n the post-apocalyptic world of “The Walking Dead,” gruesome death is practically an everyday occurrence. While graphic beheadings, bludgeonings and dismemberments might stand out as a bit unusual on shows like “Succession” or “The White Lotus,” on AMC’s iconic zombie series, they’re more or less par for the course.

That is, unless they happen to the right characters.

Calculating exactly how many deaths have occurred on “The Walking Dead” would take a supercomputer to figure out, after 11 seasons of non-stop mayhem and murder. And making matters even more complicated is the fact that, quite often, characters are killed twice on the show – first when they’re alive, and then a second time when they’ve become a walker.

What’s clear, however, is that not all victims are created equal. Some “Walking Dead” deaths hit much harder than others, and those deaths have occasionally shifted the direction of the story in bold new directions. As the series nears its conclusion, Variety has chosen — and ranked — 15 deaths that marked significant turning points, either in terms of tone, plot or character. A few of these picks received relatively little screentime on the series, but were chosen because the character’s demise had a lasting impact on the show. As for the handful of fan favorites that aren’t included, like Abraham (Michael Cudlitz), Jesus (Tom Payne) and Andrea (Laurie Holden), their deaths, while noteworthy, were less consequential overall than those ranked here.

Jessie Anderson

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

Doomed Alexandrian mom Jessie Anderson (Alexandra Breckenridge) might seem like a left-field choice to include on this list, but don’t tell that to Andrew Lincoln, who credits Jessie with unlocking a vital part of Rick Grimes’ humanity that had been missing since the death of his wife, Lori. After barely surviving the cannibals at Terminus and the savagery of the Claimers, Rick and his crew arrived at the gates of Alexandria bruised and bloody, and it was Jessie who nurtured Rick back from his shell-shocked state. More important, her death opened Rick’s eyes, allowing him to see clearly that his true soulmate, Michonne (Danai Gurira), was standing by his side the entire time. So on behalf of everyone who shipped “Richonne,” a debt of gratitude is owed to the dearly departed Jessie. Had she made it through that horde of walkers alive, Rick might have ended up with the wrong woman!

Penny Blake

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

Pre-teen Penny Blake (Kylie Szymanski) made her gory debut on “The Walking Dead” in the third season, when it was revealed that her father, Philip Blake, aka the Governor (David Morrissey) was keeping her reanimated corpse chained up in a secret room in Woodbury so he could serenade her with creepy lullabies and feed her buckets of human flesh. Viewers soon learned that the death of his precious daughter had sent the Governor into an emotional tailspin from which he never recovered. Blaming himself for not being cold-blooded enough to protect her when she was alive, the Governor took the complete opposite tact after her death, transforming himself into a psychotic dictator, hell-bent on maintaining law and order at all cost. In that way, Penny’s death was the motivating factor in the formation of the series’ first major villain. Just imagine how much violence and horror could have been avoided had she survived.

Shiva

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

No moment on “The Walking Dead” was more delightfully unexpected than the very first appearance of Shiva, the domesticated tiger raised by former zookeeper King Ezekiel (Khary Payton). Introduced in the seventh season, her addition to the show added a much-needed element of wonder and fantasy to the story, and helped lighten the oppressive post-apocalyptic grimness that occasionally has overwhelmed the series. Sadly, Shiva’s death in Season 8 brought bleak reality crashing back down again. Always an inspiring and hopeful character, Ezekiel’s demeanor changed after the loss of his four-legged companion, who sacrificed herself to save him from a group of walkers. With Shiva gone, something magical was lost forever on “The Walking Dead.” Three seasons after her death, it’s revealed that Ezekiel still has Shiva’s leash as a keepsake, and characters who knew her still honor her memory by dressing as tigers for Halloween in the Commonwealth.

Duane Jones

Photo : Courtesy of AMC

The son of popular recurring character Morgan Jones (Lennie James), 10-year old Duane Jones (Adrian Kali Turner) appeared only in the first episode of the series, and he was very much alive when last seen on the show. But in the classic third season episode titled “Clear,” viewers learned that Duane was later attacked and bitten by his own reanimated mother, and he eventually turned into a walker himself. His tragic death broke something elemental in Morgan’s mind and spirit, and the consequences of that loss still resonate on the show, years after Duane’s off-screen passing. Even on “Fear the Walking Dead,” Morgan continues to grapple with the death of his only son. The ripple effects of this loss are surprisingly far-reaching.

