TWD EPISODE: THE REAPERS

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Ritchie Coster as Pope, Eric LeBlanc as Powell, Michael Shenefelt as Bossie, Ethan McDowell as Washington in The Walking Dead Season 11, Episode 4 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC

The Reapers were hands down some of the scariest villains in the entire run of The Walking Dead. Sure, they weren’t cannibals or feral people wearing dead skin masks, but this group of military-trained assassins killed for sport and had a twisted philosophy with religious cult undertones. Led by the mysterious and calculating Pope (Ritchie Coster), the group included memorable members like Leah Shaw (Lynn Collins) and Brandon Carver (Alex Meraz).

Unfortunately, their storyline was cut short as the show shifted focus to The Commonwealth. While the Reapers’ arc did end climactic, giving us one of the best episodes of the Angela Kang era, it felt rushed and unexplored. A Tales of the Walking Dead episode could dive into Pope’s backstory and explore how the Reapers were formed, giving fans a better understanding of one of the show’s most chilling factions.

SPIN-OFF: ALICIA AND MADISON CLARK

Alycia Debnam-Carey as Alicia Clark, Kim Dickens as Madison Clark – Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 12 – Photo Credit: Seth F. Johnson/AMC

Fear the Walking Dead has had a complicated legacy, to say the least. Some fans hailed its early seasons as superior to the flagship series, but then criticized the show for taking an abrupt left turn in season four, shifting focus away from the Clark family. Madison Clark (Kim Dickens), the matriarch of the Clark family, was perplexingly written off in season four, leaving Alicia Clark (Alycia Debnam-Carey) as the last standing member after her brother Nick (Frank Dillane) was also killed off that same season.

Although Madison returned in the show’s disastrous final season, her eventual reunion with Alicia was gratifying but frustratingly brief, leaving fans wanting more. A limited series focusing on Alicia and Madison could finally give fans the mother-daughter dynamic they’ve been craving, while bringing back FTWD fan-favorite characters such as Daniel (Rubén Blades) or Strand (Colman Domingo) for cameos.

TALES EPISODE: TROY OTTO

Daniel Sharman as Troy Otto – Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 8 – Photo Credit: Lauren “Lo” Smith/AMC

Troy Otto (Daniel Sharman) is another example of wasted potential in Fear the Walking Dead. Troy was one of Fear’s most intriguing characters, starting as an antagonist in season three. His complex relationship with the Clark family, particularly Nick, and his erratic behavior made him both fascinating and dangerous.

Madison ultimately deemed Troy too much of a liability, bludgeoning him with a hammer at the end of season three. However, fans believed Troy could have redeemed himself if given the chance. His unexpected return in Fear’s final season reignited interest in the character, though his story was once again cut short by Madison. A Tales episode exploring the time between his presumed death and reappearance could be pretty compelling and let us spend more time with the character.

SPIN-OFF: CONNIE

Lauren Ridloff as Connie – The Walking Dead _ Season 11, Episode 24 – Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC

Connie (Lauren Ridloff), introduced in season nine, quickly became a fan favorite. Based on a pretty minor character from the comics, Connie brought a unique perspective to the apocalypse as a deaf survivor. Lauren Ridloff’s performance gave the character charm, strength, and humanity, making Connie one of the most likable additions to the show.

Throughout her brief run on the show, Connie formed a meaningful (and potentially romantic) relationship with Daryl and left a lasting impression. Connie’s standout moment came in season eleven’s “On the Inside,” which happens to be one of the scariest episodes of the series. A spin-off focused on Connie would not only give her character the attention she deserved but would also give us a chance to check in on her companions Kelly (Angel Theory), Magna (Nadia Hilker), and Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura).

TALES of TWD EPISODE: JOE

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Jeff Kober – The Walking Dead _ Season 4, Episode 16 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

For those who don’t remember, Joe (Jeff Kober) was the leader of a gang unofficially called The Claimers. This nomadic group of thugs followed one simple philosophy: you can take anything you want as long as you “claim” it. Members of Rick’s group had various run-ins with Joe in season four of The Walking Dead during their time wandering the Georgia backwoods after the destruction of the prison. Daryl joined The Claimers briefly after losing Beth (Emily Kinney), while Rick, Michonne, and Carl (Chandler Riggs) had their own deadly encounters with the group. This all culminated in one of the show’s most unforgettable scenes when Rick savagely bit into Joe’s jugular.

Despite only appearing in a handful of episodes, Joe left a lasting impression on fans. He even made a brief return in the short web series Red Machete. A Tales of the Walking Dead episode exploring Joe’s backstory—how he formed The Claimers and developed their twisted code—could offer more depth to one of The Walking Dead’s most memorable minor villains.

TALES of TWD EPISODE: LANCE HORNSBY

Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton) was the not-so-secret MVP of season eleven, elevating The Commonwealth arc in surprising and unforgettable ways. Unlike villains like The Governor (David Morrissey), Alpha (Samantha Morton), or Negan, who relied on extreme violence and intimidation, Lance used manipulation, strategy, and politics to achieve his goals, making him a unique and dangerous adversary.

Lance was at his best when he operated in the shadows—using his network of spies and playing key figures within The Commonwealth against each other like a master manipulator, but like a lot ofTWD characters, Lance’s story was cut short before he could fully establish himself as the primary antagonist. A Tales of the Walking Dead episode focused on Lance’s rise to power would give fans a deeper understanding of his “House of Cards”-style tactics and cement him as one of the most unique and compelling villains in the franchise.

SPIN-OFF: JUDITH GRIMES AND THE NEXT GENERATION

Every fan remembers the moment they found out Carl (Chandler Riggs) was going to die on The Walking Dead. What started as a complete shock turned into denial and then overwhelming dread. With Carl gone, many wondered if there was any hope left for the future of the show. Say what you will about Carl’s exit, but without it, we probably wouldn’t have gotten Judith (Cailey Fleming) as a main character in the later seasons. Played by the talented and adorable Cailey Fleming, Judith became the light at the end of the tunnel, and the heartbeat of the latter seasons, carrying on the Grimes legacy and reviving hope for the future. Along with RJ Grimes (Antony Azor), Rosita’s daughter Coco, Aaron’s daughter Gracie, and Glenn and Maggie’s son Hershel, it seemed like the next generation of survivors was in good hands.

At one point, The Walking Dead almost ended with a massive time jump, showing what some of the legacy offspring, like Judith, RJ, and the others, would be doing far in the future. According to the show’s director of photography, Duane Charles Manwiller, they even filmed a scene with adult actors cast in the roles, but it was scrapped. Perhaps it would have interfered with the spin-off timelines, but who knows? Maybe once all the current stories are told, we’ll finally get a Next Generation spin-off, following the adventures of adult Judith and RJ as they carry on the Grimes legacy.

From underutilized characters like Gabriel and Aaron to fan-favorite villains like Lance Hornsby, TWDU clearly has no shortage of stories left to tell. Whether through spin-offs or anthology episodes, these characters deserve another chance to shine.