The Walking Dead features some of the very worst of humanity as the world falls apart, leading to a treacherous post-apocalyptic landscape through which its main characters must attempt to survive. Nevertheless, despite all the evil present in the ruins of the world, unbreakable bonds are forged between those who would fight for the cause of good and right.
Along the way, fan-favorite character Daryl Dixon, portrayed by Norman Reedus, has created many of these bonds with mostly like-minded individuals. Having found his place in this new world, Daryl has also found several survivors whom he can call friends.
Merle Dixon
The Walking Dead never shied away from the tenuous, and often abusive, relationship between Daryl Dixon and his brother Merle (Michael Rooker). Both introduced in the show's first season, it became clear that the younger Dixon was not quite as jaded and cynical as his brother, a trait which would come back to divide the duo in later storylines.
Despite their differences, it was clear that Daryl and Merle had a genuine love for one another, often stopping at nothing to make sure that the other was safe. While Daryl would go on to outlive Merle, the older Dixon brother remained one of the few people Daryl allowed close to his heart.
Maggie Rhee
Lauren Cohan's Maggie Rhee quickly became a staple of the series after her introduction in the second season. First starting a relationship with Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun), Maggie would turn into a well-rounded leader among the group, going on to command two distinct communities in her later years.
Daryl and Maggie were always on good terms but grew closer after Glenn's death. Despite feeling directly responsible for the death of Maggie's husband, Daryl found redemption in Maggie's forgiveness, leading to a stronger bond between the two. However, Maggie and Daryl will have much to work through before the end of The Walking Dead, as the Commonwealth's arrival seems to have torn them apart.
Judith Grimes
Judith Grimes, played by child actress Cailey Fleming, has appeared on the series since her birth in season 3, only becoming a major character after the time jump following her father Rick's departure from the series in Season 9. In recent seasons, Daryl has become her de facto father figure, creating a compelling dynamic between the two characters.
Even before becoming Judith's primary caregiver, there was a clear bond between Daryl and the middle Grimes child, who had already dubbed him "Uncle Daryl." Since taking her under his wing, however, Daryl has only grown closer to Judith, filling in as the parent that her father didn't get the chance to be.
Rosita Espinosa
Rosita Espinosa joined the main group in the latter episodes of season 4 as a part of Abraham Ford's dwindling team set on saving the world. Played by Christian Serratos, Rosita quickly became an integral cast member of the group, and a dear friend of Daryl's.
Daryl and Rosita's friendship has been a somewhat subtle one on the series, with the two not appearing on screen together often. However, the two have shared some of their most formative experiences with one another, from being captured by Negan on an ill-advised revenge mission to joining the Commonwealth peacekeeping force. It seems that their relationship will continue to come into play as they discover more and more unsavory truths about the Commonwealth leadership.
Glenn Rhee
Glenn Rhee was a longtime fan favorite cast member on the series, whose childlike antics in the earlier seasons added some levity to an otherwise very dark show. As his storyline progressed, Glenn became one of the most capable survivors of Rick's group until his tragic death at the hands of Negan in the season 7 premiere. Even years later, Glenn remains a character that fans are desperate to see more of, perhaps in Tales of the Walking Dead, the upcoming anthology series.
Daryl and Glenn were both a part of Rick's preliminary group of survivors in the early seasons of the series, following the former sheriff's deputy through thick and thin. As their numbers grew and dwindled, they both remained a part of Rick's inner circle, forging a brotherhood between the three survivors that not even death was able to break.
Michonne
Danai Gurira's Michonne was a mainstay of The Walking Dead from her introduction in the third season until her sudden departure in season 10. In her time on the series, she grew from a hardened loner into a dutiful leader and loving mother that still knew how to get her hands dirty when necessary.
In their time together at the prison community, Daryl and Michonne grew close as the primary supply runners, also carrying out an ongoing investigation to find the missing Governor (David Morrissey). By the time Michonne departed from the group, she had grown to trust Daryl enough to entrust the care of her two children, Judith and RJ, to him while she was away.
Beth Greene
One stand-out character from the early seasons of The Walking Dead was Emily Kinney's Beth Greene, the sister of Maggie and daughter of Hershel (Scott Wilson). Over time, she grew from a relatively minor character to a series lead, until her tragic death made history as one of the most shocking things to ever happen on The Walking Dead.
Shortly before her death, Daryl and Beth formed a somewhat surprising friendship while separated from the rest of the group following the prison's destruction. Despite their very different histories, the two seemed headed for a romantic relationship, a future that was cut short when Beth was kidnapped and eventually killed by Dawn Lerner's community in season 5.
Connie
Eternals' Lauren Ridloff is a relatively new addition to The Walking Dead cast as Connie, the former reporter who also happens to be the series' first Deaf character. In her short time on the series thus far, Connie has become one of its most interesting characters, whose storylines involving Daryl prove to be especially intriguing to fans.
Connie and Daryl became fast friends after the former's arrival in Alexandria, with a clear spark of attraction igniting between the two. Daryl even went so far as to begin learning ASL in order to better communicate with Connie. Now that the two have been reunited following a long stint apart, Daryl and Connie are picking things up where they left off, much to fans' delight.
Rick Grimes
As the primary leader of the show's main cast throughout the first nine seasons, it became the duty of former sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) to find reliable allies who he could trust in an increasingly dangerous world. While he found several trustworthy individuals to fill such a role, none became as trusted in his eyes as Daryl Dixon.
Though their relationship got off to a rocky start after Rick left Daryl's brother Merle handcuffed on an Atlanta rooftop, the two eventually grew into a brotherhood based on mutual respect and brotherly love. The two were The Walking Dead's dynamic duo until Rick's sudden disappearance, which is something Daryl is still struggling to work through in Season 11.
Carol Peletier
Melissa McBride's Carol Peletier has become a staple of the post-apocalyptic zombie series, having grown from a timid housewife into the most fearsome warrior in the entire franchise. In her impressive character arc, she has grown to be a capable survivor, as well as a loving friend, though no character has quite enjoyed her friendship as much as Daryl Dixon himself.
Daryl and Carol were some of the very first members of Rick's group to forge so meaningful a bond in the early seasons, which has managed to last all the way until the show's final outing. Though they have had their rough patches, when the going gets tough, both know that the other will have their back. As the last two remaining characters from the show's first season, the two have a legacy unlike any other duo on the series, one which will carry on in the upcoming spinoff series based around their continuing adventures.