Shane Walsh

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

On most action-horror shows, fearless Sheriff’s Deputy Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal) would be a loyal and stalwart partner to his best buddy, Rick Grimes. But “The Walking Dead” is not like other action-horror shows. Over the course of the first two seasons, viewers watched with mounting dread as Shane evolved from a trustworthy friend to a jealous killer whose rage threatened to destroy everyone around him. Rick was never quite the same after stabbing his former sidekick in the chest in self-defense, and neither was 12-year-old Carl (Chandler Riggs) after shooting the reanimated Shane in the head moments later. With the death of Shane, “The Walking Dead” declared to millions of fans that all bets were off.

Lori Grimes

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

In the comic book series that inspired the TV show, the death of Lori Grimes came as a sudden ghastly shock. Fleeing from the Governor with her newborn daughter in her arms, the comic book Lori was hit with a close-range shotgun blast and fell to the ground, crushing her baby in the process. Thankfully, the producers of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” reimagined that horrific incident. This time, Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) dies in childbirth as Maggie performs an emergency Caesarean section, delivering baby Judith safe and sound. With Carl by her side, Lori imparts a few final comforting words to her traumatized son before bleeding to death. Opting to put his own mother down before she turns, Carl emerges from this shattering scene a profoundly different boy. The loss hits Rick even harder in some respects. Quite literally haunted by the senseless death of his wife, he spent the next several episodes seeing visions of Lori, which threatened the safety and well-being of the entire group.

Lizzie and Mika Samuels

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

In a sense, there are three distinct Carol Peletiers. The first is the abused wife and mother introduced in the debut season of “The Walking Dead.” The second is the broken woman she became following the loss of her daughter in Season 2. And the third is the resilient survivalist who emerged fully formed at the end of the classic Season 4 episode, “The Grove.” This unforgettable hour of television culminated with Carol (Melissa McBride) executing 12-year old Lizzie Samuels (Brighton Sharbino), who had just murdered her younger sister Mika (Kyla Kenedy). The emotional repercussions of the Samuels sisters’ deaths continued to echo for several more seasons, and eventually helped forge Carol into one of the most efficient fighters and tacticians on the show. Few other moments in the series’ history have resonated as strongly as the deaths of these two unfortunate children.

Sasha Williams

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

Considering how unbearably horrific the world of “The Walking Dead” is, it’s not entirely surprising that many characters on the show have taken their own lives. Some, like Jacqui from Season 1, did it to escape the existential nightmare that awaited them. Others, like Nicholas from Seasons 5 and 6, did it in a moment of sheer panic. But when fierce warrior Sasha Williams (Sonequa Martin-Green) died by suicide in Season 7, it was a strategic chess move that helped turn the tide in the war against the Saviors. By secretly swallowing a cyanide pill at exactly the right moment, Sasha transformed herself into a walker, surprising Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and delaying his plan in the process. Her sacrifice bought Rick and the group enough valuable time for the forces from the Kingdom and Hilltop to arrive and save the day. Without Sasha’s selfless act, Negan and the Saviors would have decimated the Alexandrians in one fell swoop.

Alpha

Photo : Courtesy of Jace Downs/AMC

Much like the James Bond film franchise, “The Walking Dead” is justifiably famous for its bizarre array of larger-than-life villains, each more colorful than the last. And none was stranger, or deadlier, than Alpha (Samantha Morton) – the big, bad, bald leader of the Whisperers. A foe unlike any that Daryl and his friends had ever faced, Alpha’s cult-like hold over her masked minions almost brought an end to the show’s heroes several times. But a secret pact between Carol and Negan eventually led to her death, and not a moment too soon. Lured to an abandoned cabin with the promise of finally being able to kill her own daughter, Alpha’s head was separated from her neck by Negan, who later presented it as a gruesome trophy to Carol. With Alpha dead and only Beta left in command, the Whisperers didn’t last much longer. But had she managed to survive Negan’s trap, her victory was all but assured.

Hershel Greene

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

A fount of folksy wisdom and a mensch who would rather plant seeds in a garden than bodies in their graves, Hershel Greene was the fatherly conscience on “The Walking Dead” from Season 2 until his vicious beheading by the Governor in Season 4. With Hershel’s untimely death, Rick lost an important ally whose peaceful philosophy helped bring him back from the brink of madness following the loss of Lori. Hershel’s grisly fate initiated one of the darkest periods in the series’ history, and his absence continued to reverberate for many seasons afterward. But his enduring legacy of hope continues, most obviously in the son of Maggie and Glenn, who is quite literally named after his benevolent grandfather. Special mention is due, of course, to the late actor Scott Wilson, whose nuanced portrayal of Hershel left an indelible mark on the show’s fans, cast and crew members alike.

