The Walking Dead will return for its final run on October 2, 2022, leading up to its series finale on November 20, 2022, after 11 seasons. During that time, characters like Rick Grimes, Michonne Hawthorne, and Glenn Rhee have showcased their loyal nature. However, they’ve either been killed off or have left the show, which leaves several others in consideration.

Season 11 features many active characters who are loyal in various ways, ranging from long-running characters like Daryl Dixon to relative newcomers like Connie. What these protagonists all have in common is their dependability, and it’s worth looking into what makes them so reliable.

Carol Peletier Is Loyal To Herself First

Carol looking to her left in The Walking Dead

While she’s been part of the main group from the beginning, the majority of decisions Carol’s made in The Walking Dead have been for her own benefit. Her loyalty is toward the people she’s closest to, which can even alienate people from the group she hasn’t interacted with as much.

Still, her loyalty did show up when she dutifully rescued the protagonists from Terminus and when she agreed to fight against the Saviors in the all-out war arc. Apart from that, though, Carol has looked out for herself, which means her loyalty can be skewed when she doesn’t have anything to gain.

Maggie Rhee Is Begrudgingly Loyal

Maggie Rhee looking straight ahead in The Walking Dead

Maggie was among the most loyal characters to the group until Rick spared Negan’s life, which was an event that greatly changed Maggie’s characterization in The Walking Dead. Following this, Maggie’s loyalty went toward Glenn’s memory and the people that empathized with her hatred for Negan.

However, Maggie remains steadfast toward the protagonists in general, putting aside her need to kill Negan for the betterment of the group even if she hates having to do it. Maggie’s loyalty toward Rick had taken a hit later on, but she still had the Hilltop aid Alexandria in their time of need.

Connie Has Earned Others' Trust

Connie in The Walking Dead Season looking ahead, hair up, slight frown.

Connie hasn’t been in many situations where her loyalties can be questioned, but she also hasn’t made it appear that they would be under any threat. Connie quickly integrated herself into the community, winning the trust of people like Daryl, who rarely ever believe in anybody.

Connie’s spirit was shown when she refused to leave Virgil behind despite only meeting him a short while ago. She’s been looking after her sister all her life, which Kelly has been vocal about, and has wanted to repay Connie for sticking by her all this time.

Gabriel Stokes Has Overcome His Cowardice

Gabriel Stokes in the woods in The Walking Dead

It took a long time for the characters and even the fans to trust Gabriel after his cowardly ways earlier in the series. Gabriel tried to turn on Rick’s group after arriving at Alexandria before he realized that Rick was the leader they needed to get through the harsh times.

Gabriel has since been reformed into a very loyal person, someone whom the community looks up to as a model figure. Moreover, Gabriel’s loyalty was seen in an extreme way when he killed Dante for betraying the community, giving up his morality to avenge Siddiq’s death.

Rosita Espinosa Warmed Up To The Group

Rosita Espinosa holding a gun in The Walking Dead

Rosita originally only had loyalties for Abraham as his lover, although she never gave up on the likes of Eugene even though she had a low opinion of him. She eventually warmed up to the rest of the group and has been looking out for them ever since.

Rosita portrayed great loyalty when she was willing to get killed to spare the others after her attempt at Negan’s life failed. While she’s always taken her time to provide her support due to her suspecting nature, Rosita usually does come through and stand beside her allies.

Aaron Has Been Reliably Faithful

Aaron looking to his right in The Walking Dead

Aaron is a pretty underrated character since he doesn’t get much of the spotlight, yet has been around longer than most of the main cast. He’s never turned coat on the group, having become Rick’s confidante of sorts by the time the latter’s time on the show came to an end.

Aaron’s loyalty toward Eric was such that he didn’t want to leave him even when Eric was about to turn into a walker. His love for his adoptive daughter is such that Aaron has never made her think that he isn’t her biological parent. Aaron also harbored ill intentions toward Negan, but his trust in Rick was strong enough for him to stand down.

Judith Grimes Trusts Her Gut

Judith Grimes in the woods holding a gun in The Walking Dead

Judith is much like Rick in the way she believes in specific people and goes with her gut feeling about them. This was best seen when she trusted Negan to do right by Alexandria at a time when everyone else was convinced he would return to his bloodthirsty ways.

Judith’s loyalties extended toward people she had just met as well, seeing as she was the one who had guided Magna and Yumiko’s group to Alexandria and vouched for them. Judith is still young and relatively naive despite maturing considerably already, so there’s a chance she will have to make tougher decisions down the line.

Jerry Stayed Reliable Through Hard Times

Jerry wearing armor and looking to his right in The Walking Dead

Loyalty is pretty much the defining attribute of Jerry’s, as he believed in Ezekiel when the latter himself didn’t. Jerry kept his devotion to Ezekiel intact after the Kingdom fell as well, which went to show that he was never someone who simply followed the person in charge.

While people like Richard had become disillusioned by the Saviors’ control of the Kingdom, Jerry retained his optimistic personality because he believed in the strength of his people. Jerry’s always been a reliable person no matter where he resides, being a figure that represents a calming sense of dependability.

Ezekiel Stays Loyal Through Heartbreak And Tragedy

Ezekiel in the woods looking to his right in The Walking Dead

Ezekiel is considered among the best characters in The Walking Dead for being a kind, firm, and resolute person. His loyalties to the Kingdom lasted all the way through, as Ezekiel gave it his all to keep the community flourishing, which meant he had to hide the struggles they were going through.

Ezekiel’s loyalty to Carol was so great that he didn’t hold it against her for breaking his heart. Ezekiel had also lost his child, just as Carol did, but shouldered the burden to keep her from totally collapsing. He’s kept on the fight for survival for the protagonist so well that not even developing cancer stopped him from staying by their side.

Daryl Dixon Has Been Loyal Since The Beginning

Daryl Dixon looking to his left in The Walking Dead

Daryl has arguably suffered the greatest losses in The Walking Dead, ranging from the deaths of Glenn, Merle, Beth, and the disappearance of Rick. What made Daryl connect to these people was his absolute loyalty toward them, which is impressive considering how much he disagreed with them.

Daryl’s loyal nature has enabled him to forgive Carol for all the times she’s hurt him, along with empathizing with former villains like Dwight. Daryl appears to be an untrusting person, but he’s the one who goes the extra mile for his friends. After all, it was Daryl who looked for Rick for six years after he disappeared, showing just how endless his loyalty is.

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