'The Walking Dead' Season 10: From Daryl to Alpha, here's our pick of the best 5 characters from the show

This season we've had some delightful performances and excellent character moments from across the board so it's pretty hard to pick the absolute best
Norman Reedus (IMDb)
Norman Reedus (IMDb)

'The Walking Dead' has had some great characters featured in its 10-season run on AMC. This season we've had some delightful performances and excellent character moments from across the board so it's pretty hard to pick the absolute best. 

With the Season 10 finale inching closer (though it's still quite some time away), here are the characters without whom 'The Walking Dead' Season 10 would be a complete waste of time:

5) Ezekiel

Khary Payton (AMC)

The former King of the Kingdom community has lost quite a lot over the years and Season 10 drives the proverbial nail in the coffin by revealing that Ezekiel (Khary Payton) has developed thyroid cancer. In the world of 'The Walking Dead', that's pretty much an assured death but his impending doom has only made Ezekiel shine brighter. 

There's a pretty good chance Ezekiel might not make it beyond the finale but he will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him, the audience included. His bravery, his commitment to his people, and his desire to keep their legacy alive even after his own death make Ezekiel a true inspiration. And for a man who lives and breathes theatrics, what better way could there be to make his final exit?

4) Beta

Ryan Hurst as Beta in 'The Walking Dead' (AMC)

To call Beta (Ryan Hurst) a complicated character would be a massive understatement. The former second-in-command and current leader of the Whisperers is a force of nature, a commanding presence and a stone-cold killer.

Beta is one of those characters who would fit perfectly well in a classic slasher film. There's something very 'Halloween'-esque about the character and the fact that he was a normal man (perhaps even a good one) before the outbreak, just makes him a truly tragic and beautifully written villain.

3) Daryl

Norman Reedus (AMC)

At this point, Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) is the undisputed lead protagonist of the series so it's pretty understandable that he's had a major character arc in Season 10. Over the years, the character has evolved into a well-rounded leader and his survival skills are probably better than anyone else on the show.

By the end of the season's penultimate episode, Daryl has truly become a hero for the survivors, maybe not on the same level as Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) but close enough. The only reason he isn't at the top of this list is because while he's been great this season, these two have been better.

2) Alpha

Samantha Morton (AMC)

If this was a list of the best villains in 'The Walking Dead', Alpha (Samantha Morton) would be at the very top. The character has a powerful arc in Season 10 and as the main antagonist, this season wouldn't have been possible without her.

While her weird kinks might have grossed us out, she was still one of the most complex characters we've seen on the show and it's worth noting that the only way she could be killed was through deceit. And that brings us to the man at the very top of this list.

1) Negan

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (IMDb)

It's so very difficult to hate Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) even though there's plenty of reasons to. When he was introduced, Negan was a monster, a maniac, and a villain but while some might argue that he's still all of those things, the character has seriously grown up in recent times, especially in Season 10. 

From killing Alpha to comforting Lydia (Cassady McClincy), this season has shown us the full range of what Negan can be and do and we sincerely hope he survives to the very end. But then again, this is 'The Walking Dead' so anything is possible.

The final episode of 'The Walking Dead' Season 10 has been delayed indefinitely as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but the episode will be airing sometime later this year, exclusively on AMC. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Netflix is keeping the newcomers’ roles under wraps as the Brannocks’ story continues in Season 2.
2026-10-22T20:18:00.000Z
Kelly Reilly reflects on Beth Dutton’s new chapter in South Texas as the hit Yellowstone spin-off 'Dutton Ranch' prepares to continue its story.
2026-10-22T19:52:53.000Z
CBS’ November 8 lineup update raises questions about new episodes and where viewers can catch up.
2026-10-22T19:13:30.000Z
The 'Outlander' is set to play a ruthless agent in Viola Davis’ corporate thriller for Paramount+, as the series expands its cast.
2026-10-22T18:34:33.000Z
Mike Flanagan reimagines Stephen King’s 'Carrie,' following a bullied teenager whose emerging telekinetic powers collide with family struggles.
2026-10-22T16:22:15.000Z
'Swipe Right on the Devil' traces how a Tinder date led investigators to Sydney Loofe’s killers and reveals where they are now.
2026-10-22T16:13:09.000Z
James Marsden’s CIA thriller adds a series regular, but one key detail remains missing.
2026-10-22T15:04:13.000Z
'Heated Rivalry' follows hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as their secret romance evolves, with Season 2 expected in 2027.
2026-10-22T14:30:52.000Z
In Episode 7, Morgan and Sasha travel to New York, where things take a turn
2026-10-22T11:48:37.000Z
Natalee Holloway set off on an adventure with her friends to Aruba and never came back
2026-10-22T10:19:30.000Z