Best Walking Dead Characters Not In The Show, Ranked

Summary

• Billy Greene, a lost character, brought depth to The Walking Dead comics with his growth and selfless actions.
• Jeffrey Grimes offers a heartbreaking “what if” scenario, portraying a resilient everyman in a cruel world.
• Characters like Alice Warren and Lee Everett from the comics and games prove that strong personalities exist beyond the TV show.

This list contains spoilers!

The AMC TV adaptation of The Walking Dead brought to life many unforgettable characters, but it also left behind some of the most compelling figures from the comics and video games. While Daryl Dixon and Merle became fan favorites despite never appearing in the source material, others who played crucial roles in the comics and games never made the jump to the screen.

Characters like Alice Warren, the brilliant and fearless nurse who defied the Governor, are just a few examples of those left behind. The Telltale Games series also introduced original protagonists like Lee Everett, whose emotional journey with Clementine remains one of the franchise’s most gripping narratives. These characters shaped the world of The Walking Dead just as much as their on-screen counterparts, proving that the franchise’s strongest personalities aren’t limited to what aired on AMC.

8

Billy Greene

Impulsive Teen Who Transformed Into A Loyal Protector

• Appeared in: Skybound Entertainment’s Comic Universe
• First Appearance: Issue 10
• Last Appearance: Issue 48
• Status: Dead

Billy Greene, one of the many characters lost in translation from comic to screen, brought a mix of youthful recklessness and quiet heroism to The Walking Dead comics. Unlike the show, which sidelined much of the Greene family, Billy’s presence in the comics added depth to Hershel’s arc and the group’s dynamic. As Hershel’s youngest son, he started as an impulsive teenager but grew into a capable fighter, proving his worth when it mattered. His brash nature led to trouble, such as questionable choices and clashes with his father, but beneath it all, he was loyal, kind, and deeply protective of those he cared about.

When the battle against Woodbury erupted, Billy stepped up, taking down several of the Governor’s men before meeting a brutal end. Unfortunately, his death wasn’t just another loss because it broke Hershel, leaving him without the will to fight.

7

Jeffrey Grimes

Rick’s Brother, Who Symbolizes The Family’s Lost Potential

• Appeared In: Image Comics’ The Walking Dead
• Only appearance: The Walking Dead: The Alien
• Status: Dead

Jeffrey Grimes, the protagonist of The Walking Dead: The Alien and Rick’s long-lost brother, offers a heartbreaking “what if” for the Grimes family. His story is a haunting reminder of the family Rick never got to reunite with and the countless lives lost before they had a chance to fight back.

Stranded in Barcelona at the start of the apocalypse, Jeff’s unprepared, out of his depth, and forced to adapt fast. With the help of fellow survivor Claudia, he learns to fight, navigate the city, and push forward, proving his quiet resilience in the face of chaos.

Unlike Rick, who becomes a hardened leader, Jeff remains an everyman—warm, selfless, and hopeful. His friendship with Claudia cements his humanity, making his fate all the more tragic. When the moment comes, he doesn’t hesitate, sacrificing himself to save her. Even as he’s bitten, his focus isn’t on survival but on getting a message to Rick – one that never reaches him, sadly.

6

Kenny

Fiercely Loyal Survivor Whose Painful Journey Was Unforgettable

• Appeared In: The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series
• First Appearance: A New Day
• Last Appearance: No Going Back or Thicker Than Water
• Status: Determinant

Kenny, one of Telltale’s The Walking Dead‘s most polarizing figures, sparks intense debate for good reason. A fiercely loyal family man turned hardened survivor, he evolved from a co-leader in Season One to a man shaped by loss and pain. From the moment he joined the Motel Survivors, his clashes with Lee and Lilly defined his journey, but over time, he found a reluctant respect for Lee’s leadership. Hot-headed, stubborn, and prone to recklessness, Kenny’s volatile nature made him both lovable and maddening.

At his core, Kenny’s need for purpose drove him. The deaths of his wife, Katjaa, and son, Duck, shattered him, sending him spiraling. Desperate to find meaning, he clung to the idea of escaping via boat, only to face more crushing disappointment. In Season Two, Sarita becomes his new anchor until her tragic death leaves him lost again. But the birth of Alvin Jr. reignited his sense of duty, and Kenny fiercely protected the child, no matter what brutal decisions it took. Ultimately, he was one of the most human characters in the series—flawed, emotional, and unforgettable.

