Since the show began in 2010, The Walking Dead has been full of interesting and memorable characters, but the series has always had a rotating cast. Throughout the main show’s 11 seasons, there were naturally plenty of big deaths and departures, meaning some of the franchise’s biggest characters didn’t make it to The Walking Dead‘s finale. Even the franchise’s lead character, Rick Grimes, departed the show in season 9, meaning his run of consecutive appearances was broken.

Andrew Lincoln did briefly return as Rick in the finale, and finally made his full return during The Ones Who Live. However, despite the excitement of Rick being back in The Walking Dead universe, he may have lost his status as the main character. After Rick Grimes’ Walking Dead disappearance in season 9, one character stepped up to fill his role and carry the season forward. The show didn’t have a formal protagonist after Rick, but one actor who has been on the show since its first season became the face of the franchise and continued their stunning acting record.

Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.

Daryl Dixon Season 2 Marks Norman Reedus’ 15th Consecutive Year Of Playing Daryl

Norman Reedus Has Played Daryl Dixon Every Year Since The Walking Dead Began In 2010

Norman Reedus’ Walking Dead spinoff, Daryl Dixon, is scheduled to return in the summer, and season 2 will mark the actor’s 15th consecutive year of playing the character. Having made his Walking Dead debut in season 1, episode 3, Reedus has remained a mainstay ever since. Although his initial role seemed like nothing more than a side character, Daryl quickly became a fan favorite and continued to appear in the franchise every year. The Walking Dead produced main show content every single year from 2010-2022, and Reedus was involved in each season, allowing him to accumulate an incredible streak.

Although the show came to an end in 2022, this didn’t stop Reedus from reprising his role as Daryl in his 2023 spinoff. Naturally, the Daryl Dixon spinoff centered around Reedus’ character, and season 2 being scheduled for a 2024 release means it will be 15 years in a row that Reedus has appeared as a main character. Unsurprisingly, this makes Daryl one of the longest surviving Walking Dead characters, with Reedus having the most appearances in the franchise. As a result, Daryl has become one of The Walking Dead‘s most iconic characters and its honorary protagonist in recent years.

Reedus’ Record Is Even More Impressive Given Daryl’s Walking Dead Origins

Daryl Dixon Was A Character Created Specifically For The TV Series

Given Daryl Dixon never appeared in The Walking Dead comics, Reedus’ acting streak is even more impressive. Daryl was a character designed specifically for the TV series and wasn’t even part of the show’s original plans. Although The Walking Dead cast Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, the actor originally auditioned for the role of Merle, and was desperate to be part of the show, regardless of how big his part was. Reedus’ audition was so impressive that the season 1 showrunner, Frank Darabont, created a new character specifically for him, which led to the creation of the iconic Daryl Dixon.

Daryl instantly became a fan favorite and his support from the audience led to him becoming the most frequently reoccurring character in the entire television series.

Considering he wasn’t part of the source material, Daryl was originally supposed to be killed off early in the series, but his popularity kept him alive. Daryl instantly became a fan favorite and his support from the audience led to him becoming the most frequently reoccurring character in the entire television series. This makes Reedus’ record all the more impressive as the popularity of Daryl can be credited almost entirely to him. He inspired the creation of the character and nailed the role so much that he would become the face of the franchise, earning this phenomenal acting streak.

The Ones Who Live just featured its biggest death yet, which puts an end to an impressive 7-year acting streak from one Walking Dead veteran.

Daryl Dixon Has Appeared More Than Rick Grimes (Who’s The Real Main Character?)

Daryl Featuring More Than Rick Creates Questions About Who The Franchise’s True Protagonist Is

Rick Grimes may be The Walking Dead‘s original protagonist, but Daryl Dixon has had more appearances, creating questions about who the franchise’s real protagonist is. Season 1 began with Rick waking from a coma and the show continued to center around him up until his season 9 departure. However, as the seasons went on, more and more characters were introduced to The Walking Dead universe, and storylines were split up, which meant Rick had less screen time as the series progressed. He was still the focal point of the series, but characters like Daryl became equally important.

By the time season 9 came around, there was already a plethora of pivotal characters other than Rick, who stepped up after he left the show. While Daryl wasn’t the only one to embrace this new central role, he was the closest thing to Rick’s replacement, especially as he became Judith’s main parental figure after Michonne left. Daryl was at the heart of many storylines after Rick left, including the Whisperer War, the Reapers storyline, and the Commonwealth arc. This proved how valuable he was to the franchise and highlighted that he had essentially taken Rick’s role in the series.

With Rick back in the picture, he will likely return to the spotlight and reclaim his role as the franchise’s protagonist.

Considering Daryl was one of several Walking Dead characters who were supposed to die earlier, his survival wound up being pivotal to the show’s last few seasons. He is the only character to get a solo spinoff, and while Carol has since joined the show, Daryl Dixon is a sign that Reedus is critical to The Walking Dead‘s future. With Rick back in the picture, he will likely return to the spotlight and reclaim his role as the franchise’s protagonist, but Daryl’s impact means he has become a main character in his own way and is just as influential as Rick.

Norman Reedus’ Daryl Dixon has featured in more episodes of The Walking Dead than any other character, appearing in 148 out of the main show’s 177 episodes.

Melissa McBride Technically Shares Norman Reedus’ Walking Dead Record

Melissa McBride’s Carol Has Also Appeared Every Year Since The Walking Dead Began

Despite how impressive Norman Reedus’ Walking Dead record is, he technically shares this with Melissa McBride. McBride has played Carol since season 1, and, like Reedus, has appeared in every season since. While she replicated Reedus’ streak on the main show, McBride didn’t have her own spinoff, yet this didn’t prevent her from matching his record. Carol had a small cameo in the Daryl Dixon spinoff, meaning she has also appeared as a main Walking Dead character every year since its inception. Given she will play a bigger role in Daryl Dixon season 2, her streak will also continue.

McBride’s 2023 role was nowhere near as prominent as Reedus’, but she did still technically match his achievement. Given Daryl Dixon looks set for a third season, the actors will likely extend this run into 2025, and it could continue beyond with a potential crossover show still on the cards. Season 1 didn’t seem to indicate that either Carol or Daryl would become central characters, but McBride and Reedus’ commitment to their roles means they are approaching 15 consecutive years of Walking Dead appearances, surpassing any other cast member and setting a seemingly unbeatable franchise record.