Enid, Tara and Henry

Photo : Courtesy of Jackson Lee Davis/AMC

For the purpose of this list, the deaths of Enid, Tara and Henry (Katelyn Nacon, Alanna Masterson and Matt Lintz) are being counted as one, and the reason for that is simple. Although each of them was a deeply cherished character in their own rights, their simultaneous murder at the hands of Alpha and the Whisperers is what gave their deaths such a devastating impact. The staggering blow their killings dealt to Daryl, Carol, Ezekiel and the rest of the group is incalculable, and the void they left behind hasn’t been filled since. Never before had so many main characters on the show been wiped out all at once. Across social media, fans of “The Walking Dead” instantly drew parallels between this episode – titled “The Calm Before” – and the “Red Wedding” episode of “Game of Thrones,” and the comparison makes perfect sense. If anyone doubted the ruthlessness of the Whisperers before this episode, the synchronized massacre of so many popular characters put those doubts to rest, permanently.

Sophia Peletier

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

The death of Carol’s 12-year-old daughter Sophia (Madison Lintz) was the first major gut punch on “The Walking Dead,” and set a powerful tone for the series that never abated. Much of Season 2 focused on the desperate search for the missing girl, who was separated from her mother and friends when a horde of walkers ambushed the group on a remote highway. Despite their best efforts, Sophia’s reanimated corpse eventually stumbled out of Hershel’s barn, shocking Rick and his cohorts, and stunning millions of TV viewers around the world. Her death proved that no character, no matter how young or innocent, was safe on “The Walking Dead.” In future seasons, Sophia’s tragic demise continued to weigh heavily on Carol, and it was instrumental in turning her from a meek and helpless victim to a confident and deadly warrior.

Merle Dixon

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

In the grand scheme of things, the death of Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) might not seem that important. After all, he was basically a violent, racist, misogynistic creep whose hair-trigger temper and abrasive personality often put Rick and the others in jeopardy during the first three seasons of the show. But he was also Daryl’s older brother, and his death paved the way for Daryl’s eventual transformation into the honorable character fans came to know and love. If Merle had lived longer, his corrupting influence over Daryl might have grown stronger, and it’s hard to imagine Daryl ever stepping out from beneath his looming shadow. Think about the heartfelt scene between Daryl and Rick in Season 4, where they declare themselves brothers for life. Would that emotional exchange have been possible with Merle still in the picture? Not likely.

Carl Grimes

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

Over the course of eight seasons, fans watched as Carl Grimes grew before their eyes from a frightened little boy to a self-possessed young man whose courage and integrity inspired positive change in even the darkest souls (that means you, Negan). Bitten by a walker while searching for Siddiq, Carl revealed his terminal condition to Rick and Michonne while hiding in the sewers beneath Alexandria. His death by self-inflicted gunshot remains one of the most powerful moments of the entire series, and it marked a major turning point in the group’s battle with the Saviors. Even in death, Carl’s influence continued, thanks to the personal letters he penned for each of the main characters, including his father’s bat-wielding archenemy. Curiously, Carl almost died twice during the series; once when he was accidentally shot in the stomach by Otis in Season 2, and again when he was shot in the eye by Ron in Season 6. Fittingly, it was while on a mission of mercy to help someone in need that he acquired his lethal bite. A noble end for a principled character.

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Glenn Rhee

Photo : Courtesy of Gene Page/AMC

The graphic murder of Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun), one of the original and most beloved characters on “The Walking Dead,” not only changed the tone and the storyline of the show forever, it may well have affected the show’s viewership. Ratings dropped substantially following the controversial Season 7 premiere that saw Negan brutally bludgeon Glenn to death with his infamous barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat. The savage sequence, depicted in grotesque close-up, divided fans down the middle. Longtime comic book readers appreciated the scene’s faithful recreation of Glenn’s illustrated death, while many TV fans felt it crossed a line in terms of its unflinching cruelty and stomach-churning violence. Even Jeffrey Dean Morgan has stated that he feels the scene was probably a bad idea. Glenn’s death was so momentous, in fact, it arguably overshadowed Abraham’s death, which occurred mere seconds earlier. Regardless of how you feel about the way it was handled, one thing is clear: no death in the history of “The Walking Dead” left a bigger impression on fans than the demise of Glenn.