5

Pete

Pacifist Leader Who Held Onto Humanity In A Brutal World

• Appeared In: Skybound Entertainment’s Comic Universe, Telltale’s The Walking Dead: Michonne, and Image Comics’ The Walking Dead
• First Appearance: Issue 139
• Last Appearance: Issue 158
• Status: Unknown

Pete is a rare anomaly in The Walking Dead universe—a man who refuses to let the apocalypse strip away his humanity. Charismatic, level-headed, and resolute in his ideals, he’s a rare example of decency in a world where fear and cruelty dictate survival. As captain of his ship, The Companion, and a key figure in Oceanside, Pete stands out not for his brutality but for his unwavering belief in kindness and forgiveness. Whether in Telltale’s The Walking Dead: Michonne or The Walking Dead comics, he practices reason and restraint in a world ruled by violence.

Unlike most survivors, Pete is a pacifist, stepping into conflict only when absolutely necessary. His influence is undeniable, as he stops Michonne from making a devastating choice and convinces Ezekiel to keep searching for her, proving that hope still has a place in the apocalypse. Even as the Whisperer War looms, he refuses to throw his people into a fight that isn’t theirs.

4

Kapoor

Justice-Driven Sheriff Who Upheld Order In A Rebuilt Society

• Appeared In: Image Comics’ The Walking Dead
• Only Appearance: Issue 193
• Status: Alive

Kapoor, introduced in The Walking Dead‘s final issue, is the sheriff of the Commonwealth, a rebuilt society 25 years after Rick Grimes’ death. In contrast to the chaos that preceded it, the Commonwealth thrives on strict laws, and Kapoor is the enforcer, ensuring justice, even when it means upholding controversial rules. His most memorable moment comes when Carl Grimes defies the law by killing Hershel Greene’s walkers, bizarrely classified as private property.

Though familiar with Carl, Kapoor doesn’t let personal history cloud his judgment. He initially seeks to minimize Carl’s punishment, but when Carl escalates the situation, Kapoor remains firm in his duty. His commitment to justice and order is unwavering, proving that he can balance fairness with the need for control. Though his role is brief, Kapoor’s integrity and dedication to the law make him a fascinating figure. In another timeline, he could’ve been a leading force in The Walking Dead universe, with his impact lasting far beyond the final pages.

3

Alice Warren

Compassionate Nurse Who Defied The Governor For What’s Right

• Appeared In: Skybound Entertainment’s Comic Universe and Image Comics’ The Walking Dead
• First Appearance: Issue 29
• Last Appearance: Issue 48
• Status: Dead

Alice Warren is a standout character in The Walking Dead comics, blending brains, heart, and guts in a world where those traits are rare. A former interior design student, she’s thrown into the apocalypse and quickly adapts, learning medicine under Dr. Stevens in Woodbury. Unlike many, she refuses to follow the Governor’s cruel leadership, instead choosing to help Rick, Glenn, and Martínez escape.

Alice’s medical skills, though new, are critical to the prison survivors. She steps up when Lori goes into labor, saving the baby despite her inexperience. But it’s her curiosity that truly defines her—she dares to study walkers, hoping to find a cure. Alice’s bravery goes beyond her knowledge; she fights fiercely during the Governor’s assault, refusing to abandon anyone. Her final act of defiance sees her holding the line until the Governor ends her life, solidifying her as one of the most selfless and memorable characters never adapted to the screen.

2

Lee Everett

Redeemed Teacher Who Became A Father Figure In The Apocalypse

• Appeared In: The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series
• First Appearance: A New Day
• Last Appearance: Broken Toys
• Status: Determinant

Lee Everett’s impact on Telltale’s The Walking Dead is undeniable. As the first season’s protagonist, he wasn’t just another survivor, he was a man searching for redemption. A former history professor with a troubled past, he found his second chance in the apocalypse, not by saving himself but by guiding Clementine.

Lee’s bond with Clementine is the emotional backbone of the story. Every lesson, every sacrifice, every impossible choice shaped her into the survivor she became. Whether teaching her how to shoot, shielding her from horrors, or delivering his final words, his presence never faded. Even in death, his influence lingered, his name spoken with reverence by those who knew him. His story may have ended, but his legacy lived on through Clementine – proof that in a world built on loss, some connections never die.

1

Clementine

Resilient Survivor Who Became A Leader Through Loss And Sacrifice

• Appeared in: The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series
• First Appearance: A New Day
• Last Appearance: Take Us Back
• Status: Alive

Clementine isn’t just one of Telltale’s best characters—she’s one of The Walking Dead’s strongest, period. Introduced as a wide-eyed kid in Season One, she grew into a battle-hardened survivor with a strong moral compass, making every gut-wrenching choice count. Raised by loss and betrayal, she adapted fast, trusting few but protecting those who mattered.

Lee Everett may have taught her the rules, but she rewrote them to survive. Sharp, resourceful, and always one step ahead, she faced every nightmare head-on, outlasting both the undead and the untrustworthy. Whether making impossible decisions or leading the charge, she proved time and again that she wasn’t just surviving, she was winning. By the time she took center stage, Clementine had already proven her legacy. So while the TV show never got her, the players did, and that impact still lingers.